Skip to navigation
Login|Register
Log In

Remember me

RSS Feeds

Canon IXUS i5 review

Verdict:

Review Date: 20 Jan 2005

Price when reviewed: inc VAT

Reviewed By: David McKinnon

Our Rating 4 stars out of 5

Canon's ultra-compact IXUS i5 is one of the smallest 5-megapixel cameras around.

Available in a range of colours, its chic understated styling makes it as much a fashion accessory as digital camera. Although the front panel is plastic, the metal body feels reassuringly solid. There is no viewfinder, so shots have to be framed using the bright 1.5" LCD.

With a fixed focus lens, the only way to zoom without resorting to the digital zoom is to get closer to your target. This makes framing a picture harder, but the inclusion of a zoom lens would result in a more cumbersome body.

Functionally the IXUS i5 is a point-and-shoot camera designed to take great pictures with little user input and it does a good job. Colours are recorded accurately even with flash, so there isn't much call for the manual white balance tool.

Exposure is also well managed. Most shots are well metered with subtle contrast maintained within bright areas, although there is clear evidence of purple fringing on the border of very bright areas. Overall though, it is very easy to achieve excellent results with this camera.

A slider switch makes easy work of changing between playback, still and movie modes, and the menu system is clear and simple to navigate. Five still shooting modes are available, including a macro mode for close-up and a stitch assist mode to aid with panorama photos. Most of the time this camera should be left in Automatic mode, however, as it performs perfectly well for 90 per cent of situations.

The IXUS i5 looks great and produces sharp, well-balanced pictures. Designer styling attracts a premium price, but with no zoom lens, £226 seems just a bit too much for an otherwise superb camera.

Prev Next
< Previous   Reviews : Digital cameras Next >
Sponsored Links
Be the first to comment on this article

You need to Login or Register to comment.

(optional)

advertisement

Award-winning Digital cameras

Canon PowerShot SX150 IS review

Canon PowerShot SX150 IS

Category: Digital cameras
Rating: 2 out of 5
Price: £153
Sony NEX-7 review

Sony NEX-7

Category: Digital cameras
Rating: 4 out of 5
Price: £1,129
Magix Music Maker MX review

Magix Music Maker MX

Category: Software
Rating: 2 out of 5
Price: £40
Samsung MV800 review

Samsung MV800

Category: Digital cameras
Rating: 3 out of 5
Price: £190
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 review

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Category: Digital cameras
Rating: 5 out of 5
Price: £700
Digital SLR buying guide

Digital SLR buying guide

Find out all you need to know about choosing the right Digital SLR camera.

Read more

Ultrazoom digital camera buying guide

Ultrazoom digital camera buying guide

Find out all you need to know about choosing the right ultrazoom digital camera.

Read more

 

advertisement

Also in this category...
 
Computer Shopper

advertisement


advertisement


 
 

Expert Reviews Printed from www.expertreviews.co.uk

Register to receive our regular email newsletter at http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/registration.

The newsletter contains links to our latest PC news, product reviews, features and how-to guides, plus special offers and competitions.