Style:
Extremely pleasant camera is in your hand. This is not only because of the size (it is very compact), but also on stable metal casing. The controls are as usual at the top of the camera (on / off button, zoom button, button for the playback mode) and back right of the monitor screen (standard "D-pad" for menu, display, flash, macro, white balance). The battery and the memory card are accessible from below. A tripod socket is provided which lies outside the optical axis.
Operation:
Anyone who has ever had a digital camera in her hand comes with the Canon immediately cope, but also newcomers. You can almost not go wrong when one is based on the menu. Otherwise, you just have to press the shutter button. In a pinch, a look in the manual.
Of course, the mandatory functions are available as program / film diary / Portrait / Smart Shutter (Face Detection) / Continuous / Night Scene and various filters. I use the program mode, because there just the other Flash / White balance / Macro or even to turn off.
The video function is good, it is only limited by the battery and the memory card with 16GB of nearly an hour are possible. The battery makes unfortunately unless with (about half an hour, you lose a lot of energy, so if you just shoot pictures and then deletes). However, I do not know if that is still limited by other factors continue (eg to delineate a camcorder from a camera by law for taxes, etc.).
The battery life is Ok, but the display on the screen is very inaccurate, because very quickly the battery icon jumps to empty, where it (relatively) has stopped a long time the last line statically beforehand.
Image Quality:
Here are the ghosts. I think they are fine, but not outstanding. With a lot of light the images (or recordings in general) are quite good and are useful in low light, it is already on heat. Of course you can not expect from such a small camera results just like a DSLR. Is indeed from space and not from the sensor or its size either. But, for an "always-casual-camera" is the quality offered Ok.
Conclusion:
Overall, the Canon Ixus 500 HS can convince minor flaws such as the battery and the image quality together cost a star, so there are four of my good star. Who needs a robust and good camera can strike safely, who wants maximum sharpness and detail should look elsewhere or higher in a category.
