Canon A800 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3: The 2011 Compact Showdown for Enthusiasts and Budget-Conscious Photographers

When looking back at the entry-level compact cameras from the early 2010s, two models that often cross paths in the conversation are the Canon PowerShot A800 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3. Announced on the exact same day - January 5, 2011 - these sibling-competitors offer a glimpse into the era’s small sensor compacts trying to balance affordability and decent image performance.

Having spent countless hours testing and comparing cameras in this category over my 15+ years as a reviewer, the A800 and S3 offer an interesting study in compromises, features, and real-world user experience from that time. Let’s dig deep into what makes these two cameras tick, who they may still appeal to today, and where they simply can’t keep up with modern expectations.

At a Glance: Size, Weight, and Ergonomics You’ll Actually Use

Compact cameras promise portability and ease, so the physical handling is key. Canon’s A800 and Panasonic’s S3 both situate into the compact segment but differ in feel and form.

Starting with pure dimensions, the Panasonic S3 is slightly slimmer and lighter - measuring 99 x 59 x 21 mm at 117 grams, compared to the Canon A800’s 94 x 61 x 31 mm and 186 grams weight. The S3’s more streamlined profile makes it more bag-friendly and comfortable for casual carry, but the A800’s slightly chunkier grip lends a bit more confidence in hand, important during longer shooting sessions.

Top view examination reveals a similar minimalist approach, with both lacking extensive physical controls and relying heavily on menus.

Neither camera sports an electronic or optical viewfinder, relying solely on fixed TFT LCDs sized 2.5” for the Canon and 2.7” for the Panasonic, each with modest resolutions (115k pixels vs. 230k pixels respectively). This means composing under bright sunlight can be frustrating, but the Panasonic’s larger, higher-res screen offers noticeable clarity advantages.

Sensor and Image Quality: CCD Sensors Pursuing Detail in a Digital Age

Both cameras feature the ubiquitous 1/2.3" CCD sensor typical of the era, but they approach resolution and sensitivity differently.

Canon’s A800 sports a 10-megapixel sensor, outputting images at 3648 x 2736 pixels, while Panasonic’s S3 ups the ante with 14 megapixels and a max resolution of 4320 x 3240 pixels. At first glance, 14MP promises more detail, but here’s the rub: higher resolution on a small sensor can mean more noise and less pixel-level quality if not well managed.

In my hands-on testing with both, the Panasonic S3’s Venus Engine IV processor helps extract respectable image quality for the time, especially in well-lit conditions. It also offers a rare extended ISO range, going up to 6400, though practical low-light usability at such sensitivities is limited by noise. Meanwhile, Canon’s DIGIC 3 processor paired with its 10MP CCD maintains cleaner images with less noise at base ISO 80 and retains decent dynamic range in daylight.

Neither camera supports RAW capture or advanced exposure controls, which limits post-processing flexibility. The S3’s support for three aspect ratios (4:3, 3:2, 16:9) is a nice touch of versatility over the A800’s two.

The Autofocus Systems and Shooting Speed: How Fast Can You Capture Moments?

Autofocus on compact cameras of this era is often a mixed bag, and the A800 and S3 reflect that well.

Canon A800 features 9 autofocus points including center-weighted and face detection, with continuous focusing modes. Contrast detection AF, the standard in compacts, works best in good light but can struggle in low light or with moving subjects. Panasonic’s S3 supports 11 focus points but lacks face detection, continuous AF, or tracking features.

In actual use, the A800’s face detection brings a practical advantage for portraits and casual snapshots, reliably locking onto faces indoors or outdoors. Panasonic’s system works fine for static subjects but can feel sluggish with any movement.

Continuous shooting rates favor the S3 somewhat, offering 2 frames per second (fps) versus Canon’s single fps burst. Both are slow for action photography but the S3 provides a marginal edge.

Handling Portraits: How Skin Tones and Bokeh Measure Up

Portrait photography is often best served by careful skin tone rendition, decent subject isolation, and autofocus accuracy on eyes.

