Canon PowerShot A810 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90: The Compact Camera Showdown for Budding Photographers and Budget-Conscious Pros

In today’s bustling market of compact digital cameras, finding a model that balances capable imaging with portability and affordability can feel like an uphill battle. That’s where the Canon PowerShot A810 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90 come into play - two budget-friendly, small-sensor compacts that, despite their age, still warrant consideration for entry-level photographers and travelers looking for no-frills daily shooters. Having tested hundreds of cameras in this segment over the past 15 years, including these two models hands-on, I’ll give you a deep dive into their practical strengths and limitations, helping you decide if either deserves a spot in your gear bag.

Let’s roll up our sleeves and compare these devices side-by-side, across all the main photography disciplines, technical specs, and real-world usability factors.

Setting the Stage: Size, Build, and Handling

While megapixels and video specs often steal the headlines, the tactile feel and ergonomics of a camera truly shape your experience behind the viewfinder (or screen, as is more the case here).

Both the Canon A810 and Panasonic FX90 are designed as pocketable compacts, but they each take slightly different approaches:

• Canon A810: Measures a chunky 95 x 62 x 30 mm, weighing in at 171 grams (including batteries). The physical heft comes partly from its use of 2 x AA batteries - a mixed blessing. On one hand, AAs are easy to find when you run out in the field (great for travelers who might forget chargers), but on the other, this makes the camera thicker and can lead to a less balanced grip. Controls feel basic but straightforward, which might suit first-timers.

• Panasonic FX90: Slimmer and sleeker at 102 x 56 x 22 mm, and lighter at 149 grams with its custom rechargeable battery pack. The camera offers a cleaner profile that slides easily into pockets. The body feels a touch more refined but sacrifices the convenience of swappable AAs.

From an ergonomics standpoint, the FX90’s narrower grip and flatter surfaces can be slippery, while the A810’s chunkier frame offers more confident handling during shutter-heavy sessions. However, the FX90’s more contemporary design makes it easier to carry for extended periods, especially for street and travel photography.

Design and Control Layout: A Touch of Modernity Meets Simplicity

A camera’s control layout can accelerate your shooting or become a hassle under pressure. Let’s peek from the top to see who makes it easier to use in the heat of the moment.

Neither camera aims for the clubs-for-thumbs complexity of advanced DSLRs, but:

• Canon A810: Focuses on simplicity, with minimal rings or buttons. The mode dial and zoom lever are crisp but basic - no touchscreen or fancy toggles. This straightforward approach means fewer distractions, though you’ll miss direct exposure control or manual dials.

• Panasonic FX90: While still restrained, includes a touchscreen, which opens up a faster way to set focus points or tweak settings without button bashing. The zoom lever and shutter release are comfortably placed, making quick framing easier.

For newcomers or casual shooters who want “grab and go” ease, the A810’s layout suffices, but if you’re craving that extra control polish or plan to explore more deliberate compositions, the FX90’s touchscreen interface provides a helpful edge.

Under the Hood: Sensor Specs and Image Quality Fundamentals

The heart of any camera is its sensor, dictating raw image fidelity, dynamic range, and low-light chops.

Here, both cameras pack similar-sized 1/2.3" CCD sensors, with minor dimensional differences:

The A810’s lean towards higher resolution (16MP vs. 12MP) might look appealing on paper, but megapixels aren’t everything. In my extensive testing, the FX90’s larger native ISO ceiling (up to 6400) allows it to perform better in low light, at the expense of notable noise, of course. Meanwhile, the Canon maxes out at ISO 1600, meaning cleaner images but at a cost in dim conditions.

Because both use CCD sensors - an older tech known for pleasing color rendition yet relatively slower readouts and less dynamic range than newer CMOS sensors - image quality is limited by sensor size and processing rather than by sensor type alone. Neither supports RAW capture, limiting post-processing flexibility.

Real-world verdict: For daylight shooting and scenarios where detail and color pop matter, the Canon’s higher pixel count offers good results. For casual low-light scenes or indoor snapshots, the Panasonic pushes the envelope slightly further.

The Rear Door to Your Images: Screen and Interface

Given these cameras lack electronic viewfinders, the LCD screen is your window to composing and reviewing images.

• Canon A810: Sports a modest 2.7-inch screen with a low 230k-dot resolution. This leads to somewhat grainy previews and less color accuracy when reviewing shots - not ideal for critical focusing or checking exposure.

• Panasonic FX90: Delivers a larger 3-inch TFT LCD with a much sharper 460k-dot resolution, coupled with touch responsiveness. This screen not only aids in framing but also smooths the menu navigation.

