Canon PowerShot N vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800: A Detailed Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right compact camera can be a challenge, especially when your options include models with distinct philosophies like the Canon PowerShot N and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800. Both cameras are entry-level compacts designed for casual use but have unique strengths and limitations that may sway your decision depending on your photography style, technical expectations, and budget.

Having spent thousands of hours testing cameras across genres, I’m here to break down the real-world differences, technical specs, and practical usability between these two models. Whether you’re a beginner stepping into photography, a casual shooter wanting a pocket-friendly option, or a visual creator seeking an affordable travel companion, this guide will help you make an informed choice.

Comparing Physical Design and Ergonomics: How Each Feels in Your Hands

Your camera’s design impacts how comfortably and intuitively you can shoot, especially during extended sessions. The Canon PowerShot N and Sony W800 both fall under the compact category but cater to slightly different preferences.

First Impressions

The Canon PowerShot N stands out with its unconventional square design and a fully articulating touchscreen. This combination offers creative shooting angles, including top-down snaps and selfies. The touchscreen is responsive and supports intuitive gestures, giving you quick access to settings without button clutter.

In contrast, the Sony W800 adopts a slimmer and lighter body with conventional button controls and a fixed, non-touch screen. Its smaller footprint and lower weight make it easier to slip into tight pockets, favoring portability over ergonomic control finesse.

Who Should Care About This?

• If you prioritize handling versatility and creative compositions, especially selfies and overhead shots - Canon N’s design excels.

• If ultra-portability and straightforward point-and-shoot usability are your focus, the Sony W800’s slim profile will appeal more.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: What’s Under the Hood Matters

Image quality begins with the sensor. Despite belonging to the same "small sensor compact" category, these two cameras use different sensor types and resolutions, which impacts picture clarity, dynamic range, and low-light performance.

CMOS vs. CCD: The Fundamental Difference

• Canon N's CMOS sensor generally offers faster readout speeds, better noise performance at higher ISOs, and supports features like optical image stabilization more effectively due to integrated processing capabilities.

• Sony W800’s CCD sensor tends to deliver excellent color fidelity and sharpness in good lighting but struggles with noise and dynamic range in low light or high contrast scenes.

Resolution and Image Detail

The Sony W800's 20MP sensor suggests higher resolution images compared to Canon N's 12MP. However, real-world testing reveals that while the Sony produces larger images, the finer details can be compromised by older CCD technology’s noise profile and limited dynamic range. The Canon’s CMOS sensor, paired with its Digic 5 processor, delivers cleaner images in varied lighting and retains colors more naturally, especially under challenging conditions.

Everyday Impact

• For portraits and social media snapshots in daylight, both deliver acceptable image quality, but the Canon’s better noise control provides more forgiving results indoors or on cloudy days.

• Landscape shooters benefit from Sony’s higher resolution for large prints but may notice limited dynamic range, particularly in shadows and highlights.

Viewing Experience and User Interface: Framing Your Shots with Ease

User interface and viewfinder options are crucial for composition and control feedback.

The Canon N’s bright, sharp touchscreen simplifies menu navigation and allows you to select focus points with tap gestures - an advantage when composing self-portraits or awkward angles without an electronic viewfinder.

The Sony W800 uses a conventional non-touch LCD with physical buttons for all controls. While less versatile, it’s straightforward and familiar for new users who prefer tactile buttons over touch.

Lens Reach and Aperture: Versatility for Everyday Shooting

Fixed-lens compacts rely on their zoom range and aperture for creative freedom. The focal ranges and aperture values shown below guide what kinds of compositions each camera supports.

Zoom and Aperture: Practical Effects

• Canon N’s 8x zoom offers a much longer telephoto reach at 224mm equivalent, which is handy for tighter portraits or distant subjects like wildlife or sports.

• Sony W800’s 5x zoom is limited to 130mm equivalent, which restricts telephoto framing but covers typical day-to-day snapshots well.

• Maximum aperture values favor Canon, especially at the telephoto end where its f/5.9 beats Sony’s narrower f/6.4 aperture. This allows more light and slightly better low-light performance and bokeh capability at longer focal lengths.

Autofocus Performance: Speed and Accuracy When It Matters Most

Both cameras use contrast-detection autofocus but with important differences in implementation:

Testing Results and Notes

• The Sony W800 shines in quick face detection and lock-on tracking within simple scenes, making snapshots easier to frame, especially group portraits and casual outdoor shots.

• The Canon N’s AF is slower and less versatile, lacking face detection and continuous AF modes. It feels more manual with slower acquisition, which may frustrate action or street photographers who require speed and precision.

Video Capabilities: Which Compact Better Captures Motion?

Though primarily photo cameras, video has become a key use-case for many photographers.

Practical Takeaways

• The Canon N offers superior video resolution with Full HD recording, capturing more detail. The option for slow-motion capture (120 and 240 fps) in low resolutions adds creative flair.

• The Sony W800 tops out at 720p HD video, limiting quality for modern viewing or editing needs.

Neither camera offers external microphone input or advanced video features, so they are best suited for casual video capture.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Powered and Ready

Battery life for both models is modest; you won’t want to rely solely on these compacts for long shoots without backup batteries or frequent recharging. The Canon uses the smaller microSD card format, which may be less common but offers compatibility benefits for mobile devices, while the Sony supports a wider variety including Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick alongside standard SD cards.

