Canon Digital Ixus V [2.1MP 2xOptical]

The Ixus V is simple to use, making an ideal replacement for a traditional "point and shoot" camera. There is an optical viewfinder and a small LCD on the back, which doubles as a digital viewfinder and display for the menu system. One criticism of the control system is that a ring wheel, which encircles the shutter button, controls the zoom, while a switch on the back controls the mode the camera is in. This is the reverse of the Ixus 300 (the Ixus V's big brother) and is less easy to control. The internal flash is small--effective from 0.27 to 3 metres, dependent on mode setting. There are a variety of flash settings, covering Auto, manual, red eye reduction and slow sync for long exposures.

For those who want to take more control of their photos, the Ixus V has a variety of settings available. There are three modes for image resolution, ranging from VGA (640x480) to the maximum resolution of 1600x1200. There are also three compression modes, which give you a range of between approximately eight and 100 pics on the supplied 8 MB card. At the highest settings the images are excellent. You can also control exposure and white balance, but metering is fixed, using a system called "evaluative metering", which is linked to the focusing point. This said, it is a very effective system, which works well for all but specialist shots of challenging scenes. The Ixus V also contains a film mode for taking short video clips at up to 640x480 resolution. The Ixus V hooks up to your PC via USB. The software supplied is all proprietary Canon software, which is competent, if not inspiring. Also supplied is a hand strap, battery charger, USB and composite video cables, but no separate case.

The Ixus V is a superb addition to Canon's impressive digital camera line-up. However, the additional zoom available on the Ixus 300, along with superior control layout, could make this a better choice if you can afford the additional expense.--Jason Weston

Product Description
The ultra-compact Canon Digital IXUS V digital camera screams style and sophistication, while still delivering powerful technology. Look closer and you will see that the real difference is inside the slick brushed-steel case--the Digital IXUS V is advanced in making photos, videos and prints. Canon's advanced technology ensures the Digital IXUS V performs as well as it looks. A 2x optical zoom lens (35 - 70mm, 35 mm equivalent) and 2.11 million pixel CCD deliver amazingly sharp photos every time. A seamless digital zoom allows you complete freedom when composing a shot, while a powerful built-in flash fires automatically, when required. Even in low light conditons the Digital IXUS V 's AiAF (Artificial Intelligent Auto Focus) and, AIM (Advanced Integrated Multi-point Metering) will ensure beautiful reproductions with a single click of the shutter button. In addition to still image mode, the versatile new Canon Digital IXUS V offers a movie mode capable of capturing high resolution VGA movies, and with up to 30-seconds of full motion-picture movie clips complete with sound, you need never miss the whole story.

Technically, the Canon Digital IXUS V is one of the most advanced digital cameras in its class. A new adaptive digital signal processor and RGB CCD filter, delivers faithful and vibrant colour reproduction, while noise reduction is used for shutter speeds longer than 1/6th second, ensuring clear and detailed images. With additional power-saving designs the Digital IXUS V's Li-ion batteries last longer than ever before. The Digital IXUS V is fitted with a Type-I Compact Flash card slot enabling up to 192 MB of photos with separately available Compact Flash cards. The camera comes supplied with an 8 MB card. Canon supplies a full range of drivers with the Digital IXUS V offering compatibility with Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows ME and Macintosh. A complete package of photo and video manipulation and printing software is also supplied.

The familiar tiny proportions, luxurious stainless steel body and engineering excellence of the amazing new Canon Digital IXUS V will not come as a surprise, to owners and fans of the original Digital IXUS.

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