Small and handsome, with a great zoom and HD video, is this the best Canon compact for beginners?
(Image credit: Canon)
Today's smartphones might be packed with technology that was once only present in enthusiast-level cameras, but they have their limitations too. That's where cameras like the Elph 180 (aka the IXUS 185) come in, being affordable and easy-to-use, and capable of offering something a little different to help you to get the shots you want.
Here, we round up the best deals on the Canon IXUS 185 / Elph 180 and give you a little more information on what makes it shine.
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(Image credit: Canon)
(Image credit: Canon)
Canon IXUS 185 key specs
Everything we expect an IXUS camera to be, with an agreeable price tag to boot
Type: Compact | Sensor: 1/2.3in | Megapixels: 20MP | Lens: 28-224mm f/3.2-6.9 | LCD: 2.7in, 230k dots | Maximum continuous shooting speed: 3fps | Max video resolution: 1280x720 (HD) | Colors available: Silver, Black, Red, | User level: Beginner
Tiny body
Excellent price
Video limited to 720p
No viewfinder
What makes the IXUS 185 special? Its 8x optical zoom lens is arguably its main draw, as this allows you to home in on more distant subjects without the same loss of quality that you'd experience with many smartphones. And with a 35mm-equivalent wide-angle start of 28mm and a telephoto finish of 224mm, it effortlessly adapts itself to a multitude of scenes and subjects.
Aside from its optical prowess, the camera packs a 20MP sensor – more than enough for enlargements – that's also capable of HD video capture, and it's designed with more physical controls than the average smartphone provides, logically placed in areas where fingers naturally fall. These include a zoom collar around the lens that lets you frame up your masterpieces with precision.
On top of this, the camera has been furnished with a range of technologies that help you get better images without you having to decide on all key settings. These are headed by an Easy and Smart Auto mode, the latter capable of detecting up to 32 different scenes and adjusting itself accordingly, while Face Detection is also on hand to help capture people with clarity and best focus.
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For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. Originally specializing in Equestrianism, his visuals have been used by the leading names in the equestrian industry such as The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), The Jockey Club, Horse & Hound, and many more for various advertising campaigns, books, and pre/post-event highlights.
He is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, holds a Foundation Degree in Equitation Science, and is a Master of Arts in Publishing. He is a member of Nikon NPS and has been a Nikon user since the film days using a Nikon F5 and saw the digital transition with Nikon's D series cameras and is still to this day the youngest member to be elected into BEWA, The British Equestrian Writers' Association.
He is familiar with and shows great interest in street, medium, and large format photography with products by Leica, Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa, and Sinar. Sebastian has also used many cinema cameras from the likes of Sony, RED, ARRI, and everything in between. He now spends his spare time using his trusted Leica M-E or Leica M2 shooting Street photography or general life as he sees it, usually in Black and White.
