Canon A800 vs Olympus VH-515: A Practical Compact Camera Showdown for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing a compact camera can sometimes feel like navigating a maze of overlapping specs and vague claims. I’ve spent years testing cameras from the smallest point-and-shoots to full-frame beasts, and I often remind myself (and readers) that real-world use trumps spec sheets every time. Today, let’s dissect two small-sensor compacts that might seem similar at first glance but reveal quite different personalities when you dig deeper: the Canon PowerShot A800 and the Olympus VH-515.

Both hail from the early 2010s and cater to those wanting pocketable convenience without total sacrifice of image quality or features. But how do they compare when you hold them, use them in varied scenarios, and push their capabilities? I’ll walk you through what I discovered - balancing technical scrutiny with practical photography insights aimed squarely at enthusiasts and pros on a budget or a second camera hunt.

Let’s start with the basics.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

Picking up each camera, you notice immediately the Canon A800’s compact blocky design versus the sleeker profile of the Olympus VH-515. The Canon is a bit shorter but thicker, whereas the Olympus stretches out horizontally with a notably slimmer waistline.

The Canon’s dimensions (94×61×31 mm) and heft (186g with batteries) give it a solid feel in hand without being bulky. It’s grip-friendly, if minimalistic, with a smooth finish that might challenge idea-level comfort during long shoots - but still manageable.

Olympus VH-515 is longer but thinner (102×60×21 mm) and lighter at 152g, sporting a flatter body that slips easier into pockets but offers less tactile grip substance. It feels nimble, but I missed some extra contouring that would help when shooting on the street or in bustling travel contexts.

Both cameras lack rubberized surfaces or advanced ergonomics you’d find on enthusiast cameras, but the small sensor compact category typically trades off handhold finesse for portability. Between the two, I prefer the Canon’s sturdier in-hand vibe for longer sessions, while the Olympus caters better to grab-and-go spontaneity.

A glance up top separates their control philosophies nicely:

The Canon has basic but direct physical controls - a zoom lever wrapped around the shutter button, mode dial absent, and few function buttons. Olympus integrates its zoom with a similar rocker, but adds an accessible dedicated macro button, and the touchscreen interface opens new possibilities (more on that later).

In short, ergonomics favors Canon for comfort and Olympus for mobility and touchscreen ease.

Sensor and Image Quality: A Tale of Two Small Sensors

Both cameras use the universally beloved 1/2.3” sensor size, measuring roughly 6.17 x 4.55 mm with approximately 28 square millimeters of active area. But the tech inside, pixel counts, and processing tell distinct stories.

Canon A800 sports a 10-megapixel CCD sensor, paired with Canon’s DIGIC 3 processor. CCD sensors, once the gold standard for image quality, were favored for color fidelity and noise characteristics but have largely been replaced by CMOS in compact cameras due to power efficiency and speed.

Olympus VH-515, on the other hand, boasts a newer 12-megapixel back-side illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor with TruePic III+ processor. BSI sensors improve low-light gathering by flipping wiring behind the photodiodes, which typically results in cleaner high ISO performance and better dynamic range.

In practical terms, the Olympus edges out the Canon in:

• Resolution, offering 4608×3456 maximum images vs. Canon's 3648×2736
• Sensor tech advantages favoring improved noise control at higher ISOs
• Slightly higher base ISO of 100 (versus 80 on Canon), though neither excels in pushing sensitivities beyond 1600

From real-world shooting, the Canon’s images have a warm rendering characteristic, pleasant for everyday use but somewhat softer edges and less detail especially when pixel-peeping. Olympus images are sharper, with more accurate colors and better noise suppression at night or dim interiors.

However, neither camera supports RAW capture, limiting post-processing flexibility - a definite downside for pros but acceptable for casual or travel snaps.

LCD Screens and Interface: How You See Your Shots Matters

With no electronic viewfinders on either - and seriously, at this price, it’s no surprise - the LCD becomes your primary framing and reviewing tool. How does each camera stack up?

Olympus VH-515 offers a 3.0-inch TFT LCD with 460k dots, which is generally brighter, more vivid, and noticeably easier to view even in daylight. Plus, the touchscreen adds useful tap-to-focus and menu navigation - remarkably handy when juggling settings on the fly.

Canon’s A800 sticks to a 2.5-inch TFT LCD with only 115k dots, making it dimmer and grainier, especially outdoors. It’s fixed type with no touch capability, so you’re limited to button-pressing, which works but lacks the snappy precision users expect today.

For travel and street photographers wanting quick adjustments and clear previews, Olympus offers a tangible usability advantage.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching the Moment

While both cameras feature no manual focus option, autofocus systems are crucial to note. Canon A800 includes a 9-point contrast detection AF system with face detection, whereas Olympus employs contrast detection with face detection on touchscreen but no detailed focus point count provided.

In burst and continuous shooting, Canon manages only 1 fps continuous shooting, quite sluggish by any measure - not ideal for action, sports, or wildlife. Olympus doubles this at 2 fps, still modest but comparatively better for fleeting moments.

Face detection and tracking are present and functional on both but feel less refined than modern cameras - hence, expect occasional focus hunting, especially in low light or complex compositions.

Lens Ranges and Performance: Versatility Versus Reach

Both cameras carry fixed zoom lenses, standard for compacts.

• Canon A800: 37-122 mm equivalent (3.3× zoom), max aperture f/3.0-5.8
• Olympus VH-515: 26-130 mm equivalent (5× zoom), max aperture f/2.8-6.5

Olympus offers a wider starting focal length, ideal for landscapes and street photos needing more expansive framing. Its longer 130 mm reach also edges out Canon marginally for casual telephoto needs, though neither is particularly suited for wildlife or sports telephoto ranges.

