In summary
A smart-looking ultra-slim digicam with a large LCD for framing and reviewing shots.The Digital Ixus 75 replaces the 6-megapixel Ixus 65 model and is one of several 7.1-megapixel, 3x optical zoom digicams Canon has released this year. Distinguished by a circular accent around the lens, the Ixus 75 has the same lens as its predecessor and, like its predecessor, lacks a viewfinder. However the new model sports a 3.0-inch PureColor LCD. The image processor has been upgraded to DiG!C III, which includes Face Detection AF/AE/FE and Noise Reduction Technology and red-eye correction is offered with image playback. . . [more]
Full review
The Digital Ixus 75 replaces the 6-megapixel Ixus 65 model and is one of several 7.1-megapixel, 3x optical zoom digicams Canon has released this year. Distinguished by a circular accent around the lens, the Ixus 75 has the same lens as its predecessor and, like its predecessor, lacks a viewfinder. However the new model sports a 3.0-inch PureColor LCD. The image processor has been upgraded to DiG!C III, which includes Face Detection AF/AE/FE and Noise Reduction Technology and red-eye correction is offered with image playback.
Slightly slimmer than the earlier model, the Ixus 75 weighs only 130 grams, although its actual body size is only marginally smaller. Most controls are small enough to challenge users with large fingers or limited dexterity. So small is the recessed power switch you have to use a fingernail to turn the camera on! Beside it on the top panel is a three-position slider that selects between the still and video capture modes and accesses the scene pre-sets. The zoom control is a ring surrounding the shutter button.
Three quarters of the rear panel is occupied by the LCD, leaving the arrow pad and print/share, review, Menu/erase and display buttons hugging the right side of the camera. The arrow pad is actually a touch-sensitive control dial that allows you to access the associated focus, ISO, flash and drive functions by running a fingertip around the circle. A Function Set button in the centre accesses operational controls.
Setting the slider to the Auto still capture position (marked with a camera icon) allows you to choose between six shooting modes by pressing the Function Set button. These include full auto, camera manual (which supports adjustments of exposure compensation, white balance, ISO and My Colours settings); Digital Macro, Colour Accent, Colour Swap and Stitch Assist (panorama). The SCN (Special Scene) mode has settings for Portrait, Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Indoor, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Aquarium and Underwater.
The large LCD is a pleasure to use – provided the ambient lighting isn’t too bright. Out of doors in bright sunlight it’s no more readable than other LCDs. However, in indoor lighting it provides an excellent platform for playing back shots and its brightness can be adjusted via either the set-up menu or the Display button to meet users’ requirements. Users can also choose between data and no-data displays for both shooting and playback modes and between Standard and Detailed data displays in playback mode, the latter providing a small histogram for checking exposures.
The camera is supplied with a wrist strap, which attaches to a loop on the side panel between the brand name and the arrow pad. Replacing the strap with a laynard allows the camera to be worn around the neck, a feasible option for users. A waterproof housing is available for underwater use.
Performance
Overall shooting performance was typical of most small-sensor digicams. Shots taken outdoors were bright with elevated saturation and contrast. Exposures were pitched towards recording shadow detail so highlights were frequently blocked up. A warmish colour cast was attractive but at the cost of colour-accuracy and this was borne out by Imatest testing, which showed slight colour shifts in reds and yellows and boosted saturation for most hues. Interestingly, colour accuracy was at its best at ISO 1600, where image noise made shots almost unusable.
Imatest also showed lateral chromatic aberration to be low and, with some test shots, negligible. However, vertical resolution was somewhat below expectations for a 7-megapixel digicam. Horizontal resolution was slightly better. By ISO 800 resolution had deteriorated noticeably in both dimensions. (See Imatest graphs below.)
Focusing was generally fast and accurate and close-ups were handled competently. Digital zoom shots were slightly soft and beset with the usual compression and interpolation artefacts. Video performance was as good as you would expect from a digicam that can record VGA clips at 30 fps but the monaural sound was unexciting.
