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September 29, 2009

Canon IXUS 980 IS review

Product Code: 3192B006

The Canon IXUS 980 IS is a 14.7Mp compact camera.

Canon has been making Digital IXUS models since 2000, a widely imitated range of sleek and simple to use take-anywhere cameras. Today there are eight models available in the UK, starting at around £150 for the IXUS 95 IS, with two similar models staking out the ground as flagship models.

The IXUS 990 IS, at around £350, is a 12.1Mp model with video capture up to 1280x720, while the 980 IS reviewed here offers higher resolution 14.7Mp stills but video only to 640x480.

Unlike most such compacts, the Canon IXUS 980 IS includes an optical viewfinder, useful for taking shots in bright sunlight and allowing you to switch off the 2.5in LCD screen in order to conserve power. Battery life from the lithium-ion battery was long, able to take several hundred shots between charges.

And while many compacts major on straightforward point-and-shoot operation, taking the stress out of photography by capturing good pictures without twiddling dials, the Canon IXUS 980 IS also offers a modicum of manual override. This means more creative shots can be tried; by stopping down to F2.8, for instance, you can experiment with foreshortened depth of field to get just your subject in focus.

Earlier IXUS models had a rectangular slab look. The Canon IXUS 980 IS takes on a more rounded form, gentle curves softening the lines. Interesting to behold by the eye and hold by the hand, it does mean it's more likely to roll over when placed upright on a table.

Photography tips and camera reviews

Startup time is excellent, with the Canon IXUS 980 IS ready to shoot in under 2 seconds from cold.

The massive pixel count means you can really zoom into pictures, although at 1:1 resolution you'll see the effects of Digic 4 processing. While noise is low, even at comparatively high ISO settings of 800 or so, there is a kind of oil-painting effect to photographs. That's not to say the Canon IXUS 980 IS can't take great photos, of course, but just be aware that despite the 14.7 million pixels, this is no digital SLR.

The Canon IXUS 980 IS got into trouble in some high contrast setting, such as a bright window in a darker room, over- and under-exposing the same picture. In terms of colour vibrancy most images were on the more subdued side of neutral.

Video clips were handled well, with exposure compensated live to suit the scene, and mono sound was very clear thanks to the 16-bit/44.1kHz uncompressed PCM audio, although wind noise outdoors was conspicuous.

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Independent customer reviews from

Canon IXUS 980 IS scored:
9.1 out of 10 100% real reviews

The 2 most helpful reviews based on 33 reviews:

08 Dec 2008 Tony, Walton on Thames

9

Good Points

Excellent image quality. Excellent build quality. Compact and comfortable to hold. Controls are intuitive and considering the range of features are the best I have experienced. Face recognition is effective and very useful

Bad Points

Slow response at lower ambient light levels, has caused me to miss shots. A custom leather case would be a much better option than the cloth fabric case offered.

12 Jan 2009 Anonymous verified purchaser

9

Good Points

Small, light and pocket size. Good quality photos can be achieved. It is great as a point and shoot but also has manual settings for more advanced use.

Bad Points

The manual is on a CD but it would be better to have a manual in paper form included to check operation points while out and about.

See more Canon IXUS 980 IS reviews on Reevoo.com

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Total reviews: 4,313

See product specs

expert rating

Build quality

4/5

Features

4/5

Value for money

3/5

Overall

3.5/5

expert rating

Canon IXUS 980 IS

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