Canon IXUS 95is Digital Camera Review

Canon IXUS 95is Digital Camera Review

By guest contributor Thomas Lacey

After reviewing the Canon A480 I had really high hopes for the Canon IXUS 95is still camera, and after reviewing this beastie little unit I was not left disappointed. Its ease of use and high functionality made taking every photo a joy. This camera is a powerhouse amongst compact cameras but is still cost effective and fantastically easy.

First Impression.

Lets talk looks! This camera comes from a long line of very popular and very attractive cameras. The IXUS 95is really hasn’t changed all that much from the IXUS 85is but has added a couple of interesting colours and nice curves to the collection. I tested the grey-blue model and really liked it. It was different to all the black and silver models on the market but not as far out as some of the bright, pastel, or fluro colours we are seeing now. This camera comes in a selection of colours; pink to green and grey to blue. All colours can be seen in the picture above.

The front of the camera is true to the traditional IXUS format. The first thing I noticed about the IXUS 95is was the addition of the plastic front panel. The past models have all had metal front panels. I don’t think this is a disadvantage, the camera has lost a lot of chunk and weight, now tipping the scales at only 120grams. From this we then focus on the chrome lens that is topped off by the viewfinder and flash. The shining silver “Canon” logo sits vertically to the side. There is absolutely no doubting this cameras origin as a Canon IXUS as not a whole lot has changed from past models, but then again, why should it?

The back of the camera features the same-old set of Canon controls. We have the directional pad that doubles up as quick keys for the most used controls such as the function button, macro – landscape, flash and the self timer. Towards the top of the camera we notice a slider bar that changes the camera from auto to program to video and the review button sitting high and mighty next to the slider.

The screen is not large at only 2.5” and many will see this as a drawback. I see the smaller screen size as an advantage as it has given Canon space to include a much-needed viewfinder, something necessary when photographing the rugby with that irritating sun glare shining on the screen.

Features.

The camera boasts many usable features for the amateur and enthusiast photographer. It has the ability to be a great throw-in-your-bag type camera but is still able to take photos that could make an SLR user green with envy. The sensor is a 10mega pixel CCD sensor that allows the user to print their photos up to an A3 size. The large sensor also allows the user to showcase their holiday snaps on their large family television without losing definition and clarity.

The lens is great but not much has changed from the previous models. With 3x optical zoom and an aperture range starting at F2.8 this camera is able to take brilliant photos with ease. Auto focus and image stabilization are also included in the lens, but that is to be expected with a Canon IXUS.

The IXUS 95is’ most notable change is the addition of the DiGIC IV processor to the camera, something that the IXUS 85is missed out on. The DiGIC IV processor produces better images faster according to the Canon paraphernalia; I found this to be very true when comparing the IXUS 95is camera to its competitors.

Canon cameras are traditionally feature packed for their price and the 95is is no exception to this. It has all sorts of modes and functions to make every picture perfect. We have a series of pre-programmed semi-automatic modes for specific shots, ISO adjustment, white balance controls, colour controls, light metering control and resolution change. The “My Colours” feature is great but why Canon decided to not include colour swap and colour accent I do not know. It is such a likable little feature, and yes, Photoshop will usually do a better job, but it makes the camera just that little bit more fun.

Intelligent Auto ensures shooting with the IXUS 95is is incredibly easy and is a fairly self-explanatory feature. While the intelligent auto is good it still has the same problems as the Panasonic iA settings. Occasionally the colours will blow out and the images over or under expose, but for the 9 out of 10 shots that come out great it is still a worthy feature. In saying that, at $399 the intelligent auto is an exciting and unexpected addition to the camera and definitely outperforms most of the competition.

Using The Camera

I first used the Canon IXUS 95 when doing a demo on the model. The camera performed so well in a very limited amount of time that I decided to explore it a little more. To say I was impressed is a massive understatement. Lets put it this way; I am now the proud owner of an IXUS 95is in the tested colour.

The camera delivers vibrant colours and sharp edges. Sometimes the edges appear too sharp but a quick fiddle with the settings will change that. In respect to the colour saturation, the IXUS 95is held its own against larger and more expensive cameras and excelled at reproducing rich greens and deep blues.

The DiGIC IV processor was quick and consistent, performing burst shots at about 1 frame per second. The processor was wonderfully effective at reducing noise, which is one thing I really hate creeping into my photos. At zoom, with ISO1600 it was noticeable, but not enough to concern this particularly fussy photographer.

Video mode was impressive but not as good as the IXUS 100is’ high definition mode. The IXUS 95is performed well delivering 30 frames per second at 640×480 resolution. Not quite DVD quality, but getting close.

The camera seemed to love taking portraits and photos of family and friends. Movement shots blurred a little at the tail end of the moving object but the overall performance was good. In door shots often over exposed in the foreground but a quick tweak of the controls fixed that. Blame the user on this occasion not the camera.

Conclusion

The Canon IXUS 95is is a very powerful little camera. Built like a cat with the power of a tiger this camera is sure to impress every user. The features are full and there is not a lot about the camera I would change. The addition of colour swap and colour accent would have been nice, high definition video would have been nicer but at $399 I will certainly recommend this camera to anyone looking for a digital still in the sub $400 mark. After all, I liked it so much I now own it.

Thomas Lacey is the senior sales consultant at Eastmon Dubbo store.

Related posts:

1. Canon SX200IS Digital Camera Review
2. Canon Powershot A480 Digital Camera Review
3. Pentax Optio M60 Digital Camera Review
4. Olympus MJU 9000 Digital Compact Camera Review
5. Panasonic Lumix TZ-6 Digital Camera Review