Image noise was visible in low-light shots at ISO 400 and became progressively more noticeable until ISO 1600 where shots were obviously noise-affected. (Sample crops from Imatest test shots are shown below.) The flash required an ISO setting of at least 400 before there was sufficient light to illuminate an average-sized room. The auto white balance had the usual problems with incandescent lighting but performed well under fluorescent lights. The white balance pre-sets and custom measurement produced images with reasonably accurate colours.
We measured an average capture lag of 0.35 seconds, which reduced to less than 0.1 second with pre-focusing. The continuous shooting mode recorded shots at 0.55 second intervals stopping only when the memory was full, regardless of the resolution setting. A burst of 10 high-resolution images took three seconds to process.
IMATEST GRAPHS
Test image taken at ISO 100.
Test image taken at ISO 1600.
SAMPLE IMAGES
Close-up.
Digital zoom.
IMAGE NOISE EXAMPLES
ISO 80
ISO 400
ISO 800
ISO 1600
Specifications
Image sensor: 5.76 x 4.29 mm CCD sensor with 7.4 million photosites (7.1 megapixels effective)
Lens: 5.8-17.4mm f/2.8-4.9 zoom lens (35-105mm in 35mm format)
Zoom ratio: 3x optical, up to 4x digital
Image formats: Stills ““ JPEG (Exif 2.2); Movie ““ Motion JPEG/WAV
Image Sizes: Stills ““ 3072×2304, 2592×1944, 2048×1536, 640×480; Movies ““ 640×480 (15/30 fps); 320×240 (30/15/60 fps); 160 x 120 (15 fps)
Shutter speed range: 15-1/1500 second
Image Stabilisation: n.a.
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: 30 cm to infinity; macro 3-50 cm.
Exposure metering/control: Evaluative, centre-weighted and spot metering; Auto, Camera M (manual) shooting modes plus: Digital Macro, Colour Accent, Colour Swap, Stitch Assist, Movie, Special Scene (( settings). My Colours (11 settings)
ISO range: Auto, ISO 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
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 – 0.5 to 3.5 m.
Sequence shooting: Approx 1.7 shots/sec
Storage Media: SD/SDHC/MMC cards
Viewfinder: n.a.
LCD monitor: 3.0-inch low-temperature polycrystalline silicon TFT colour LCD
Power supply: NB4L lithium-ion rechargeable battery
Dimensions (wxhxd): 91.6 x 19.6 x 56.8 mm (ex. protruding parts)
Weight: Approx. 130g (camera body only)
Retailers
CamBuy
www.cambuy.com.au
Digital cameras, lenses and accessories with 100% genuine Australian manufacturer’s warranties.
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Camera House
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The largest speciality photographic retail chain in Australia.
Camera Pro
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CameraPro Pty Ltd
Suite 607, 180 Queen St, Brisbane 4000
Tel: 07 3333 2900
Australian owned and run company based in Brisbane.
Camerasdirect
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Retailer of digital camera equipment and more.
Secure online shopping and delivery across Australia.
Ph: 1300 727 056
Camerastore.com.au
Camerastore.com.au
Ph: 1800 155 067
Camera-Warehouse
www.camera-warehouse.com.au
Comprehensive range of digital cameras and accessories online (www.camera-warehouse.com.au) and an online print service (www.royalexpress.com.au).
Digital Camera Warehouse
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174 Canterbury Road 367 High Street
Canterbury Northcote
NSW 2193 VIC 3070
Ph: 1300 365 220
Electronics Warehouse
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1300 801 885
Australian retailer of Vapex rechargeable batteries offering factory direct prices and fast, free shipping Australia wide.
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Photographic Equipment & Supplies – Retail & Repairs. Click here for list of stores.
Ted’s Cameras
1800 186 895
Big range of cameras and photographic products with stores in most states and online.
Rating
RRP: $549
Rating (out of 10):
- Build: 8.5
- Ease of use: 8
- Image quality: 7.5
- OVERALL: 8