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March 16, 2007
[ REVIEW — CANON IXUS 70 ]
CANON IXUS 70 camera
Price: $450
Highly recommended
The low-down: This is a 7 megapixel compact camera with a 3x zoom lens (35–105mm film equivalent). The camera face area is slightly smaller than a credit card and it is 18mm thick -- a true pocket camera.
Construction is solid and the appearance is slightly retro. In other words it looks like a camera.
There is an eye-level optical viewfinder which is small but useful. Canon are to be applauded for fitting an optical finder to a camera in this price range. The 6.3cm LCD screen is bright and has good resolution and colour rendering.
The Function key brings up a restricted set of manual over-rides which we found took care of most situations when the M (manual) setting is chosen. Even though the camera is tiny the control buttons are generally big enough and the ergonomics are good.
Focus, colour and resolution are all good. Auto white balance is quite impressive.
Like this: The face detection technology is amazing. We have been sceptical about this in the past and regarded it as a gimmick but now we had better eat our words. The camera detects a face or faces in the frame, draws a square around them on the LCD, and adjusts focus and exposure for that area. What’s more if the camera or subject moves the camera tracks with the face as it moves in the frame.
Dislike that: We might quibble about the size of the camera. It could be a little larger and therefore easier to hold without sacrificing pocketability.
Parting shot: This is a sensible camera and praise doesn’t come any higher. It has a sensible number of pixels, optical viewfinder and degree of manual control. It will never be mistaken for a flash fashion accessory -- it is a camera. It is certainly a sensible price for a camera which produces such high quality images. It is simple enough to be used by a child (we tried) and yet sophisticated enough for serious photography. Highly recommended.
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Posted by terry at March 16, 2007 05:13 AM
Worth Checking Out
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Comments
How would you compare the Elph SD1000 with the SD700? The 700 has lens stabalization and 4x lens at 6MG. the 100 is 3X at 7.1MG with no image stabalization.
Posted by: Nicholas at April 12, 2007 07:24 PM
Nicholas: I prefer the SD 700. The images are cleaner and the lens stabilisation works well.
TL
Posted by: Terry at April 14, 2007 04:40 AM
I think this camera is the best i have ever seen. It is small yet so many features. i am so getting one.
Posted by: John at June 17, 2007 01:19 AM
Hi Terry,
Do you recall if this camera had any noticeable shutter lag? A friend is considering buying this model and she will be mostly photographing her family and kids.
Thank you for a wonderful year of views, reviews and humour. I am a few steps closer to purchasing a super-duper pigment printer and a nice wide angle zoom lens.
TM.
Posted by: Tony M at December 16, 2007 08:40 AM
Tony: This camera has no perceptible shutter lag, always provided that it is used in the conventional way of half depressing the shutter release to fix the focus and exposure and then pressing all the way. It sounds clunkier than it is in practise. I consider the Ixus cameras to all be very responsive.
I'm not sure if this is still a current model. You can check at www.canon.com.au and follow the links to compact cameras.
TL
Posted by: Terry at December 16, 2007 09:52 PM
Tony: I see that the Ixus 70 is still listed in the Canon catalogue, so your friend should be able to buy with confidence. Teryy
Posted by: Terry at December 16, 2007 10:17 PM