UK Digital Cameras Blog

The Canon Ixus 860 IS has been described as a “rather professional” model with an impressive range of options.

According to a recent review for the Irish Independent, the camera is an eight-megapixel model equipped with enough features to impress the most ambitious of snappers.

Marie Boran states in the article that the wide angle lens is particularly welcome and has enough power to take the kind of wildlife shots “David Attenborough would approve of”.

“You can go into super-macro mode with the Ixus 860, so even though this Canon camera falls into the point-and-shoot category, it actually produces rather professional pictures for its price range,” the reviewer states.

The model has a host of features that Ms Boran suggests are within the abilities of most amateur users and the Canon Ixus 860 IS also features total anti-blur technology and DIGIC III.

Earlier this year, Trusted Reviews reported that the Canon IXUS 80 IS is the digital camera equivalent of Apple’s iPod.

A new digital camera with easy to use features has been launched by Canon, according to Information Week.

The EOS Rebel XS is being promoted as an entry-level camera with a single-lens reflex and includes optical image stabilising technology to give a clear picture.

It has 10.1 megapixels, an automatic light, wide-area auto-focus operation and a 2.5-inch screen.

Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president of Canon, said: “We see the Rebel XS as the bridge to help photographers cross over from the world of point-and-shoot cameras to digital SLR technology.”

At less than a pound in weight it is the lightest camera in Canon’s EOS digital series.

Set to be available from August, it is compatible with the manufacturer’s lineup of more than 60 EF and EF-S lenses and will be made in either a black or silver body.

Other models in Canon’s range include the Digital Ixus 90 IS and the Powershot A470 range, which is available in six colours.

Canon is to boost its international digital camera offerings with more digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) options and a new production plant.

The manufacturer has announced that the Canon EOS 1000D, which is also known in some regions as the Rebel XS, will be available in a range of packages to suit the needs of the buyer.

According to dpreview. com, the unit will come in a choice of black or silver and will be available with an EF-S 18-55mm IS lens, but will not go on sale as body only.

Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager for Canon USA, said that consumers have grown to embrace advanced camera technology and would continue to do so with the launch of the Canon EOS 1000D.

“We see the Rebel XS as the bridge to help photographers cross over from the world of point-and-shoot cameras to digital SLR technology,” he said.

In other news the manufacturer has announced it will build a new Japanese factory for creating digital cameras that is expected to produce around four million units per year.

Canon has added to its Ixus series of mobile phones with a model that will be purchased for its good looks but will deliver on performance, it has been noted.

Digital Camera magazine noted that the Canon Ixus 850 IS, a 7.1-megapixel model, is a true “victory for substance over style” and would be great option for those looking for design combined with functionality.

It adds that initially the Canon Ixus 850 IS will attract buyers because “it looks fantastic” but for those who invest in one “great images” can also be expected.

“The wide-angle lens is great and although the higher ISOs are noisy, the excellent colour performance makes up for this in normal use,” the review concludes.

The Canon Ixus 850 IS has a shutter speed of 1/6000 sec and comes with a 16MB SD storage card supplied. The available exposure modes include Portrait, Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Indoor, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks and Aquarium.

Canon’s Ixus 90 IS Silver is the 10-megapixel sibling of the 850 IS.

Canon believes its latest entry-level digital SLR model is capable of becoming the weapon of choice for those looking for more than a compact can offer.

The Canon EOS 1000D digital SLR is designed to be “affordable and feature-packed”, the manufacturer claims, with a 10.1-megapixel CMOS censor, DiG!C III image processor boasting 12-bit colour and a Live View mode.

In addition to this the new model can claim 3.0 fps allowing up to 514 shots to be taken in one continuous burst when in jpeg format and also includes Canon’s EOS integrated cleaning system.

Chris Macleod, product manager for digital SLR models at Canon Australia, said the new model offers a good level of performance coupled with all the fun and features of a digital SLR - but is easy to use.

“It includes essential functions for users looking to take their photography to the next level and is an easy step up for compact digital camera users looking to upgrade,” he added.