The Canon’s lens starts brighter at f/3.0 wide, aiding shallow depth of field and low light marginally better, while Olympus's f/2.8 aperture at the widest end is a real advantage when framing in dim environments or shooting portraits.

Macro performance is another dimension:

• Canon A800 achieves macro down to 1 cm, pretty impressive for a compact.
• Olympus VH-515 macro minimum focusing distance is 5 cm, a bit less intimate but still usable.

If you’re into tight close-ups, Canon’s lens offers more flexibility.

Flash and Stabilization: Low Light Help

The built-in flash on the Olympus extends up to about 4.7 meters compared to Canon’s shorter 3-meter range, both with multiple modes including auto, red-eye reduction, and slow sync (Canon offers slow sync, Olympus adds fill-in). Olympus offers a more versatile flash setup, helpful in various lighting scenarios.

Regarding stabilization, Canon A800 lacks any form of image stabilization - a regrettable omission that can hamper handheld shooting especially at telephoto zoom or low shutter speed.

Olympus counters with sensor-shift stabilization, providing a noticeable advantage in reducing blur from hand shake in most shooting situations. This alone can make a difference when shooting indoors or on the go.

Video Capabilities: Modest but Present

Neither is a video powerhouse, but Olympus VH-515 takes the lead with 1080p Full HD recording at 30 fps using efficient H.264 codec, suitable for casual HD video capture.

Canon lags behind, maxing out at VGA 640×480 resolution at 30 fps with Motion JPEG format - quite outdated and barely acceptable for today’s standards.

No microphone or headphone ports exist on either, meaning these cameras target casual rather than semi-pro video work.

Battery and Storage: Practical Considerations

The Canon A800 runs on two AA batteries - a practical, globally available choice, but heavier over time and less eco-friendly. Olympus uses proprietary LI-50B lithium-ion batteries, which are lighter and rechargeable but require you to carry a charger.

From my testing, Canon offers about 300 shots per battery set, average for alkaline AAs. Olympus's exact battery life isn’t stated but generally, Olympus lithium-ion batteries of this class deliver similar or better endurance.

Storage-wise, both accept SD and SDHC cards, with Olympus also compatible with SDXC.

Real-World Photography Use Cases: Who Should Choose Which?

I gathered sample images from both cameras under varied conditions to illustrate their behavior.

Canon A800 front Canon A800 screen back Olympus VH 515 front Olympus VH 515 screen back

Portrait Photography:
Olympus’s wider aperture and touchscreen focusing make it easier to isolate subjects and nail skin tones, while Canon’s softer rendering may be more forgiving but less vibrant. Eye detection is basic on both but usable in good light.

Landscape Photography:
Olympus delivers better resolution and improved dynamic range, making landscapes pop and retain detail in shadows and highlights. Canon gives decent results but with limited file sizes for large prints.

Wildlife and Sports:
Neither camera is designed for fast action. Olympus’s doubled burst rate and slightly longer zoom help but expect challenges tracking moving subjects. Canon’s sluggish 1 fps limits options severely here.

Street Photography:
Olympus edges ahead with its smaller profile, touchscreen quick controls, and higher resolution images. Canon’s thicker build and slower responsiveness might slow you down.

Macro Photography:
Canon shines with its 1cm close focus; great for flower or insect close-ups. Olympus okay but less intimate.

Night and Astro:
Both struggle with noise at high ISOs. Olympus’s BSI sensor gives it the edge, but neither is suited for serious astro photography.

Video:
Olympus beats Canon by offering 1080p HD video - good for casual video diaries.

Travel:
Lightweight Olympus and longer zoom are travel-friendly, but Canon’s AA battery use wins points for destination versatility where charging isn’t easy.

Professional Work:
Neither supports RAW or advanced exposure modes, nor rugged build or rich connectivity, so both fall short for serious pros except for niche compact uses.

Scoring the Cameras: Balanced Performance Metrics

Let me summarize overall and genre-specific strengths based on my testing and field use.

Olympus VH-515 scores consistently higher in image quality, features, and versatility, while Canon A800’s main draw is affordability and ease of battery sourcing.

Final Thoughts: Who Wins and Why?

The Canon A800:

• Pros: Lower price (~$90), robust AA battery use, close macro focus, simple control layout
• Cons: Lower resolution, no stabilization, poor video, limited continuous shooting, smaller LCD

The Olympus VH-515:

• Pros: Better sensor and resolution, optical stabilization, wider zoom, 1080p video, improved LCD and touchscreen interface
• Cons: Higher price (~$650), proprietary battery, slower face detection autofocus

My Recommendations

• If you prioritize an ultra-budget secondary camera or want a simple point-and-shoot for snapshots with easy battery replacements, Canon A800 covers basics well.
• If you want a compact with better image quality, video, and shooting speed for travel, everyday, or casual enthusiast use, Olympus VH-515 is the smarter investment.
• Neither is suited for professional workflow or demanding photography, but for hobbyists focused on ease-of-use versus quality tradeoffs, this guide should help you decide.

Dear Canon, maybe one day a compact update will finally balance affordability and modern features. Olympus got close here with the VH-515 - makes me nostalgic for the days when compact cameras fought hard against smartphones with clever specs and features.

If you’re on a tight budget but want decent photos, the A800 can still serve, but if you can stretch for the Olympus, you’ll appreciate the extra polish.

I hope this detailed comparison has helped clarify these two gems and their real-world value. For deeper dives into crops, sample RAWs (where applicable), and hands-on video test footage, check my full video and photo reviews above.

Happy shooting, and may your next camera be the perfect fit for your creative vision!

• Your Expert Camera Tester