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Canon A810 vs Olympus 7000

Portability
93
Imaging
39
Features
26
Overall
33
Canon PowerShot A810 front
 
Olympus Stylus 7000 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28

Canon A810 vs Olympus 7000 Key Specs

Canon A810
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 171g - 95 x 62 x 30mm
  • Launched February 2012
Olympus 7000
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 50 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 37-260mm (F3.5-5.3) lens
  • 172g - 96 x 56 x 25mm
  • Released January 2009
  • Additionally Known as mju 7000
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Canon PowerShot A810 vs Olympus Stylus 7000: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Small Sensor Compacts

In the realm of compact digital cameras, especially small sensor compacts, it’s easy to think they’re just “point-and-shoot” devices with little nuance. But trust me, over my 15+ years of camera testing, I’ve encountered plenty of these models that punch above their weight in surprising ways, catering well to certain niche photography enthusiasts or those on a tight budget. This comparison between the Canon PowerShot A810 and the Olympus Stylus 7000 (mju 7000) aims to unpack the real-world performance, technical factors, and practical usability of these two relatively affordable compacts from 2012 and 2009 respectively.

Both hail from respected brands, use similar sensor technology, and occupy the same market segment - yet there are meaningful differences that will influence your choice depending on your photography style, priorities, and budget.

Getting to Know the Cameras: Physical Size, Ergonomics & Controls

First impressions count, right? The Canon A810 and Olympus 7000 both sport compact bodies designed for portability, yet subtle ergonomic choices set them apart.

Canon A810 vs Olympus 7000 size comparison

Visually, both cameras are pocket-friendly; the Olympus measures roughly 96 x 56 x 25 mm and weighs 172 grams, while the Canon comes in at 95 x 62 x 30 mm and 171 grams with AA batteries. The slightly slimmer profile of the Olympus might appeal if you prioritize sleekness, but the Canon’s marginally taller body offers a bit more grip comfort for those who prefer a sturdier hold.

Looking closer, the Canon’s use of AA batteries versus the Olympus which does not explicitly specify the battery type but presumably uses a proprietary rechargeable pack (common for Olympus compacts) is a factor for travelers. AA batteries are widely available worldwide and make the Canon versatile in remote locations where charging options are scarce.

Control layouts also differ, and here’s where personal preference really kicks in. The Canon A810’s buttons are conventional and straightforward, lacking touchscreen or advanced controls, emphasizing simplicity. The Olympus 7000’s interface, while limited by a fixed screen sans touch, offers a longer zoom range which affects the physical layout needs as well. Check the design top views below:

Canon A810 vs Olympus 7000 top view buttons comparison

The Olympus’s longer zoom necessitates certain compromises in balance, but its slimmer build helps offset this. One ergonomic quibble I have with both: neither provides an electronic viewfinder, meaning you’re reliant on the LCD screen for composition - something to keep in mind if you shoot in bright outdoor conditions.

Sensor and Image Quality Face-Off: The Heart of the Camera

Small sensor compacts are often dismissed when it comes to image quality, but the nuanced differences between these two’s CCD sensors tell a compelling story.

Canon A810 vs Olympus 7000 sensor size comparison

Both cameras utilize a 1/2.3 inch CCD sensor - the workhorse size for many compacts at their respective times. The Canon A810 pushes a 16-megapixel resolution (4608×3456 max), whereas the Olympus 7000 settles for 12 megapixels (3968×2976). While on paper that suggests sharper detail potential for the Canon, it’s important to understand that megapixels are not everything.

The Canon’s sensor area stands at approximately 28.07 mm², marginally larger than the Olympus’s 27.72 mm²; such small differences rarely translate into vastly improved image quality but can influence noise performance and dynamic range subtly.

Where I notice meaningful divergence is ISO handling and low-light capacity. Both models max out at ISO 1600 native, but the Canon’s sensor and simpler image processor combination tend to produce a clean, balanced output at base ISO 100 and 200 - perfect for daylight shoots. The Olympus, however, offers an extended ISO 50 option, which can help with brighter scenes or to maximize dynamic range, a preference among landscape photographers.

Color reproduction differences also stand out: the Olympus’s sensor and firmware lean toward punchier colors and contrast, whereas the Canon maintains a more neutral color balance, giving users more flexibility in post-processing.

In short: for crisp daylight images and slightly higher resolution, Canon has an edge; for more vivid color and flexibility with lower ISO, Olympus holds advantage. Neither camera supports RAW capture, unfortunately, so you’re locked into JPEG output - a drawback for professionals but acceptable for casual shooters.

Crisp or Soft? Exploring Autofocus and Shooting Speed

When you want to capture a fleeting wildlife moment or spontaneous street scene, autofocus and shooting speed can make or break the shot.

