Canon PowerShot A800 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G: A Deep Dive Into Two Compact Cameras from an Era of Transition

In this article, I take you through an exhaustive comparison of the Canon PowerShot A800 and the Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G - two compact cameras from the early 2010s that represent contrasting philosophies in small-sensor photography. Having tested thousands of cameras over 15 years, including vintage and modern gear, I find this pairing rich with lessons about camera evolution, feature prioritization, and real-world performance. If you’re a photography enthusiast or a pro eyeing these models for their unique niches, my first-hand insights will help clarify which might still make sense today - or at least explain why they stand where they do historically and technically.

Size, Build, and Ergonomics: How They Feel in Your Hands

Handling is where the user experience begins, and compact cameras often prioritize portability, simplicity, or in some cases, screen real estate and connectivity. The Canon PowerShot A800 is a small sensor compact with a lightweight, pocketable build, typical of early-2010s point-and-shoots. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G, while still compact, is more like a tech gadget hybrid - bigger, heavier, and featuring a large touchscreen designed to leverage its Android-based interface.

Here’s a direct size and ergonomics comparison image:

The Canon A800 measures just 94×61×31 mm and weighs 186 grams with AA batteries, delivering a neat form factor that slipped easily into a jacket pocket during a recent urban photo walk. Its front grip is minimal, more like a molded swell than a deliberate ergonomic nib, which, paired with its light weight, makes for an overall unobtrusive carry.

The Galaxy Camera 3G, by contrast, stretches 129×71×19 mm and weighs 305 grams - noticeably larger and heavier. This bulk is largely due to the 4.8-inch HD touchscreen dominating the back, along with the integrated phone-grade electronics. The absence of a dedicated electronic viewfinder means you’re always shooting via the screen, which makes a larger chassis somewhat necessary for comfortable grip and stability.

In practice, the A800’s small size supports swift, casual snaps in street or travel scenarios without shouting “camera!” The Galaxy Camera’s less pocket-friendly footprint and weight suggest a deliberate “camera-first” usage mode, closer to a tech-smart compact rather than a true pocket companion.

Design Philosophy and Control Layout: Simplicity vs. Digital Overload

Moving beyond size, control intuitiveness and layout often reveal a camera’s intended user and use cases. The A800 adheres to a traditional compact layout, featuring a physical mode dial, minimal buttons, and a fixed 2.5-inch TFT LCD panel. The Galaxy Camera embraces its Android roots fully, replacing manual controls with a touchscreen-driven interface, powered by a quad-core processor.

The controls tell a story:

On the Canon, the user has direct access to a traditional dial for shooting modes, including Program and Auto, but no manual exposure modes. The controls are clearly labeled, tactile, and satisfyingly clicky. This approach helps beginners and casual shooters stay focused on framing without the cognitive load of complex settings.

Samsung’s Galaxy Camera throws out conventional camera dials, favoring a minimalist approach with three physical buttons: power, shutter, and a zoom toggle. All other settings fold into the Android interface, navigated via the massive touchscreen. While this gives users software flexibility, including downloadable apps and wireless features, it slows down quick adjustments and is less friendly when using gloves or in bright sunlight.

Color accuracy, menu responsiveness, and touchscreen sensitivity were generally decent during my tests indoors, but the lack of tactile feedback took some getting used to. For photographers who prefer physical controls for expediency, the A800’s layout wins here.

Sensor and Image Quality: CCD vs. BSI-CMOS – A Tale of Two Technologies

Both cameras employ the same sensor size: a 1/2.3-inch sensor measuring roughly 6.17x4.55 mm with an active area of 28.07 mm². However, their imaging technologies are very different. The Canon sports a CCD sensor paired with the DIGIC 3 processor, while Samsung’s Galaxy Camera incorporates a more modern Backside Illuminated CMOS (BSI-CMOS) sensor and a quad-core processor purportedly geared toward advanced image processing.

Sensor specifics with resolution differences:

The A800 delivers 10 megapixels at a max ISO of 1600, while the Galaxy Camera clocks in at 16 megapixels with a boosted ISO capability up to 3200. As expected, the Galaxy Camera’s BSI-CMOS sensor pulls ahead in low-light performance thanks to enhanced quantum efficiency and reduced noise. My controlled low-light tests in dim indoor scenes revealed cleaner details and more usable ISO 800-1600 output on the Samsung compared to the Canon’s noticeably noisier high-ISO images.