Real-World Shooting Situations: How Each Camera Performs Across Photography Genres

Now, let's tie the specifications into concrete performance scenarios to see where each camera stands.

Portrait Photography

• Canon N: With its accurate color processing and versatile zoom, it handles casual portraits well. However, the lack of face detection and less responsive autofocus may hinder capturing fleeting expressions.

• Sony W800: Face detection and AF tracking excel here, helping novices get sharp portraits with ease. The higher resolution sensor provides more detail in skin textures, but limited aperture range means less control over background blur.

Landscape Photography

• Canon N: Tilting touchscreen aids creative framing. CMOS sensor and Digic 5 processor deliver reasonable dynamic range, rendering natural colors in various lighting.

• Sony W800: Higher megapixel count seems advantageous but is limited by CCD sensor’s lower dynamic range and higher noise in shadows. Fixed screen restricts compositional flexibility.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Neither is designed for fast action capture:

  • Canon N’s 2 fps burst and slower AF make it challenging to track fast subjects.

  • Sony W800’s 1 fps burst lags further, plus limited zoom range hampers framing distant subjects.

Street Photography

• Canon N’s compact yet quirky design and touchscreen might draw unwanted attention, but its creative angles can add style.

• Sony W800’s slim, inconspicuous body suits street shooters looking for a grab-and-go camera, though slower focusing limits capturing spontaneous moments.

Macro Photography

• Canon N shines here with 1cm macro focusing distance, allowing you to capture detailed close-ups.

• Sony W800 lacks macro specs, offering only standard close focus; fine detail shots are less achievable.

Night and Astro Photography

• Both cameras have limited low-light capacity due to small sensors.

• Canon N’s higher maximum ISO (6400) is an edge, but noise still significantly degrades image quality beyond ISO 800-1600.

• Neither supports long exposure or bulb modes, limiting astro potential.

Video Uses

• Canon’s Full HD and slow-motion options provide more creative freedom than Sony’s basic HD video. Neither has advanced audio support, so external recording gear is recommended for serious use.

Travel Photography

• Both compact sizes and light weight favor travel.

• Canon’s tilting screen and longer zoom make it versatile for capturing landscapes, street scenes, and souvenirs.

• Sony’s longer battery life, lighter weight, and conventional controls favor quick shooting on the move.

Professional Workflow Integration

• Neither camera supports RAW capture, limiting post-processing flexibility.

• The Canon’s CMOS sensor and Digic processor produce cleaner JPEGs, preferred for quick delivery.

• Sony’s higher resolution files are larger but less flexible in editing due to sensor limitations.

Canon N front Canon N screen back Sony W800 front Sony W800 screen back

Here you see side-by-side sample shots highlighting differences in color reproduction, sharpness, and noise levels in varied lighting conditions.

Reliability and Build Quality: Durability for Everyday Use

Both cameras are entry-level compacts with plastic builds and no environmental sealing. Handle gently and protect from moisture and dust accordingly.

Wireless Connectivity and Extras

Wi-Fi in the Canon N enables easy transfer to smartphones or tablets for social sharing. Sony’s W800 lacks wireless features but supports a variety of storage formats including Sony’s Memory Stick.

Control layout differences affect how quickly you access settings during shooting. Canon N’s minimalist controls rely heavily on the touchscreen, while Sony W800 favors physical buttons.

Performance Ratings and Value Assessment

Though neither camera is ranked by DxOMark, our hands-on evaluation places them as follows:

How These Cameras Score Across Photography Genres

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Should You Choose?

Choose the Canon PowerShot N if...

• You want a modern, touch-driven interface and creative shooting angles.
• Macro photography and versatility with longer zoom are priorities.
• You shoot casual videos needing Full HD and slow-motion capabilities.
• You value better low-light performance and cleaner image processing.
• You don’t mind spending more for these added features.

Choose the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800 if...

• Budget is your top concern and you want a simple, pocketable camera.
• Quick face detection autofocus helps you get sharp portraits easily.
• You prefer tactile buttons and a conventional user interface over touchscreens.
• Portability and lightweight design are key for travel snapshots.
• You shoot mainly in bright conditions and need straightforward functionality.

Getting the Most Out of Either Camera

Regardless of your choice, remember:

• Use quality memory cards and spare batteries to avoid interruptions.
• Invest in a protective case to guard the lightweight plastic body.
• Explore the in-camera settings to optimize color profiles and stabilization.
• Experiment with manual modes where available to learn photography fundamentals.
• Consider upgrading to lenses or cameras with RAW and manual controls when you evolve your creative needs.

Photography is a journey - your camera is a tool to help you explore light and capture moments. The Canon PowerShot N and Sony W800 each offer unique paths. Feel free to check them out in person, try handling them, and see which interface feels right for you.

Happy shooting!

If you want hands-on demonstrations or sample images to compare further, local camera stores or photography meetups can be great places to test these models.

About the Author

With over 15 years of experience testing cameras and lenses across genres including portraiture, landscape, wildlife, and videography, I’ve developed a keen sense for how gear performs both technically and creatively. My reviews aim to give you clear, practical insights so you make confident choices that fuel your photographic growth.