Canon IXUS 55 is 5 Mega pixel, 3X optical zoom (35mm-105mm, f/2.8-4.9) digital camera. Most compact sized digital camera are 3x optical zoom, which is enough for daily lifestyle shots. Because the IXUS is 5 mega pixels, the lack of zoom is compensated by the higher mega pixels for cropping and enlarge. At first sight of the Canon IXUS 55 you will notice that it is very solid looking due to the metal alloy exterior body.
The Canon IXUS range is one of the top selling small compact size digital cameras from Canon. It's main features are small, lightweight, compact, easy to use along side with solid photo quality. The IXUS 55 has a huge 2.5" LCD screen for ease of picture taking a playback of photos. Most importantly, it still retains a viewfinder. Most compact size, huge LCD screen digital cameras on the market does not have the viewfinder which most people still like to use during bright light conditions when the screen is hard to see. Or when you are low on battery and want to save battery.
The reason the IXUS 55 is so small and compact is due to the use of it's proprietary Lithium Ion batteries. It comes standard with one Lithium rechargeable battery and charger. One full charge will take approximately 90 minutes to recharge. This camera is suitable for those who want a camera that is small enough to put in a pocket or handbag. Sometimes good things comes in small packages.
The Canon IXUS 55 uses the DIGIC II processor which enables faster processing of pictures once they are taken, better quality of pictures and colour. We found the camera was very easy to use, fast start up time, buttons were easy to access even though the camera is very compact.
The IXUS 55 has a range of manual and pre selected modes:
What's in the Box:
Optional Accessories for the IXUS 55
Test Results:
Automatic mode Day shot testing (Outdoor):
Testing setting: Automatic mode, auto white balance, flash off, superfine quality and tripod is used.
Excellent outdoor photos are generated by automatic mode without flash.
(Photos have been down sized)
| Auto focus | 3X Zoom in |
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Automatic mode Day shot testing (Indoor):
Testing setting: Automatic mode, auto white balance, auto flash on superfine quality and tripod is not used.
I am happy with the photos generated by Canon IXUS 55 automatic mode with auto flash under low light situation. There are some noise generated in 3X Zoom-in situation just like most of compact size digital cameras.
(Photos have been down sized)
| auto flash | |
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| Low Light, auto flash | Low Light, auto flash, 3X Zoom in |
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Macro testing:
Testing setting: Macro mode, auto white balance, flash off, superfine quality and tripod is not used.
Canon IXUS55 has good macro quality 2-3cm close up to the subject.
(Photos have been down sized)
| approx. 2-3cm close up | |
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Night shot testing part 1:
Testing setting: preset Night shot mode, auto white balance, flash off, superfine quality and tripod is used.
By using Canon IXUS 55 preset night shot mode, it seems both of the pictures bellowing are not exposed enough. Therefore we can not see the buildings clearly. The results are not satisfied even with the build-in flash turned on. (Photos have been down sized)
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Auto focus |
3X Zoom in |
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Night shot testing part 2:
Testing setting: aperture priority mode, auto white balance, ISO 100, 200, 400, flash off, superfine quality and tripod is used.
By using the aperture priority mode, we can see the ISO100 with best night shot imaging. With ISO 200 setting, it generates some noise. Moreover, it creates too many noise when using the ISO 400 setting. We can easily see the good 3X optical zoom zooming quality from the photos shown bellowing. (Photos have been down sized)
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ISO 100 |
ISO 200 |
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| ISO 400 | ISO 100 3X zoom in |
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