Pixiq

Canon have another three compacts on the horizon and we’re here to tell you all about them. They all come with a variety of features, are equally hideous looking (but in a variety of ways) and all have confusing naming conventions that make me think of those inscrutible error messages that pop up when your PC gets the blue screen of death. So, with my usual cheeky, irreverant comments out of the way, let’s start with the IXUS 115 HS / ELPH 100 HS (please reboot your PC).

Canon IXUS 115 HS / ELPH 100 HS

The 115 HS is at the budget end of the three compacts we’re looking at today. As with almost every camera being released at the moment, the 115 HS comes with the ability to shoot 1080p full HD movies. As an interesting addition to what is quickly becoming a standard requirement for new cameras, there is also a ‘super slow motion’ mode, where movies can be played 8 times slower than real time.

Other key features include the HS system, as detailed in the camera’s name. Canon says that the HS system allows for good quality images in low light conditions, without the need of a flash, presumably from better performance at high ISOs.

Continuing the relentless feature assault, there is an auto scene mode, which detects 32 different scenes automatically and adjusts accordingly. Creative shooting modes allow you to apply effects in-camera to images, allowing for toy camera effects and the like. You can even buy a diving case for it, which will let you go down to 40m underwater, presumably for when you want to take an underwater photo of an octopus and then immediately apply a ‘poster style’ effect to it, whilst still underwater. There’s something about that that deeply troubles me.

I’m starting to suffer from feature fatigue now but I’ve saved what I consider the most unusual features for last. The ‘movie digest’ mode (ridiculous name) ‘records the fun before each shot to create a bonus movie.’ As far as I can tell, this must mean that, once the shutter is pressed, you get a few seconds of video while the camera focuses and fires the pre-flash. Finally, the ‘smart shutter’ feature is for self portraits and group photos – the shutter is apparently triggered by a smile, a wink or the appearance of an additional face in the scene.

The 115 HS will be available in early February, priced at £179.00 RRP incl. VAT.

Canon IXUS 220 HS / Powershot ELPH 300 HS

Sitting in the middle is the 220 HS, which incorporates a wider angle lens than the 115 HS (24mm as opposed to 28mm) and a 5X optical zoom, compared to the 115 HS’ 4X optical zoom.

The 300 HS shares many features of the 115, including 1080p HD video and adds a little more. There is more of a feel of this compact being aimed at those who are becoming more interested in photography and who care more about the resulting image quality but are not ready to splash out on more expensive equipment. This is evidenced by the press release for the 220 HS mentioning a hints and tips system – guidelines on how to use the camera that pop up as the user takes photos.

As a slightly more advanced version of the 115 HS, the 300 HS is priced at £199.00 RRP incl. VAT, and is available mid February.

Canon IXUS 310 HS / PowerShot ELPH 500 HS

The 310 HS is at the high end of the three compacts offering everything the previous two offer in the way of features but with greater specs. In order to distinguish itself from the cheaper models in the range, the 310 HS has an f/2.0, 24mm lens and a touch screen LCD. This touch screen allows for additional features, such as setting the focus area by touching the desired spot on the LCD and smartphone-esque gestures allowing the user to flick through images, access menus and generally look super cool and futuristic in front of their friends.

The 310 HS will be available from early March and is priced at £299.00 RRP incl. VAT.

As ever, Canon can furnish you with all the details if one of these is just the camera you’re looking for.