The Canon A800's lens (37-122mm equivalent, f/3.0-5.8 aperture) delivers pleasing skin tones with warmth and natural saturation, a characteristic Canon cameras have historically been praised for. Face detection autofocus helps capture sharp portraits even for less experienced photographers.

Panasonic’s wider zoom range (28-112mm equivalent, f/3.1-5.6) tends to produce slightly cooler skin tones, which you may find less flattering without post-processing tweaks. The absence of face or eye detection autofocus makes sharp capture of eyes more hit-or-miss, especially in mixed lighting.

Regarding background blur, both cameras rely on tiny sensors and small maximum apertures, which inherently limit bokeh. Neither can isolate a subject perfectly - the backgrounds remain mostly in focus - so their portrait appeal lies more in color rendition and focus accuracy than creative blur effects.

Landscapes and Travel: Considering Resolution, Sharpness, and Weather Resistance

Landscape photographers appreciate wide dynamic range and rich detail. A compact’s role as a travel companion also demands durability and battery performance.

Canon’s 10MP sensor and DIGIC 3 processing deliver solid, low-noise images with natural contrast in daylight but somewhat limited detailing at print sizes beyond A4. The fixed 37-122mm lens allows reasonable framing versatility but lacks a wide-angle option.

Panasonic’s higher 14MP resolution affords more cropping freedom and larger prints, and the slightly wider zoom starting at 28mm equivalent is a bonus for expansive vistas. The optical image stabilization (OIS) system is a significant advantage for handheld landscape shooting at slow shutter speeds to avoid camera shake.

Neither camera offers weather sealing, which means cautious handling in moist or dusty environments.

Battery life shows slight edge to the Canon, rated at 300 shots using AA batteries, whereas the Panasonic relies on a rechargeable battery good for approximately 250 shots per charge.

Wildlife and Sports: Can These Compacts Keep Up with Fast Action?

Neither the Canon A800 nor the Panasonic S3 was designed with high-speed or wildlife photography in mind, but let’s see how they perform in those demanding scenarios.

Autofocus speed and accuracy are usually the bottleneck. The A800’s face detection and multi-point focusing improve chances for sharp captures, but at 1 fps continuous shooting, you’re limited to timed snapshots rather than burst tracking.

The Panasonic S3 improves on frame rate (2 fps) but lacks face detection and continuous AF. Combined with slower shutter speeds under low light, this limits action shot usability.

Both lenses max out at modest telephoto ranges (~122mm for Canon, 112mm for Panasonic equivalence). For wildlife, longer reach and faster burst rates are critical - which these cameras simply cannot provide. Their built-in flashes offer limited range (3m-3.3m), insufficient for exterior fill on distant subjects.

So, wildlife and sports photographers should look beyond these two compacts for modern cameras with dedicated AF tracking, faster frame rates, and greater telephoto reach.

Street and Macro Photography: Discretion, Low Light, and Close-Up Focus

For street photographers, discretion, portability, and rapid focusing matter. The Panasonic S3’s lighter weight and slimmer profile feel less obtrusive on urban adventures. Its faster 2 fps burst and wider 28mm lens provide some flexibility.

However, both models offer limited low-light performance, with moderate maximum ISO (Canons ISO 1600 max vs Panasonic’s ISO 6400, albeit noisy). Panasonic’s OIS allows steadier handheld shots, a plus for dimly lit streets.

Macro capabilities see Canon’s A800 shine, supporting a 1 cm minimum focus distance compared to Panasonic’s 5 cm. If you enjoy close-ups of flowers, insects, or textures, the A800 allows more creative flexibility with fine detail capture.

Night and Astro Photography: Tackling High ISO and Long Exposure

Trying astrophotography or night shots with 1/2.3” CCD sensors is always challenging, but among these two, Panasonic’s higher ISO ceiling of 6400 theoretically opens more exposure options.

That said, image noise at elevated ISO on a small sensor is severe on both. Neither camera supports bulb mode or advanced manual shutter priority, limiting long exposure creativity. Canon offers longer minimum shutter speed up to 15 seconds compared to Panasonic’s 8 seconds, providing some edge for night photography.

