Canon with its IXUS series believes in playing around with slim and well performing cameras, so the moment we got the 200 IS, we were slightly disappointed. Expecting to see a sleeker device, we were just about to declare that this one would not be able to keep up to the expectations from the series. But wait, we just might have had a wrong first impression. This first is definitely not the last.
The IXUS 200 IS that came to us was grey in colour and looks like a touchscreen phone. Quite easy to hold and designed to be comfortable, the device sports a 3-inch touchscreen LCD with the playback button on the top right, menu button on the bottom right and the d-pad in the middle to the right of the screen. Around the d-pad is a scroll wheel as well to scroll through the menu or the images. The back is minimalistic and cuts clutter.
To the right of the device are the mini USB and mini HDMI slots that are neatly covered. However, the top presents a design that hampers easy use. The mode switch lever is at the top but navigating it is slightly difficult because of the weird narrow and pointy design and the power button is also quite narrow. All this despite the ample space available. The top also has the shutter button with the zoom rocker. The front hosts the 12.1 MP sensor, the flash light and the LED indicator. The camera is powered by a 1000mAh Li-ion rechargeable battery and stays for about 240 clicks on normal usage.
The camera starts in about a maximum of 2 seconds and one can click images in Auto, Program and Video modes. The Auto Mode does all the work for the user of choosing the best possible shot and only allows for slight modifications like the flash, self timer, image quality and image size only
The Program mode has a lot to offer and loads to have fun with. It offers 12 fun modes to shoot with. It features AF, touch focus and tracking as well. The usual Program, Portrait, Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Indoor, Sunset modes, along with various effects like the Creative Light Effect, Fireworks, Long Shutter, Beach, Aquarium, Foliage, Snow, ISO 3200, Digital Macro, Colour Accent, Colour Swap and Stitch Assistant. All the modes prove to be fun and make photography with the camera a fun activity.
The Colour Accent mode is where you can just pick one colour from the environment and when clicked, the sensor will select that particular colour while leaving the rest of the image black and white. Another interesting feature is Colour Swap where one colour can be swapped with another in the frame.
Video mode features standard, colour accent and colour swap modes. One can adjust the exposure, white balance, video quality and colours. The device shoots videos at a maximum resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels.
The Canon IXUS 200 IS is a very capable device, but the price tag does dampen the demand a bit. At about 21k, the touch screen might not be the only point of purchase that consumers might look at. At about 19k, you can get the Samsung ST5500 which features a 3.7-inch AMOLED full touch screen panel as well.
? CyberMedia www.LD2.in
Mail:talkLD@cybermedia.co.in