Features
Handling
Performance
Verdict
Specification
The A810 was launched in February 2012 as part of Canon's range of PowerShot cameras, as well as the A1300, A2300, A2400 IS and A3400 IS. It is available in black and silver for around £70.
Canon PowerShot A810 Features
The A810 has a 16 megapixel sensor and 5x optical zoom lens, which is a 35mm equivalent of 28-140mm. It has Digital Image Stabilisation (IS) in order to combat camera shake to ensure photos and videos are as sharp as possible.
For the novice photographer there is Smart Auto which chooses the correct scene from 32 variables and adjusts the camera settings automatically. If you get stuck at any time there is a help button which gives guidance on using your camera and its different functions.
There are a number of creative modes such as Fish-eye effect, Super Vivid, Poster, Toy Camera, Miniature and Monochrome. Live View Control allows you to experiment with picture settings like brightness and colour intensity, then preview the results while framing. Face Detection Technology detects up to 35 faces in a single frame making sure they remain in focus with optimum brightness. Face Detection White Balance ensures natural skin tones even in unusual lighting conditions with Auto Red-Eye Correction eliminating red-eye.
The A810 records videos at 720p HD.
Key Features
- 16.0 megapixel sensor
- 5x optical zoom lens (35mm equiv: 28-140mm)
- Digital Image Stabilisation
- 2.7 inch LCD screen
- Smart Auto (32 scenes)
- 720p HD video recording
- ISO 100-1600
- 3cm minimum focusing distance
- Creative modes
- AA batteries
- Available in red, pink and silver
Canon PowerShot A810 Handling
The A810 has a plastic body, with a chunky side where the batteries are which aids grip. The buttons are large, easy to press and fairly typical for a compact camera with dedicated movie and help placed on the rear. The camera also has an easy to use menu system which is cycled through using the d-pad and func set button. When it is switched off, the playback button can be pressed to view your pictures and videos. The screen is fairly small at 2.7 inches but is bright, clear, and easy to see.
The batteries have a CIPA rating of 220 shots, we managed just nearly 500 on the ones sent with the camera, the number of shots you get will depend on the quality of batteries purchased. We tested the camera's performance at focusing, shutter response, shot-to-shot time, continuous shooting etc. and have posted the results below. To test this we took 6 or more shots and calculated the average, so that consistent results were produced.
| Shutter Response | 0.125 secs | |
| Wide - Focus / Shutter Response | 0.6 secs | |
| Full zoom - Focus / Shutter Response | 0.7 secs | |
| Switch on Time to Taking a Photo | 2.4 secs | |
| Shot to Shot (without flash) | 2.7 secs | |
| Shot to Shot with Flash | 6.5 secs | |
| Continuous Shooting | 0.7 fps | |
| Continuous Shooting (with flash) | 0.25 fps |
Continuous shooting records at full 16 megapixel resolution.
Canon PowerShot A810 Performance
Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review and product ratings.
Canon PowerShot A810 Sample Photos
Canon PowerShot A810 Lens test images
Lens Performance - Images are fairly well detailed, but there's not enough if you want really impressive large prints. With the impressive colour reproduction the images are great if you like to share them on the web on your favourite social networking site. Macros are fairly good, particularly as the lens has a minimum focusing distance of 3cm.
Canon PowerShot A810 ISO test images
ISO Noise Performance - Images are free of noise at ISO 100 but there is a slight touch appearing at ISO 200. At ISO 400 there are some white dots appearing, but a decent, fairly sharp image is produced. There is a loss of detail in places at ISO 800, with a slight softening, ISO 1600 produces images which are even softer with black and white dots now appearing, but will still produce images which are good for web sharing.
Canon PowerShot A810 White-balance test images
White Balance Performance - When using the AWB preset under the incandescent lights an orange cast is present, with the incandescent preset producing a good image. The AWB preset copes really well under the fluorescent lighting, with the fluorescent preset also doing a pretty good job.
Canon PowerShot A810 Digital filters
Digital Filters - The A810 doesn't have digital filters as such, but these are listed amongst the scene modes, which allow you to be more creative with your pictures.
Video - Below is a video shot at 720p HD, there is no optical zoom during recording but you can use digital zoom.