Canon IXUS 400 Digital Camera [4MP 3xOptical]

The four-megapixel Canon Ixus 400 digital camera is capable of taking still images at 2,272 x 1,704 pixels--enough for a good quality A4 print. Resolutions go down to 640 x 480 for images you might only want to look at digitally. You can also capture video at 320 x 240 and 160 x 120 pixels.

The camera is very small indeed--smaller than earlier IXUS models--and is easily pocket sized. There is what at first might seem a bewildering array of buttons around the casing, but in fact these provide excellent one-button-press access to most of the most used features, such as the 3x optical zoom which goes up to 11x when combined with digital zoom features, the macro mode, settings for the flash and self timer. For more advanced features such as changing the shutter speed, which is great to be able to do on a digital camera, you do need to delve into the LED a little further.

Images are stored on Compact Flash card--the largest image can be a couple of megabytes in size so you'll need to think big when it comes to CF card size with this camera. The battery is removable, and a spare to carry in the pocket might be a good idea.

Canon supplies a range of desktop software for viewing, editing and making use of your digital images. As with previous IXUS cameras, one of the tools works with the Stitch Assist mode on the camera itself in the production of panorama shots. --Sandra Vogel

The IXUS 400 incorporates a high resolution CCD sensor with four effective megapixels. This sensor allows the camera to capture still images as large as 2,272 x 1,704 pixels and movies as large as 320 x 240 pixels. It also features a highly compact and sharp 3x optical zoom lens with a focal length of 36-108 mm (35 mm equivalent). The lens features a maximum aperture of f2.8 (wide angle) to f4.9 (telephoto). This is complemented by a smooth digital zoom that totals 11x when combined with the optical zoom.

The IXUS 400 has several shooting modes that can be selected from a mode dial on the camera. Modes include Auto, Manual (Program), Stitch Assist and Movie (with sound). The latter means that the Digital IXUS 400 is more than just a still camera; it is also capable of recording voice-tags of up to 60 seconds to accompany each image and can even capture movie clips of up to three minutes, complete with sound. Typical of the level of technology that is a hallmark of Canon cameras, the Digital IXUS 400 features an amazing nine-point AiAF (Artificial intelligence Auto Focus) system that can automatically detect a subject even if it's not in the centre of the frame. Digital IXUS 400 users will also benefit from shutter speeds of 15-1/2000sec and a maximum continuous shooting speed of 2.5 frames per second in still photo mode. Incorporated technology includes a new DIGIUC processor for improved colour reproduction and iSAPS ("intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space"). This relates to image rendition for the creation of a natural looking scene or colours as seen by the photographer. The IXUS 400 supports PTP, a standard protocol. This allows driver-less image communications with computers when combined with recent operating systems (Windows XP or Mac OS). A computer using this system will automatically select the correct drivers for the camera without needing to install them. On older operating systems a driver is still required to be installed.

The Canon IXUS 400 is a superb combination of style, quality and photographic technology that make it an excellent choice for those looking for a high performance compact digital camera.