Hands-on: Canon IVY REC review

Is this Canon's weirdest camera ever? We get our hands on Canon's clip camera – the all-weather Ivy Rec

Canon IVY REC review
(Image: © Digital Camera World)

Early Verdict

We had a good change to play around with the Canon Ivy Rec, but such as been the success of the first orders for this device, that we only got a pre-production sample to use – so as yet we have not had a chance to try out the image quality, nor the usability of the app. However, this feels like a device that (like instant cameras before) that will appeal to a young audience that want something to take pictures that they can take anywhere - but do not want to be fussed with excessive features or image quality.

Pros

  • +

    Rugged, waterproof construction

  • +

    Kid friendly

  • +

    Wifi and Bluetooth app integration

Cons

  • -

    No zoom

  • -

    No viewfinder

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Canon has a history of producing innovative designs for camera. These concept cameras, however, are normally just shown off at trade shows to give a glimpse of what the future may look like... but they don't as a rule get beyond this blueprint stage. The Canon Ivy Rec is different... this has gone turned from a mockup to a reality thanks to a Kickstarter campaign, that served to prove that there was real demand for this camera.

In terms of the features, there is little for us to say. This is about as basic as a digital camera to get. Think of it as a stripped down action camera, that has had its viewfinder taken off. It shoots HD video, and can take 13 megapixel stills - using a fixed lens that offers a wide-angle of view that is equivalent to a 25mm.

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Chris George

Chris George has worked on Digital Camera World since its launch in 2017. He has been writing about photography, mobile phones, video making and technology for over 30 years – and has edited numerous magazines including PhotoPlus, N-Photo, Digital Camera, Video Camera, and Professional Photography. 

His first serious camera was the iconic Olympus OM10, with which he won the title of Young Photographer of the Year - long before the advent of autofocus and memory cards. Today he uses a Nikon D800, a Fujifilm X-T1, a Sony A7, and his iPhone 15 Pro Max.

He has written about technology for countless publications and websites including The Sunday Times Magazine, The Daily Telegraph, Dorling Kindersley, What Cellphone, T3 and Techradar.