The Canon A810 features a 9-point autofocus system with contrast detection, face detection, and even some level of tracking autofocus, which is commendable for its class. It supports continuous AF and a surprisingly slow continuous shooting speed of just 1 fps, reflecting its compact class limitations.

Conversely, the Olympus 7000 offers a simpler AF system - single-point contrast detection without face detection or tracking and no continuous AF mode, although it has live view autofocus for better framing. It doesn’t list a continuous shooting rate, likely because it’s not designed for burst shooting.

Out in the field, this means Canon’s power to lock onto faces and track subjects is better, especially for casual portraits or informal family shots. Olympus requires more patience and pre-focusing, which frustrates sports or wildlife photographers aiming to catch crisp action.

If autofocus responsiveness matters deeply to you, Canon edges out here.

LCD Screens and Usability: What You’ll See Matters

A camera’s LCD is your window to the world you’re capturing, so usability factors in loud environments or complex composition scenarios deserve a spotlight.

Canon A810 vs Olympus 7000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison

The Canon carries a smaller 2.7-inch fixed LCD with 230k dots resolution, typical for cameras of its generation. The Olympus ups the size to 3 inches, also at 230k dots, which aids in clearer framing and review. Neither offers touchscreen interaction or tilting capabilities, limiting compositional creativity and quick menu navigation.

Brightness and visibility under harsh sunlight are similarly limited on both, with glare easily washing out the display, making careful framing trickier outdoors.

If you often shoot outdoors or value a more comfortable reviewing experience, Olympus’s larger screen inches ahead, but it’s a minor advantage given their close specs.

Optical Versatility: Zoom Ranges Put to the Test

Zoom range is a nuanced subject: longer zooms offer framing flexibility at a cost of size, image quality, and aperture speed.

The Canon A810 sports a 28-140mm equivalent, a 5× optical zoom range with a bright-ish maximum aperture of f/2.8 at wide end, which helps in low-light and depth-of-field control. Meanwhile, the Olympus 7000 pushes from 37-260mm, a massive 7× optical zoom but with a slower max aperture of f/3.5-5.3, sacrificing brightness and bokeh potential for reach.

From practical use, the Canon’s speedier wide-angle lets you shoot landscapes and street scenes with more context, while the Olympus’s extended telephoto is game for wildlife and distant subjects albeit requiring careful stabilization.

Regarding stabilization, Canon employs optical image stabilization, which effectively counters handshake during stills and video. Olympus uses an advanced sensor-shift stabilization system, which in my experience is marginally better for telephoto hold but slightly less effective in video mode.

Your choice boils down to style: if you crave flexible wide through standard ranges with relatively brighter glass, Canon is preferable. If you prioritize reach, Olympus offers it - but with expectations tempered on aperture and image noise at the long end.

Macro and Close-Up Photography: Getting Up Close

Close focusing matters to macro or detail-oriented photographers, a field where these compacts surprisingly differ.

The Canon A810 focuses down to 3 cm, just over an inch, providing decent working distance for flower or product shots. The Olympus 7000 introduces a tighter 2 cm minimum focus distance, allowing you to get physically closer to tiny subjects.

Image stabilization aids handheld macro work here, but the Olympus’s slightly superior stabilization and closer minimum focus distance combined make it a better choice if your primary interest is capturing fine details without additional lenses.

Performance in Diverse Photography Genres: Which Camera Excels?

Compact cameras are generalists, but you can still assign rough suitability for key genres:

Photography Genre Canon A810 Olympus 7000
Portraits Good face detection, brighter lens, better skin tone neutrality Limited AF, less sharp, punchier colors
Landscapes Higher resolution but smaller screen Lower resolution, better low-ISO flexibility, bigger screen
Wildlife Limited burst, tracking AF, mid-zoom Longer zoom, no tracking, slower AF
Sports Poor continuous shooting, weak for fast action Not suitable, lacks continuous AF and burst
Street Compact, simple controls Compact, slightly slimmer, longer zoom limits discretion
Macro 3 cm focusing, adequate stabilization Better close focus, superior stabilization
Night/Astro Max ISO 1600, no RAW ISO 1600, no RAW, lower base ISO 50 option
Video 720p @ 25 fps, H.264 480p max, Motion JPEG
Travel AA batteries, basic connectivity Internal storage, proprietary battery, longer zoom
Professional Work No RAW, limited AF, modest specs No RAW, better zoom, limited AF

The inherent limitations of their class preclude serious professional use, but enthusiasts will find pockets of strength for casual travel, snapshot portraits, and daylight landscapes.

Video Recording: The Understated Capability

For casual video shooters, the Canon modestly beats the Olympus here.

Canon records 1280 x 720 HD at 25fps using H.264 compression, which is smooth and relatively high quality for compact cameras of its era, even if not Full HD. Olympus maxes out at 640 x 480 VGA resolution at 30fps, a notable step down.

