Canon Digital IXUS 800 IS camera review

The delightfully compact Digital IXUS 800 IS combines IXUS style with advanced photographic features. Experience sharper flash-free shooting with ISO 800 and a 4x optical Image Stabilizer zoom lens, rechargeable Canon NB-5L battery.

• 6.0 MP CCD
  
• 4x optical zoom with optical IS
  
• ISO 800
  
• Elegant design
  
• DIGIC II and iSAPS
  
• 2.5" LCD
  
• 16 shooting modes and My Colors
  
• Widescreen recording and 30fps VGA movies
  
• PictBridge and Print/Share button
  
• Software and CANON iMAGE GATEWAY*


• Accessories : Extend shooting possibilities with a range of optional accessories, including a Waterproof Case (40m) WP-DC5 and High Power Flash HF-DC1 NB-5L battery.

The Canon Digital IXUS 800 IS is a 6 megapixel digital camera with a 2.5 inch LCD screen, li-ion NB-5L battery and optical viewfinder. For the first time ever on a Canon compact, the IXUS 800 features image stabilizer technology to help combat camera-shake. Canon have also extended the optical zoom lens to 4x, giving an effective focal length of 35-140mm. Under the surface, the Canon Digital Ixus 800 IS uses the same advanced DIGIC II processor as the company's digital SLR cameras for fast performance and image processing. There are 14 different scene modes on offer for beginners and a more advanced Manual mode for those who desire greater control. VGA movies at 30fps, a My Colors mode that allows special in-camera colour effects, and PictBridge and USB 2 support complete the specification. So does the Digital IXUS 800 IS carry on the good name of previous IXUS compacts? Read our latest review to find out.

As a rule with Canon digital cameras you know roughly what you are going to get before you turn them on. The IXUS 800 IS is no exception. This camera is capable of producing sharp images and strong colours. For me that is the ideal combination when you are looking to buy any camera. Also camcorder battery can be used in camera.

The Canon Digital Ixus 800 IS has a normal shooting mode, Self-timer (2 secs. 10 secs. or Custom) and a Continuous mode, which allows you take up to 2.1 frames/sec until the memory card is full. There are a number of different My Colors photo effects on offer (My Colors Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Positive Film, Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, Vivid Red, Custom Color). The Macro setting allows you to focus on subjects that are as close as 2cms. The camera offers 2 auto-focusing systems - 9-point AiAF and 1-point AF (Fixed centre). The built-in flash offers 5 different modes (Auto, On, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Slow Synchro and Off). The flash range is 50cm-3.5m (W) / 2.0m (T). An AF assist beam and Flash Exposure Lock are also available. Noise reduction is automatically applied to exposures greater than 1.3 seconds. The powerful NB-5L battery can last for about three ours with continuous working

The Canon Digital Ixus 800 IS's dimensions are 90.4 (W) x 56.5 (D) x 26.4 (H) mm, and it weighs 165g without the battery and storage card fitted. The camera is powered by a rechargeable Li-ion Battery which allows you to take up to 240 shots before needing to be recharged. There is a metal tripod mount in the center of the bottom of the camera.

In my view Canon digital cameras are some of the more complicated to use. I have reviewed so many now that I know where to find everything, but if you are new to them it may take you a short while to fully get to grips with the camera and better charger NB-5l battery

The Canon Digital IXUS (NB-5L) series of digital cameras has been successful for many years. At this time, the new Canon Digital IXUS 800 IS leads the series, and will undoubtedly enjoy a warm welcome from the IXUS enthusiasts. We had the opportunity to test the Canon IXUS 800 IS during a long period of time. Whether or not Canon set a new benchmark for their compact camera line can be read in the following Canon Digital IXUS 800 IS digital camera review.