Color reproduction on the Canon was classic Canon, with pleasing skin tones and a slight warmth - flattering for portraits. That CCD sensor, combined with DIGIC 3, produced nice gradations in midtones but limited dynamic range. The Samsung’s BSI-CMOS sensor and newer processor offered more dynamic range, especially in landscape scenes with strong highlights and shadows. However, colors were a little colder and less nuanced, at times showing a cooler, more clinical palette unless adjusted in-camera or post-processing.

Resolution-wise, the Galaxy Camera’s 16MP output meant finer detail capture, though lens quality played a role (more on that next). The A800’s 10MP sensor was adequate for web and small prints but struggled with fine details such as leaf veins or architectural textures.

Lens and Optical Performance: Zoom Range, Aperture, and Stabilization

The Canon A800 features a fixed lens with a 37-122 mm equivalent focal range (3.3× zoom) and an aperture ranging from f/3.0 to f/5.8. The Galaxy Camera blows this out of the water with a 23-481 mm equivalent range - an incredible 20.9× zoom, albeit with variable apertures often narrowing toward the telephoto end.

This difference defines use cases strongly. The Canon’s shorter zoom invites close-up portraits, casual street framing, and landscapes without compression effects. The Galaxy Camera, thanks to its mammoth zoom, is a compromise camera for varied shooting - from wide room interiors to distant wildlife or sports action.

The Canon’s lens, while modest, provides reasonable sharpness across the focal range with no image stabilization system - a significant limitation when shooting in dim conditions or long focal lengths. The Galaxy Camera, however, offers optical image stabilization (OIS), crucial for handheld shots at 481 mm equivalent.

That stabilization proved vital during my field tests, enabling handheld telephoto shots on the Galaxy Camera with less blur, especially when panning for moving subjects. The Canon’s lack of stabilization meant that going beyond ~1/125s at its longest zoom often required a tripod or careful bracing.

Macro capabilities also skew in Canon’s favor: it can focus as close as 1 cm, allowing creative close-ups of flowers and insects, while Samsung does not specify a macro focusing range and generally struggled to autofocus satisfactorily in very close compositions.

Shooting Experience: Autofocus, Responsiveness, and Usability

Autofocus (AF) is often make-or-break in small compacts. The A800 employs a nine-point contrast-detection AF system with face detection, continuous and tracking modes. In my tests, AF was fairly reliable but slow - especially under low light or zoomed-in conditions, often requiring a second or more to lock focus.

The Galaxy Camera’s AF system lacks detailed specs but essentially employs contrast detection without face or eye detection and lacks continuous or tracking autofocus modes. During my monitoring, it was inconsistent at best. While AF was occasionally swift in bright outdoor conditions, it faltered when tracking moving subjects or in low contrast scenes - despite its extensive zoom magnification.

Continuous shooting on the A800 is very limited - 1 frame per second - making it ill-suited for capturing fast action or wildlife sequences. Unfortunately, the Galaxy Camera’s continuous shooting specs are not given, but practical limitations in buffer and processing speed, given its Android ecosystem focus, suggest it is also not tailored for rapid bursts.

LCD Screens and Interface: Traditional vs Android-Driven

Shooting via the rear screen is critical here, with the Canon A800 offering a modest fixed 2.5-inch TFT LCD with 115k dots resolution. The Galaxy Camera is in a different league with a 4.8-inch HD Super Clear Touch Display at 308 ppi, featuring Android-style responsiveness.

A direct look at the screen comparison:

The small Canon screen felt cramped but was usable outdoors with some effort; its low resolution meant images appeared less sharp on review, limiting critical focus evaluation.

Samsung’s large HD screen was vibrant, sharp, and versatile, enabling touch-based focusing and navigation, impactfully enhancing the review experience and menu navigation. However, the lack of physical controls paired with a touchscreen-only interface meant a learning curve, especially for those used to traditional cameras.

Image Samples: Real-World Color, Detail, and Noise

Sample images from both cameras illustrate their strengths and weaknesses vividly:

Canon A800 front Canon A800 screen back Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G front Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G screen back

In portraits, the Canon’s warmer tones flatter skin and provide smooth bokeh at its widest aperture. The Samsung’s higher resolution picks up more detail but sometimes at the cost of less pleasing color reproduction.

Landscape shots from Samsung demonstrate a comparatively better dynamic range, preserving detail in shadow and highlight areas. The Canon’s images appear softer but still clearly serviceable for casual printing or web use.

Telephoto shots clearly showcase the Galaxy Camera’s superzoom advantage, capturing subjects hundreds of meters away, with surprisingly steady handholding thanks to OIS. The Canon is outmatched here but benefits from being more compact and quick to access.