For those looking for a compact Canon that offers a similar specification the 12.1-megapixel Canon Ixus 960 may be of interest.

The Canon PowerShot G9 digital camera has been reviewed by Pocket Lint and awarded eight points out of a possible ten.

With the G series described by the website as “Canon’s premium enthusiast-level compacts”, the G9 is apparently well-built with an “excellent” three-inch colour screen.

However, rather than being a totally new model, the G9 improves on its predecessors with upgraded features - meaning it could be one for those who do not already have a camera instead of consumers looking for the next big thing.

Pocket Lint noted the G9’s larger sensor and 12.1 megapixels, which is two megapixels more than the G7.

It also has a rubber grip for easier usage and a 6x optical zoom lens, 25 shooting modes and custom settings.

“In terms of control, features and build, the G9 is a cracker,” the reviewer concluded.

Other cameras in the PowerShot range include the A470 Red and the A590 IS Black.

A new digital camera is on the way from Canon that one newspaper has described as a “must have”.

According to the Telegraph, the Canon EOS 1000D is “a camera to be reckoned with” and delivers on the brands already strong reputation for innovation and high build quality.

The newspaper adds that Readers Digest recently awarded Canon the title of the world’s most trusted camera brand and states that this 10.1-megapixel model is likely to live up to this statement.

“It’s not expected to be on sale until the end of next month, but early models have been demonstrated to the press [and] it looks like this model may well be one that’s worth waiting for,” the article states.

Pocket-lint reports that the digital SLR camera replaces the 35mm film version of its namesake and will be available for between £499.99 and £579.99, with the top-level model coming equipped with the 18-55mm IS lens kit.

The Canon PowerShot A590IS has been described as a top entry-level camera showing off many of the features available on more expensive models.

With eight megapixels, a 4x optical zoom and optical image stabilisation to combat camera shake, the camera also has a 2.5-inch LCD screen to give “maximum detail without being obtrusive”, Techtree.com said.

“The Canon Powershot A590IS is an entry level camera that seems to be aimed at those who want to enjoy the unadulterated joy of a point-and-shoot experience with the camera,” the site conlcluded.

“What you get is a simple and easy to use camera that shoots pictures better than most others in the same price range or category.”

The Canon PowerShot A590IS was described as a great buy - especially for those new to digital cameras.

Another feature on the device is the Canon Genuine Face Detection Technology that can automatically detect, track, focus and optimise the exposure on up to nine human faces in the frame, Steve Digicams reports.

One of the most notable features on the Canon Ixus 860 IS is its “rather professional” range of macro options, according to a new review.

In an article for the Irish Independent this week, Marie Boran states that the eight-megapixel model comes with a wide angle lens that has enough power to take nature shots that “David Attenborough would approve of”.

However, Ms Boran pays particular attention to the macro options that come with the
Canon Ixus 860 IS, stating that they can be particularly useful for 1:1 ratio shots.

“You can go into super-macro mode with the Ixus 860, so even though this Canon camera falls into the point-and-shoot category, it actually produces rather professional pictures for its price range,” the reviewer states.

She adds that a range of hidden features and the “idiot-proof” nature of the camera mean that “even the most amateur photographer” will have fun with the unit.

In addition, the Canon Ixus 860 IS comes equipped with total anti-blur solution and DIGIC III for lightning fast response.

The Canon IXUS 80 IS offers style and performance in a lightweight and pocketable package, according to a review.

According to Trusted Reviews, Canon has launched a large number of the IXUS range and the models have become “almost as synonymous with digital compact cameras as the Apple iPod has with mp3 players”.

However, the site notes that the Canon IXUS 80 IS goes one further in terms of style by offering four different colours - Classic Silver, Caramel, Chocolate and Candy Pink.

It is suggested that this move by Canon could be intended to target the female and fashion-conscious buyer.

“This is a camera designed to appeal more to the fashion conscious than the connoisseur and as such it serves its purpose. It’s well made and very attractive,” the site concludes.

The eight-megapixel Canon IXUS 80 IS offers 3x optical zoom with optical Image Stabilizer as well as motion detection technology and an enhanced face detection system.