Ixus 255 HS:
Canon delivers with this new Ixus 255 a chic, very small and lightweight model (incl. Battery 144 gr.) With optical tenfold zoom that covers a small image equivalent focal length range of 24 to 240mm.
The camera has the usual compact sensor size of 1 / 2.3 inches. But by "only" 12 Mpixel the small sensor is not so much overloaded and promises a better noise performance in low-light area. The built-in flash will be sure not so often used. The touch-less TFT on the back has three-inch diagonal and triggers with 460000 points neatly on.
The scope of delivery is complete, with battery, charger, USB cable and wrist strap. An included image software CD completes the set.
Equal first the most important thing, the image quality:
I have to admit, the picture quality has already surprised me in the Smart Auto mode for such a small "notches" and in a positive sense. In sunny daylight, the camera takes surprisingly sharp and beautiful shots. I absolutely can not fault here. The camera is ready for use very quickly, focused and immediately triggers afloat from. Even the image stabilizer earns its name. When enabled (default), it acts permanently and clearly. For 10x zoom it is anyway essential, you should want to work without a tripod. Especially I was surprised about the macro function. I have placed here are two pictures in the customer area (flowers) for illustrative purposes. Very nice colors and with absolute sharpness. The shooting indoors under normal lighting conditions are also fairly decent, if necessary, the small integr on. Flash to. The ISO range covers the values 80-6400. The illumination of the images is felt significantly better than my great Fujitsu HS50 in automatic mode! In backlight is also produced by a Canon lens flare effect, the visible but still tolerable fails.
Something for creatives can also be found here:
Anyone who wants to can draw common menu in various modes such as today. Short Zusammengefasst-> Portrait, Smooth Skin, Fish-eye Effect, Night Scene, Fireworks, continuous shooting and much more. are on board. Also a kind of "semi-automatic" Panorama mode is available, the images have to be combined via software. The automatic hybrid mode, activated by a small slider, always takes on a movie plus a single photo. This is quite interesting for the production of film diaries.
The video mode:
HD videos are supported in standards for PAL / NTSC at 24 fps. High-speed video mode (Super Slow Motion) allows 120 frames / s with VGA resolution (640 x 480 pixels) and even 240 frames / s with QVGA resolution (320 x 240 pixels). The camera can output the signal via the HDMI or AV connection. I found the videos is OK, only the autofocus is pumping occasionally clear. For short clips it's all perfectly adequate. Recording sounds from the AF are not noticed, the zoom can be heard.
WLAN:
Of course, today's compact cameras are under pressure towards the good smartphones, with whom you can exchange very straightforward now quite nice pictures in social networks, etc.. Counteract something that more and more cameras will also begin to support this functionality.
In this Canon the included software (CD) must be installed on the computer for the WLAN capability with the PC. Of course, an app (CameraWindow) needs to Smartphone's, would you want to exchange data with the smartphone via WLAN. After that to pictures and even GPS data can be exchanged between the two devices. I think to use the option WLAN not wrong. I have therefore downloaded the latest instructions from the home page in order to install Canon. I found the decor a bit complicated, but then eventually it will work. The real "charm" for me it is not, however, quite apart from the battery consumption. I'll just re-insert the SD card from the camera into the notebook, or connect the camera via USB and transfer the images so, also works quickly and always goes. For upload images to social networking smartphone with touchscreen is still the go simply unbeatable!
Conclusion:
Here Canon is a small, chic trouser pockets-camera with some additional features and really good image quality achieved. Here fits the price / performance ratio.
5 stars and recommendation for the compact clippers the WLAN is not necessarily required and is friend of the automatic mode with a commitment to good photos.
Addendum on 05/14/2014 -> Battery Information problem on some devices, so when you buy it possibly make!
Canon FAQ ID: L00000239 14-Feb-14
It was confirmed that occur with some digital compact cameras the IXUS 255 HS model battery contact failure. Below this issue and the services provided by Canon are described in detail ... This issue affects cameras with a 0, 1, 2 or 3 in the sixth position of the serial number ... Affected products are repaired free of charge regardless of warranty status, if it is confirmed, that battery contact errors.