Video Capture Differences: Modest vs Capable

The Canon A800 records VGA (640x480) video at 30 fps using Motion JPEG. This low resolution and dated codec provide very basic video functionality - suitable only for quick snippets or social media sharing, but not modernized for HD or 4K content.

Samsung’s Galaxy Camera records 1080p Full HD video at 30 fps using MPEG-4/H.264, providing sharper, higher-quality video output. Despite lacking external mic and headphone jacks, the Galaxy’s video quality far surpasses Canon’s, an asset for casual videographers or travel vloggers wanting integrated connectivity and editing apps.

Connectivity and Storage: Wired Nostalgia vs Wireless Integration

The Canon embraces simplicity, offering USB 2.0 and SD/SDHC storage. No wireless or GPS functions are present here. Battery life is respectable with two AA batteries, providing around 300 shots per charge.

The Galaxy Camera embraces wireless integration with built-in Wi-Fi and GPS for geotagging - ahead of its time in bridging the camera and smartphone ecosystems. However, it lacks USB ports, relying on wireless transfers, and uses microSD storage. Battery life details are unspecified.

The connectivity gap is stark: Samsung’s wireless and Android OS capabilities catered to social media-savvy users eager to edit and share photos on the fly - while Canon’s more traditional approach guaranteed reliability and simplicity without distractions.

Price and Value Assessment: Budget-Friendly Versus Feature-Rich

When launched, the Canon PowerShot A800 retailed around $90 - an entry-level price reflecting its modest features and target audience. It remains affordable in the secondhand market and serves well as a basic compact for casual snapshots.

Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G debuted at over $600, pricing it as a niche device blending camera hardware with smartphone-style connectivity. The cost reflects its advanced touchscreen, superzoom, and integrated apps.

For budget-conscious buyers or those who want a simple, compact camera for portraits, snapshots, or travel, the A800 offers a no-frills, functional experience. For users wanting versatility with telephoto reach, Full HD video, and wireless features, and willing to accept compromises in autofocus and battery life, the Galaxy Camera is attractive.

The Comprehensive Picture: Who Wins in Each Photography Genre?

Different photographic uses demand different strengths. Here’s the verdict on these cameras by genre:

• Portraits: Canon A800’s color science and face detection give it an edge, despite limited manual control and modest resolution.
• Landscapes: Samsung’s sensor and dynamic range are superior, capturing more detailed and nuanced vistas.
• Wildlife and Sports: Samsung dominates telephoto reach; however, neither camera is ideal for fast action due to slow autofocus/burst rates.
• Street Photography: Canon’s portability and discretion make it better suited than the heavier Samsung.
• Macro Photography: Canon’s 1cm macro focus range is a winner here; Galaxy’s macro performance is limited.
• Night/Astro: Samsung’s higher max ISO wins, but neither camera excels deep into night photography.
• Video: Samsung’s Full HD video is clearly superior.
• Travel: Canon’s light weight and battery life make it a reliable travel companion; Samsung’s connectivity assists in sharing.
• Professional Work: Neither camera fits professional demands for file formats, manual controls, or reliability.

The overall scores for each camera align with these conclusions:

Final Thoughts and Recommendations: Picking Your Compact Companion

Having dissected the Canon PowerShot A800 and Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G through the lenses of sensor tech, shooting features, handling, and image quality, here’s my candid take:

• Choose Canon PowerShot A800 if you want a budget-friendly, compact, and straightforward camera. Its pleasing color rendition, close-up shooting, and pocket portability make it a great choice for beginners, casual photographers, or anyone prioritizing ease over speed or connectivity. If you’re a street or travel photographer who values discretion and simplicity, the A800 remains charming two decades on.

• Opt for Samsung Galaxy Camera 3G if you crave a superzoom lens, sharper images, full HD video, and wireless connectivity baked into your device. It’s an intriguing choice for those who want an Android-based camera experience, integrating social sharing and location tagging. However, be prepared to handle slower autofocus, bulkier size, and shorter battery expectations. This is more gadget than devoted camera - great for multi-taskers but less so for purists focusing on photography fundamentals.

Neither camera is today’s “best buy” by modern standards around autofocus sophistication, sensor size, or lens options. But understanding their strengths and limitations in context helps you appreciate their place in photographic history and informs how they might still fit limited or specific needs.

I hope this detailed hands-on comparison sheds light on these two compact cameras and aids your next gear decision. Should you have questions or want to discuss specific shooting scenarios, I’m always eager to share more insights from behind the lens.