Easy To Use Canon Digital Camera

If you are looking for an easy to use camera to take photos without a hitch with an attractive price point to boot, then the Ixus 80 IS from Canon may just be the digital camera you are looking for.

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More often than not, users who are looking for a digital still camera want something that is sturdy, easy to use, and is equipped with a set of features that may possibly make their photos look good. Although the 80 IS looks just like any other Canon Ixus camera, it comes with a set of features that may satisfy just about any casual, trigger-happy photographer.

The Canon Ixus 80 IS has opted for a classic yet modern look with its silver circle and five different coloured casings (blue, brown, pink, silver, and gold) instead of the black circle found on other Ixus models. The camera is small but is well-constructed, with the unit feeling sturdy overall and its buttons being tight but responsive. The digital camera comes with an 8-megapixel sensor, 3x optical zoom, face detection, motion detection technology, and an optical image stabilisation to minimise blurs.

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The clever button layout allows a user to operate the unit with one hand. The power on/off button, shutter button, and zoom lever can be found on top of the unit, while the mode switch, print button, four-way navigation keys, function set button, display button, and menu button can be found next to the 2.5-inch LCD. The battery and memory card compartment is located at the bottom of the unit, whereas an A/V Out port that is used for printing or displaying photos on the screen is located next to the lanyard loop.

This point and shoot comes with a lot of preset functions that make shooting as simple as ever. Pressing the Function Set button displays the eight main shooting modes (Auto, Manual, Digital Macro, Portrait, Night Snapshot, Colour Accent, Colour Swap, and Kids&Pets), as well as exposure, auto white balance (AWB), colour settings (like Sepia, Vivid, Black and White), metering mode (Evaluative, Centre Weighted Avg., Spot), compression, and recording pixels options. The directional buttons also adjust various settings such as ISO, macro/infinity shot adjustments, flash toggle, single/multi shot, and self-timer mode, giving users easy access to these settings in a snap.

The images taken from the Canon IXUS 80 IS were good enough, but not as stellar as we want it to be. At low ISO settings, (80 up to 400) various photos taken were sharp and detailed. It is at high ISO settings however, that the 80 IS shows its weakness as photos taken at ISO 1600 displayed undesirable amounts of noise. The face detection setting is now better than ever as the camera automatically adjusts exposure, lighting, and even skin tones when photographing friends or family. In addition, taking photographs of fast-paced sporting events is now easier as the Motion Detection Technology of the Ixus 80 IS analyses subject movement and shoots faster to take ‘that’ shot.

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The various shooting effects found in My Colour Mode were able to give emphasis on various subjects/objects, giving photos a classic or vivid look. In addition, the automatic white balance (AWB) of the 80 IS is able to produce natural looking colours, just so long as the correct setting is chosen. Finally, the Ixus 80 IS is SDHC, and MMC Plus, HC MMC Plus compatible (besides being able to use MMC and SD cards), allowing users to take thousands of photos before having to replace the memory card.

Overall, we are impressed with the Canon Ixus 80 IS. It is a compact digital camera that is quick to start-up, is easy to use, and comes with a suite of features that may assist you in your shooting endeavours. And with an attractive price point of $379, this digital camera will be a great and inexpensive purchase for those who are looking for a camera to bring all the time.

See page over for product specifications and final rating.

 Canon Ixus 80 IS specifications:

CCD / Image Processor:
Effective Number of Pixels: Approx. 8.0 MP
Size / Filter Array: 1/2.5 inch / Primary colour filter (Bayer)
Processor: DiG!C III

Lens:
Focal Length (optical): 6.2(W) – 18.6(T)
35mm film equivalent: 38 (W) – 114 (T) mm
f/number: f/2.8- 8.0 (W), f/4.9-14.0 (T)
Shutter Speed: 15 – 1/1500 sec.
Zoom: Approx. 3x
Image Stabiliser: Optical (Lens-shift type)

Focusing / Range:
AF System: TTL Autofocus
Focusing Frame: Face detect / 9-point AiAF / 1-point AF (fixed: centre)
AF Lock: Available
Range: Normal: 30cm – infinity, Macro: cm – 50cm (W), 30cm – 50cm (T)

Control/Balance:
Light Metering Method: Evaluative / Centre-weighted average / Spot
Exposure Control Method: Program AE
Exposure Compensation: 2 stops in 1/3-stop increments
Sensitivity (Equivalent Film Speed): Auto / ISO 80 / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 equivalent
White Balance Control: TTL White Balance
White Balance Modes: Auto, Pre-set (Daylight / Cloudy / Tungsten / Fluorescent / Fluorescent H) + Custom

LCD:
LCD Monitor: 2.5 inch TFT colour LCD

Flash:
Flash Modes: Auto/On/Off/Slow-synchro/Red-eye reduction is available
Flash Range: Normal: 30 cm -3.5 m (W) 30 cm – 2.0 m (T)
Other Flash Functions: Face Detect FE / FE Lock

Selectable Shooting Modes:
Shooting Modes: Auto Camera M (manual): Digital Macro / Portrait / Night Snapshot / Colour Accent / Colour Swap / Stitch Assist / Movie
Special Scene: Kids and Pets / Indoor / Sunset / Foliage / Snow / Beach / Fireworks / Aquarium / Underwater
My Colours: Vivid / Neutral / Sepia / Black & White / Positive Film / Lighter Skin Tone / Darker Skin Tone / Vivid Green / Vivid Red / Vivid Blue / Custom Colour

Image Recording Format:
Still image: JPEG Compression (EXIF 2.2 Compliant)
Colour Space: sRGB
Output Data: Motion JPEG / WAVE (monaural)
JPEG Compression Levels: Superfine / Fine / Normal

Recording Pixels:
Still Images: 3264 x 2448
Continuous Shooting (Large/Fine): Approx 1.3 shots/sec
Movie Recording (Large): 640 x 480, 30fps

Self-timer: Approx. 10 sec or 2 sec delay, or custom.

Output: PAL or NTSC Selectable / Monaural
Memory Storage: SD Memory Card / SDHC Memory card / Multimedia Card / MMC Plus Card / HC MMC Plus Card

Dimensions (W x D x H): 86.8 x 22.0 x 54.8 mm (ex. protruding parts)
Weight: 125g

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Canon Ixus 80 IS | $379 |  | www.canon.com.au

For: Image quality; Image stabilisation; Face detection; Ease of use
Against: Cannot handle high ISO settings well
Conclusion: Snap away with this small and inexpensive Canon digital camera.