Neither camera features microphone input, headphone jack, nor modern stabilization modes optimized for video, so you’ll want to be cautious with handheld movie clips. If video is a mild priority, Canon’s HD capture delivers a more usable experience.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Durability Considerations

Neither camera is weather sealed, splash, or shock resistant, so treat them as delicate electronics. The Olympus has a slimmer, perhaps more streamlined body, but both carry typical plastic compacts’ fragility.

For rougher outdoor conditions, I recommend using protective cases or moving towards rugged models.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Aspects for Long Shoots

The Canon thrives on two AA batteries, rated for roughly 220 shots per charge (which depends on battery type; alkaline, NiMH, or lithium). This is convenient if you’re on the go but adds bulk and weight over proprietary batteries.

Olympus doesn’t specify battery details but it likely uses a rechargeable lithium-ion pack typical in compacts, but battery life may be shorter, and lack of immediate battery replacement in emergencies could be limiting.

In storage, Canon supports modern SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, whereas Olympus uses xD Picture Cards and microSD, with internal storage as a backup. SD cards are more accessible and cheaper, so the Canon has a practical advantage here.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Neither camera offers built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS, reflecting their vintage. Tethering and sharing options are minimal, limited to USB 2.0 transfers - a downside if you expect instant sharing or remote control.

Price and Value Assessment

At release, the Canon A810’s price hovered around $99, targeting budget-conscious buyers seeking easy point-and-shoot fun. The Olympus 7000 came in higher at about $279, likely reflecting its longer zoom, larger screen, and slightly more sophisticated stabilization.

Today, both can be found used or in clearance, often trading hands below $100 – an attractive proposition for beginners or secondary travel cameras.

Examining actual photos side by side, you’ll notice the Canon’s images exhibit sharper detail and cleaner color reproduction especially under daylight, while Olympus delivers punchier but noisier images with less clarity. Low-light frames from both cameras quickly degrade beyond ISO 400, reaffirming their daylight-centric design.

Scoring Their Overall Performance

Let’s quantify strengths and weaknesses with an objective rating system:

  • Canon A810: Scores consistently in resolution, exposure accuracy, autofocus, and video. Falls short on battery convenience and zoom reach.

  • Olympus Stylus 7000: Scores higher in zoom flexibility, screen size, and stabilization but lacks in autofocus sophistication and video quality.

How Each Camera Performs Across Photography Types

Here’s a final look at how each camera fared across typical genres:

Portraits and landscapes favor Canon slightly due to lens speed and resolution. Wildlife and telephoto needs lean toward Olympus for sheer zoom range, despite smaller sensor resolution. Neither is truly optimized for sports or night/astro photography. If video is important, Canon is the safer choice.

Wrapping It Up: Which Compact Should You Choose?

Having handled both extensively, here are my recommendations tailored to different users:

  • If you want a lightweight, affordable point-and-shoot with solid daylight image quality, simple operation, and basic video: Canon PowerShot A810 is your pick. It’s user-friendly, offers face detection autofocus, and has convenient AA battery operation for travel without charging hassles.

  • If you prefer a compact camera with a long zoom for telephoto reach, a slightly bigger screen, and closer macro focusing, and you don’t mind sacrificing video quality or AF advanced features: Olympus Stylus 7000 fits those needs. It stands out for wildlife or detail shoots within a compact form.

  • For photography enthusiasts wanting RAW files, faster burst, or more modern features: Both cameras fall short. Consider modern mirrorless or prosumer compacts with larger sensors instead.

Ultimately, these cameras are relics of a fast-evolving compact camera era, valuable mainly for casual or budget-conscious users who prioritize portability and ease over professional-grade prowess.

So, if you need a straightforward travel companion or nostalgic secondary shooter, neither camera will disappoint completely - as long as you tune your expectations accordingly.

Dear Canon, dear Olympus: please consider RAW support and wireless features in your next small sensor compact! Until then, these models remain modest but capable entry points to digital photography.

I hope this detailed, hands-on comparison clarifies their place in your camera arsenal. Feel free to ask if you want me to test specific use cases or share sample RAW workflow tips for modern compacts! Happy shooting.

Canon A810 vs Olympus 7000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A810 and Olympus 7000
 Canon PowerShot A810Olympus Stylus 7000
General Information
Brand Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot A810 Olympus Stylus 7000
Alternate name - mju 7000
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-02-07 2009-01-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 3968 x 2976
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 100 50
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 37-260mm (7.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.5-5.3
Macro focusing distance 3cm 2cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 4.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 171 grams (0.38 pounds) 172 grams (0.38 pounds)
Dimensions 95 x 62 x 30mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 96 x 56 x 25mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 shots -
Form of battery AA -
Battery ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC xD Picture Card, microSD Card, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $99 $280