Compact cameras are fun ways to capture still pictures without relying on your smartphone’s power. The Sony DSC W800 Vs Canon IXUS 185 are perfect options for budget shoppers and casuals who want a convenient way to immortalize their moments. These pocket cameras have a decent optical zoom and image quality while also being easy to use. Today we will see what else the two can offer and which fits you best.
In this comparison, we will talk about the following:
- Do You Need a Pocket Camera
- What are Sony DSC W800 and Canon IXUS 185
- How is the Design of the Sony DSC W800 and Canon IXUS 185
- How are the Camera Specs of Sony DSC W800 and Canon IXUS 185
- How is the Image Quality of Sony DSC W800 and Canon IXUS 185
- How is the Performance of the Sony DSC W800 and Canon IXUS 185
- How is the Ease of Use of Sony DSC W800 and Canon IXUS 185
- Sony DSC W800 Vs Canon IXUS 185
Pocket Camera
Smartphones are getting more powerful and reliable, but it doesn’t mean the dedicated camera has no place anymore. We still think taking photos with a regular camera can be fun and nostalgic, especially if you have small storage and want to preserve the phone’s battery for other, more important things. A pocket camera is easy to use. Chances are many of us have one in the 90s or early 2000s. The pocket camera can produce decent image quality, has a good optical zoom, and is not as expensive as popular flagship phones.
About Sony DSC W800 and Canon IXUS 185
Huge companies like Canon and Sony no longer focus on their pocket cameras because enthusiasts and professionals need the most powerful lineup, which is often a versatile choice like mirrorless. The pocket cameras won’t have the latest and most advanced technology, but they are cheap. You can even find a pocket camera for $100 like the Kodak Pixpro FZ43 Vs FZ53. Still, we recommend adding more to get a better camera with better image quality; ease of use is also important.
The Sony DSC W800 and Canon IXUS 185 are ideal options for everyone who wants a good pocket camera. You can’t expect these cameras to carry the most advanced technology or impressive image quality, but they are fun and intuitive. These cameras produce good image quality, especially if you only need the digital file or printing in regular paper size. We don’t think they will look awesome if you plan to blow up the prints. The best thing about these cameras is the price point, as they are very affordable.
These cameras sell for less than $300, and less than $200 for the DSC W800. The DSC W800 is Sony’s cheapest digital camera with five optical zooms, while IXUS 185 can do 8x optical zoom. The image quality from these cameras is comparable, and as with every camera, the pictures will look much better with decent lighting, like in outdoor settings.
Sony DSC W800 and Canon IXUS 185 Design
These cameras are lightweight and compact, so you can put them in trousers or jacket pockets. The housing is equally plastic, which gives these cameras a cheap feeling but makes them lightweight. However, we think the DSC W800 looks slightly better because it has a faux metal brushed finish, even though the material is plastic. Sony also features a small grip to improve handling, but these cameras are pretty small, so it is best to hold them with both hands to stabilize the unit.
Sony DSC W800 and Canon IXUS 185 Camera Specs
Let’s see the Sony DSC W800 and Canon IXUS 185 camera specs to get an idea of what they can offer. Both cameras use a small 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, similar to smartphone camera sensors. The effective pixel count is also identical at 20MP with a focal length of 23 mm and 28 mm from 32mm equivalent. The main difference is that Canon can zoom up to 8x with a maximum aperture of f/6.9, while Sony can zoom up to 5x with a maximum aperture of f/6.4. These cameras have EIS to stabilize the shot.
Sony DSC W800 and Canon IXUS 185 Image Quality
The most crucial part of a camera is the image quality which should meet your preference. The image quality from Sony DSC W800 and Canon IXUS 185 is decent and similar to those you can see on mid-range smartphones. The details and clarity are pretty good as long as you manage the ISO and exposure. You can use both cameras in Auto mode and the option to let you adjust a few settings, including the ISO level. For outdoors, the ISO 100 is an excellent choice to maintain clarity.
Indoor settings may require higher ISO, and we can still enjoy the result at ISO 800. Setting the ISO higher causes the image to produce some noticeable noise. You can adjust the exposure within +/-2, which should work for most applications.
Sony DSC W800 and Canon IXUS 185 Performance
Performance-wise, the Sony DSC W800 and Canon IXUS 185 are not as snappy as your flagship phone, but they are not laggy either. There will be a few seconds from the OFF state to take a picture, and once the camera is powered, they will feel pretty responsive. The battery life is decent, as you can take around 200 pictures before recharging. We recommend buying another battery if you will bring the camera to an exciting destination or when you will take a lot of photos or videos.
Like most cameras, these two can pinpoint the focus in good lighting, but the cameras are noticeably slower in dim conditions. Taking pictures in low light is assisted with the built-in flash, which you can adjust manually.
Sony DSC W800 and Canon IXUS 185 Ease of Use
The user experience with Sony DSC W800 and Canon IXUS 185 is acceptably good. We don’t have high expectations or compare them with flagship phones which arguably have better image processing and built-in features. Unlike DSLR and mirrorless cameras that carry many more features and allow you to adjust multiple settings manually, these cameras are much more straightforward, almost like a smartphone camera. These cameras have an Auto mode for convenience and a few manual adjustments to let you achieve the best possible result with the device.
Sony DSC W800 Vs Canon IXUS 185
The image quality from Sony DSC W800 and Canon IXUS 185 is pretty similar, best when there is adequate light and no mixed amount of light on your frame. Generally, the ISO 800 is still pretty good, but we don’t recommend using the higher settings as they start to look grainy on either camera. The main difference is that IXUS 185 can zoom a bit further. But, we are not a fan of the flash’s placement, as it can get covered by your finger when stabilizing the camera.
Conclusion
The decision is yours because Sony DSC W800 and Canon IXUS 185 are equally good options. We recommend the DSC W800 from Sony because this is a far more affordable camera with similar image quality. We assume you don’t need the most excellent image quality and manual control, and this camera does its job well for the price.
