Canon Digital Ixus II

The Digital Ixus II shares many of the features of its predecessor, the Ixus V3, with a 3.2megapixel CCD sensor, a 35-70mm rated lens (35mm equivalent) and a 2x optical/3.2x digital zoom.

But all this is packed into Canon's smallest ever chassis, fitting neatly into the palm of your hand.

On the top of the unit a power button sits next to the zoom control dial, at the centre of which is the shutter button. The back panel houses a clear 1.5in LCD screen and a mode dial that lets you switch between auto or manual shooting, movie capture and review modes.

A navigation button under the integrated speaker helps you through the on-screen menus (OSMs) and gives quick access to light metering, flash and self-timer settings, as well as macro mode.

Using macro mode for close-up shots you can snap your subject from 10cm with the zoom set to wide-angle or 27cm set to telephoto.

The menu button calls up an OSM with camera settings, tools and themes, while the function button lets you select resolution and image compression levels in auto shooting mode, and adjust white balance, ISO and exposure settings in manual mode.

There are three compression levels and four image resolution options, from 2,048 x 1,536 to 640 x 480 pixels, with a maximum resolution of 640 x 480 pixels in movie capture mode.

For such a small camera, the Ixus II produced some excellent quality shots. Areas of tonal transition were smoothly reproduced and outlines were crisp and even between similar tones.

Using the auto settings, colours were well rendered in a variety of lighting conditions, and in macro mode it captured detail and texture very well, right into the corners of the image.

At £370, it's not the cheapest 3.2megapixel camera, but for its quality output and pocket-size dimensions it's well worth it.

Contact: Canon 0870 514 3723
www.canon.co.uk

Specifications:

• 3.2megapixels
• 2x optical/3.2x digital zoom
• 35-70mm focal length (35mm equivalent)
• Auto, on, off, slow-sync
• Red-eye reduction
• 1.5in LCD screen
• 16MB Secure Digital memory card
• 165g - 85 x 24 x 56mm (w x d x h)
• USB, A/V-out
• 1yr warranty