Reviews

An affordable, easy-to-use digicam that offers good performance and useful functions for family snapshooters.Canon’s PowerShot A580 is the middle model in a trio of similar digicams that are targeted at family snapshooters. Affordably priced, their RRPs go up in $50 steps, corresponding with increasing resolution, zoom range and associated functions. All three models have 2.5-inch LCDs and are powered by two AA batteries. The two top models have 8-megapixel resolution and 4x optical zoom lenses, while the A470 combines 7.1 megapixels with 3.4x optical zoom. The top-end A590IS model is the only one with image stabilisation.

Plenty of useful shooting controls at an affordable price point for family photographers and photo hobbyists.Canon’s PowerShot A570 IS is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to learn more about shooting controls. At just under $450 (RRP), it represents pretty good value for family photographers and offers a lot more control than most similarly-priced point-and-shoot competitors. Sporting a 7.1-megapixel CCD imager and 4x optical zoom lens plus a 2.5-inch LCD the A570 IS also comes with optical image stabilisation, a comprehensive range of shooting modes and Canon’s latest DiG!C III image processor.

An affordable compact digicam with above-average performance and an Easy shooting mode for novice users.The A2000IS slots into the middle of Canon’s PowerShot range where it replaces the PowerShot A720 IS, which has been on the market for about a year. The new model has the same lens but provides higher resolution (10 megapixels, compared to 8) and a larger LCD monitor with higher resolution. It also sports a slimmer, more streamlined body that is 15 grams lighter but retains the DIGIC III image processor of the previous model.

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.

Effective image stabilisation makes the 4x optical zoom lens usable in indoor lighting.The first Ixus camera with image stabilisation (IS), Canon’s new Ixus 800IS is styled like the Ixus 750 with rounded corners to its sleek metal body. However, it has a smaller 6-megapixel sensor and longer 4x optical zoom lens. The IS system uses vibration sensors to detect and correct slight camera shake by shifting a lens element. Couple this with ISO settings up to 800 and you can shoot at approximately three EV steps lower than with a non-stabilised lens.

Canon’s Digital Ixus 750 l has the same 7-megapixel CCD sensor, smart metal body and 3x optical zoom lens as the Ixus 700 it replaces, but is $50 cheaper. A large 2.5-inch LCD is now provided, with ‘UI display improvements’, the most useful being selectable grid lines, which make it easier to ‘square-up’ subjects (especially horizons) when composing shots and warnings that indicate the potential for camera shake (a flashing red icon and the shutter speed are displayed on-screen).

Canon’s 4-megapixel Digital Ixus 40 has a compact stainless steel body that is less than 20mm thick and a retracting 3x zoom lens. This ‘UA’ lens includes an ultra-high refractive index glass moulded aspherical lens element that reduces overall length and minimises optical aberrations. The mode dial is replaced by a slider that switches from playback, to movie, to still capture, and is much less likely to be dislodged.