Neither camera supports RAW for noise reduction workflows. So expect significant trial and error and limited ultimate image quality.

Video Features: Modest Specs with No Audio Inputs

Both cameras provide video capture, but their offerings are modest by today’s standards.

Canon A800 records Motion JPEG at VGA resolution (640x480) at 30fps, suitable for casual clips but with poor compression efficiency and quality.

Panasonic S3 upgrades to 720p HD at 30fps with MPEG-4 codec, noticeably better for basic video capture. Yet, neither offers external microphone or headphone ports, and both lack image stabilization during video - Panasonic’s still optical stabilization helps during photo capture only.

Professional Use and Workflow Integration: Where These Cameras Stand Today

From a professional perspective, neither camera can confidently serve as primary tools due to fixed lenses, absence of RAW support, and limited control options. File sizes and transfer options (USB 2.0) are basic, with no wireless or tethering capabilities.

Canon’s AA battery usage means on-the-go replacements are easy but less environmentally friendly than Panasonic’s rechargeable pack, which must be charged with included kit.

In terms of storage, both accept SD/SDHC cards, with Panasonic adding internal memory as a backup. File formats and color profiles are locked, limiting customization.

Technical Summary and Ratings

Bringing everything together, I’ve compiled a performance chart summarizing key metrics:

And here is a breakdown focused on specific photography genres:

Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Pick?

So who wins in this 2011 compact duel?

Canon PowerShot A800:

• Pros: Better skin tone rendition, superior macro focusing, longer shutter speeds for night shots, stronger face detection AF, slightly longer battery life with AA batteries.
• Cons: Lower resolution, no stabilization, modest display.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3:

• Pros: Higher resolution sensor, optical image stabilization, wider lens start at 28mm, faster continuous shooting, better screen resolution, HD video recording at 720p.
• Cons: No face detection, shorter shutter speeds max 1/1600, shorter battery life, less reliable autofocus for moving subjects.

Who Should Choose Canon A800?

If you want straightforward shooting, are primarily interested in portraits or macro photography, and appreciate slightly warmer colors with reliable face detection, the Canon is your friend. It also suits those who prefer replaceable AA batteries and comfortable handgrip.

Who Should Choose Panasonic S3?

If you lean toward traveling light and value higher resolution, wider focal length, and image stabilization for handheld shooting, especially outdoors landscapes or casual video clips, Panasonic delivers more versatility. The slimmer form factor helps street shooters wanting unobtrusive gear.

And For the Rest of Us?

If your needs lean toward serious photography, wildlife, sports, or video production, the reality is both these compacts are now dated. Modern mirrorless or bridge cameras offer far superior sensor technology, autofocus, and video. However, as budget or pocket cameras for snapshots, either can satisfy casual enthusiasts, provided expectations are realistic.

Additional Images Reference

Checking out sample photos from both cameras side-by-side explains many of these points - the color rendering, detail, and noise appear plainly:

Canon A800 front Canon A800 screen back Panasonic S3 front Panasonic S3 screen back

Looking at the back screens, the Panasonic’s larger, higher-res display is easier to compose on:

In Conclusion: A Walk Down Memory Lane with Value for Some

The Canon A800 and Panasonic S3 capture a moment in digital compact history - offering simplicity, portability, and “just enough” features for everyday photography enthusiasts. Each has defined strengths and notable limitations. If you’re a collector, beginner, or someone wanting an ultra-affordable backup camera, these remain viable options when picked up gently used.

For those invested in photography as craft or profession, I recommend searching for newer alternatives with larger sensors, manual controls, and RAW support to truly unlock creative potential.

Dear Canon, please consider a modern A800 revival with a touchscreen and RAW, and Panasonic, how about a micro four thirds sibling to the S3 with some serious AF magic? Until then, these little cameras remain charming relics - and learning tools - worthy of respect.

I hope this comparison helps you decide which vintage compact might best fit your casual shooting scenarios or inform your understanding of how compact camera tech has evolved over the last decade. Feel free to dive into the sample images and detailed specs above for a closer look!

• Your friendly, camera-obsessed reviewer with thousands of hours behind viewfinders.