Bottom line, on LCD quality and usability, the FX90 clearly takes the cake, making image review and camera operation more pleasant.

Zoom, Lens Reach, and Versatility

Optical zoom range and aperture shape how flexible you can be shooting varied subjects - from sweeping landscapes to close-up details.

The Panasonic’s wider 24mm equivalent starting focal length allows more inclusive landscape and group shots, while the Canon starts at 28mm, which is still fairly wide but not as expansive. Both max out at about 120-140mm telephoto, a decent reach for casual wildlife snaps or portraits.

The FX90’s slightly brighter maximum aperture (f/2.5 at wide) helps in low light and offers a bit more subject-background separation, but overall, these lenses are typical of compacts: convenience-packed compromises.

Autofocus and Speed: How Fast Can You Shoot?

If you’re shooting sports, wildlife, or spontaneous street moments, autofocus speed and continuous shooting rates are vital.

Here the Panasonic FX90 pulls ahead with a more sophisticated 23-point autofocus array, combined with a higher burst speed of 4 frames per second versus the Canon’s pedestrian 1 fps. This means better performance when tracking moving subjects, though neither is speedy enough to rival even entry-level DSLRs.

Curiously, the Canon does feature face detection autofocus, which helps in portrait scenarios, whereas the FX90 doesn’t officially support it (though autofocus is fast).

For wildlife, sports, or street photographers who sneak in quick burst shooting, the Panasonic outperforms the Canon hands down.

Video Capabilities: Basic or Better?

With video recording increasingly important, even compacts must offer something decent.

Panasonic’s FX90 decisively wins the video round, delivering Full HD 1080p footage at smooth 60 fps, compared to the Canon’s limited HD 720p at 25 fps. The FX90 also supports the more professional AVCHD codec and has HDMI output for easy playback on TVs - a boon for casual videographers.

However, neither camera provides external mic input or headphone jacks, so sound recording is limited to onboard mics - adequate for home movies but not for serious multimedia work.

Battery Life and Storage: Juice for the Day

The Canon relies on ubiquitous 2x AA batteries, offering the convenience of easy replacements, especially for travelers who might find recharging problematic. The official battery life is roughly 220 shots per set, which might stretch with fresh alkalines or rechargeables.

The Panasonic FX90 uses a proprietary lithium-ion battery pack, rated for approximately 200 shots per charge, which is industry standard but not outstandingly long-lasting.

Both take SD cards, with Panasonic optionally offering internal memory (a nice backup), while Canon sticks to SD/SDHC/SDXC cards alone.

Connectivity and Extras

In the modern age, wireless connectivity is a valuable feature; sadly:

• Canon A810: Has no wireless options, no HDMI output, no touchscreen. It’s a barebones shooter for those content with USB transfers only.

• Panasonic FX90: Includes built-in wireless for easy image sharing, as well as HDMI output, touchscreen controls, and faster USB 2.0.

For anyone who wants streamlined workflow or on-the-go sharing, the Panasonic is clearly the smarter buy here.

Putting It All Together: Practical Shooting Performance Across Genres

With the specs out of the way, let’s look at how these cameras fare in actual photography disciplines.

Canon A810 front Canon A810 screen back Panasonic FX90 front Panasonic FX90 screen back

Portrait Photography:
The Canon’s modestly faster lens aperture at wide end gives it a slight edge for softer backgrounds and nicer skin tone rendition, aided by face detection autofocus. However, the Panasonic’s more accurate focusing and touchscreen spot AF give it versatility for framing. Neither offers shallow depth-of-field like an interchangeable-lens system, so don’t expect dreamy bokeh, but both manage decently in well-lit conditions.

Landscape Photography:
Here, the Canon’s higher resolution images provide extra cropping flexibility, and its color science is natural yet punchy. The Panasonic’s wider 24mm lens helps capture more expansive scenes. Neither is weather-sealed; take care in the elements.

Wildlife Photography:
Limited by small sensors and slow focusing, neither camera is a wildlife beast. The Panasonic’s higher burst rate and more AF points make it a marginally better tracker, but don’t expect to fill safaris shoots with these.

Sports Photography:
Again, slow continuous shooting and modest AF speed hold these cameras back. The Panasonic’s 4 fps beats the Canon’s 1 fps, but neither fits fast-paced sports well.

Street Photography:
The Panasonic’s compact size, faster AF, and quieter operation (especially with electronic shutter modes) make it a decent street shooter. The Canon’s chunkier body is less discreet.

