In summary
High imager resolution plus an optically stabilised wide-angle zoom lens and some handy new functions make the Ixus 850 IS a good choice for snapshooters.A slightly longer zoom lens, built-in image stabilisation and some handy new functions are the key features that distinguish the new Canon Ixus 850IS from the popular Ixus 750 model, although the new camera’s styling has been changed a little. Although the traditional metal Ixus body is retained, the Ixus 850IS is slightly larger than its predecessor, though 20 grams lighter. It comes in a very business-like grey instead of burnished gold and is $50 cheaper than the Ixus 750 was on release. . . [more]
Full review
A slightly longer zoom lens, built-in image stabilisation and some handy new functions are the key features that distinguish the new Canon Ixus 850IS from the popular Ixus 750 model, although the new camera’s styling has been changed a little. Although the traditional metal Ixus body is retained, the Ixus 850IS is slightly larger than its predecessor, though 20 grams lighter. It comes in a very business-like grey instead of burnished gold and is $50 cheaper than the Ixus 750 was on release.
Superficially, the two cameras are otherwise similar, although the new model boasts some changes that are both beneficial and detrimental. On the plus side, control buttons are slightly larger and easier to operate and the mode dial has been tightened to make it easier to keep the camera in the desired shooting mode. The on/off button is now a circular segment, set into the top panel. You’re less likely to turn the camera on inadvertently – but it’s so small you need to use a fingernail to switch the camera on. The battery/card compartment has a larger cover, which pushes out and up to open. However the hinge looks and feels flimsy and we have reservations about its durability.
The zoom lens ranges from 4.6-17.3mm, which is equivalent to 28-105mm in 35mm format – and the wider angle of view is a huge improvement. Canon has also boosted the top ISO setting to 1600, which is usable thanks to the new DiG!C III image processor (although long exposures at this setting with the test camera were visibly noise-affected). But, probably the most interesting new feature for most potential buyers is the addition of a Face Detection function, which automatically identifies faces in shots.
When Face Detect is selected in the AiAF menu setting, the camera can identify up to three faces in the field of view with a superimosed box on the display. (When no faces are detected on the screen, the AF system automatically switches to the standard AiAF setting. Depending on shooting conditions, the camera will then ‘optimise’ the image to achieve acceptable brightness across the screen. The flash is fired when necessary. For bright subjects against a dark background (eg, flash shots), it will suppress the over-bright tones in the face and for backlit subjects it will bring up exposure levels or fire a fill-in flash. The system works well and will be a boon to snapshooters.
Canon has also added a new system that allows users to organize images into categories and perform searches, play slideshows, protect, erase or allocate print settings to groups of shots. Three main category folders are set-up in the camera: People, Scenery and Events, each of which has between three and seven sub-categories. When Auto Category is set to ‘On’ in the shooting menu, shots will be organised into the appropriate category. In playback mode, new categories can be added and existing ones can be changed or erased.
The test camera’s general performance was similar in most respects to that of the Ixus 750. Shots taken in bright daylight were colourful and detailed with a wider than average dynamic range for a compact digicam. White balance performance was outstanding – except when the auto mode was used in incandescent lighting. Image noise was well-controlled up to ISO 400 but obvious thereafter, more so in long exposures than flash shots.
Imatest showed resolution to be slightly below expectations at ISO 100 and identified a slight loss of sharpness between the centre and edge of field. Resolution deteriorated markedly above ISO 400. Lateral chromatic aberration was detected – but at a moderate level – and no coloured fringing was seen in outdoor shots. Close-up performance was excellent but some barrel distortion was evident in wide-angle shots.
Start-up and shut down is almost instantaneous and images are processed within a second or so. We measured an average capture lag of 0.35 seconds, which became negligible with pre-focusing. The burst mode recorded shots at 0.6 second intervals and a burst of eight shots took less than 3 seconds to process. Flash recycle time was approximately one second. Flash performance was generally very good at all sensitivity settings and the illumination was nicely balanced. Digital zoom quality was above average, although details were softened and some compression artefacts became visible at full zoom.
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SAMPLE IMAGES
Close-up performance was excellent.
The white balance control produced consistently neutral colours – and above average results when the auto setting was used under incandescent light.
Image noise was obvious in long exposures at the top ISO settings.
Specifications
Image sensor: 5.76 x 4.29mm CCD with 7.4 million photosites (7.1 megapixels effective)
Lens: 4.6-17.3mm f2.8-5.8 zoom (28-105mm in 35mm format)
Zoom ratio: 3.8x optical, up to 4x digital
Image formats: Stills – JPEG (Exif 2.2); Movies – Motion JPEG/WAVE (monaural) VAG/QVGA 30/15 fps; QQVGA 15 fps
Image Sizes: 2816 x 2112, 2272 x 1704, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480
Shutter speed range: 15 – 1/1600 sec.
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2 stops in 1/3-stop increments
Focus system/range: TTL Autofocus with Face detect, 9-point AiAF, 1-point AF (fixed: centre); range 45 cm to infinity; macro 3-60 cm
Exposure metering/control: Evaluative, Centre-weighted average, Spot metering; Program AE plus 10 Scene modes, 11 My Colours modes, Digital Macro, Colour Accent, Colour Swap and Stitch Assist
White balance: Auto, Pre-set (Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom
Flash modes/range (ISO auto): Auto, On, Off, Slow-synchro (Red-eye reduction is available); range 50 cm – 4.0 m (W) 50 cm – 2.0 m (T)
ISO range: Auto, ISO 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 equivalent
Sequence shooting: Approx 2.1 frames/sec
Storage Media: SD/SDHC/MMC memory cards
Viewfinder: Real-image optical zoom viewfinder
LCD monitor: 2.5 inch Low-temperature polycrystalline silicon TFT colour LCD
Power supply: NB5L lithium-ion battery
Dimensions (wxhxd): 89.5 x 25.1 x 58.0mm
Weight: Approx. 150g (camera body only)
Retailers
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Ted’s Cameras
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Big range of cameras and photographic products with stores in most states and online.
Rating
RRP: $749
Rating (out of 10):
- Build: 8.5
- Ease of use: 8.5
- Image quality: 8.5
- OVERALL: 8.5