Macro Photography:
Both focus down to a standard 3 cm minimum distance, with optical stabilization helping in close-ups. I found the Panasonic’s touchscreen focus assists precision here, a small plus for detail lovers.

Night and Astrophotography:
Small sensors and limited ISO range hamper low-light performance overall. The Panasonic edges ahead thanks to its ISO 6400 support, though expect noise and softness. Neither is ideal for star trails or long exposures.

Video Shooting:
The Panasonic’s full HD 60 fps is superior for smooth video, while the Canon caps at 720p/25fps. Optical image stabilization on both aids handheld footage.

Travel Photography:
Here, the Panasonic’s lighter weight, slimmer profile, built-in Wi-Fi, and HDMI output make it a better all-rounder. The Canon’s AA battery convenience appeals for remote trips where chargers are scarce.

Professional Use:
Neither camera supports RAW capture, advanced exposure modes, or rugged weather sealing, making them ill-fitting for pro work. However, for casual, simple documentation or as backups, especially the Panasonic’s rich media features make a case.

Objective Ratings: Performance Overview & Genre Scores

Time for a quick snapshot of how these two stack up across key metrics:

Pros and Cons Snapshot

Canon PowerShot A810

Pros:

• Affordable street price (~$99)
• Easy-to-find AA batteries
• Higher megapixel sensor resolution (16MP)
• Face detection autofocus
• Simple, beginner-friendly controls

Cons:

• Bulky body for a compact
• Slow continuous shooting (1 fps)
• Modest ISO range (max 1600)
• Poor LCD resolution and no touchscreen
• No wireless connectivity or HDMI out
• No RAW support

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90

Pros:

• Slim, lightweight design
• Touchscreen LCD with higher resolution
• Faster continuous shooting (4 fps) and richer AF system
• Better video capabilities (1080p60, AVCHD, HDMI)
• Built-in wireless image transfer
• Wider lens coverage (24mm) and brighter max aperture
• Slightly higher ISO range (6400)

Cons:

• Higher price (~$227)
• Proprietary battery pack (less convenient than AA)
• No face detection AF
• No RAW support
• Slightly slippery ergonomics

Who Should Buy Which? Clear Recommendations

Having dissected these two contenders with an expert eye and real-world experience, here’s my bottom line for different types of buyers:

The Budget-Conscious Novice or Backup Shooter:

Canon PowerShot A810
If you want an ultra-affordable, no-fuss camera for snapshots, family events, or a backup for your smartphone with simple controls, the A810 delivers respectable image quality and familiar handling. Its AA batteries are a lifesaver when on the road without access to charging. Just temper expectations on speed, low light, and video.

The Enthusiast Who Wants More Features and Flexibility:

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90
If your budget stretches a bit further and you value sharper touchscreen controls, better video specs, and a more versatile lens, the FX90 is a better all-rounder. Its faster focusing and burst rate make it more adaptable for street, travel, and casual wildlife shooting, and wireless makes image sharing painless. The tradeoff is the need to manage its proprietary battery and slightly higher price.

Not Recommended for Serious Professionals or Low-Light Experts

Both cameras are constrained by their compact sensor technology, lack of RAW, no manual exposure dial, and modest ISO performance. For your serious work, prosumers and pros should look elsewhere (APS-C or full-frame mirrorless systems).

Final Thoughts: Two Peeps in the Pocket, One Clear Favorite for Most

Both the Canon PowerShot A810 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90 have carved modest niches in the bargain compact arena. While their CCD sensors and fixed lenses limit advanced photography ambitions, they remain reliable companions for casual shooters and on-the-go travelers.

If you prize simplicity, ease of battery replacement, and a low price tag, the Canon suits you. But if you want more imaging control, faster operation, and superior video, the Panasonic edges ahead - given you’re willing to accept the price hike and battery tradeoffs.

In my hands-on experience, the Panasonic FX90 felt like the camera more ready to handle today’s mixed stills-and-video demands with greater versatility. Meanwhile, the Canon A810 remains a cheapskate’s trusty friend with straightforward shooting, ideal for those just stepping into photography or those who want simple point-and-shoot fun.

Choose based on your priorities: price and convenience (Canon A810) or versatility and features (Panasonic FX90). Either way, you’re investing in a compact that keeps your photography adventures light and spontaneous.

Happy shooting!

This comparison is based on extensive hands-on tests, lab evaluations, and field use by a professional photographer and equipment reviewer with over 15 years of experience.