Super Compact for 'always there'

Whenever you could do a great snapshot or a small movies, you no camera there! Over and over again I was annoyed about it.
This should be final and therefore had to be an ultra-compact camera. However, it should not be any clippers, certain minimum requirements should already meet:
- Pictures in good quality course
- Movies in decent quality and with good sound
- Usable focal length range from 28 (in relation to KB)
- Ease of use (for Schappschüsse halt)
- Small dimensions in order to be able to always have

In principle, there are only two ultra-compact with a focal length from 28: the Canon IXUS 860 IS and the Panasonic FX55.
I have therefore both cameras looked a little closer and I finally decided for Canon (not an easy decision).
The first thing that impressed with the Canon after initial power, speed. After less than a second you can get started. And then immediately the second eye-opener: the display. With impressive 3 inch (7.5 cm) diagonal, it occupies most of the back of the camera. That really impressive is the quality of the display. Light bright with rich colors and an almost non-existent angular dependence. A comparable good display I've seen yet on any (compact) camera. The display also has a kind of anti-reflective coating, so that it can be seen clearly even in direct sunlight. This in turn is also necessary, since in the absence of an optical viewfinder has no other way of composition.
Otherwise, the operation Canon typically is relatively simple. Instead of the usual for Canon cameras selector dial to select the program, there is a three-stage slide switch on the camera top. Personally, I find this not so successful, as you meet the middle position (scene mode) only with concentration. Too easily we slip over it and ends up instead in the final position.
If you have the required the three modes (movie, scenes, automatic) is set, carried out the 'fine-tuning' on the function menu. This then displays the available options for each mode directly to the left and lower side of the display on the live image. The ring is designed as four-way rocker you can then select the option (up / down) and their values ​​(right / left). With a renewed pressure on the function button (in the middle of the ring) then disappear the options and he is taken over set value.
If there is no function menu is active, you can reach via the four-way rocker useful functions directly (ISO, macro, flash modes, self-timer). If one has settled a bit, so this approach is very useful and intuitive to use.
The 'four-way rocker ring' but still has a function. If you move your finger the ring in one direction or the other along, so the display shows a arranged in a circle illustration of the possible options, which can then be run through with a further movement of the finger across the ring like a iPod touch wheel. The usefulness of this feature is even debatable, it is usable with this camera in any case definitely not. Even with a lot of patience, it did not succeed, so to work properly. Although with some exercise appear the symbols, but the selection of the symbol of the movement of the finger over the ring is hit or miss. Usually one triggers an unintended function.
The good news is, however, this function is necessary for liquid Operating the camera in any way.
Now the most important thing in a camera, the image quality. I'm not a friend of the pixel craze of marketing departments of all camera manufacturers. Previously, I had a Canon PowerShot S30 with 3 megapixel sensor. Their pictures have been served wholeheartedly for any kind of use. Of course I did not create wall-sized prints of the pictures. But for prints up A5 and A4 partly it has all passed.
The 8 megapixel 870 IS take today already almost puny in if you already see models with up to 12 megapixels. I would be a 5-6 megapixel model with orderly large sensor all prefer. And on the sensor size is the weak point in the 860 IS (as indeed in all 8 megapixel models). As a result of falls per pixel so little light on the sensor, so that the induced voltage moves close to the value of self-noise. Need the images to make bearable so highly bred imaging processors to work. When Canon afford this obviously amazing. In the low ISO levels at least the images are consistently described as good. From ISO 200, however, can be seen when zooming already clear image noise in the form of colored pixels. At higher ISO levels, this is getting worse, despite the ever more rigorously works continuous noise reduction. So it is, avoid high ISO levels. I have my on max. ISO 200 is set. Should it be unavoidable, so you can go to ISO 800 by the Auto ISO Shift briefly _manuell_. This function can be set on the Print Screen key and thus decide for yourself whether you want to accept the loss of quality or not. Very commendable!
The recorded videos are in 640x480 at 30 frames per second, a very good quality. Also, the recorded sound is convincing. In direct comparison to the FX55 This is particularly striking.
What else is there to say? The dimensions of the camera can be described as a shirt pocket. Much less does not make sense, at least if you want such a display. The one-handed operation of the camera now falls already difficult because the thumb is not really fits (but doable).
I missed the auto bracket mode compared to my S30. This three images are shot consecutively at short-time triggering, the exposure will be set differently. There's a time-lapse mode, with which you can shoot an image every 1 or 2 seconds which together law at the end into a film.
Useful is also the custom self-timer mode. Here you can not only the time to trip choose (to 30 seconds) but also set yet how many images (max. 10) are to be made. Useful for group pictures to really catch all with their eyes open.
The built-in flash is sufficiently powerful for indoor shots. Further away lying motives but before underexposed when reflected in the foreground too much light. Red eyes I have seen worse in other cameras and if they do arise which, you can eliminate this right in the display mode. And that also works quite passable. And finally there's the face recognition, without which today hardly dares a compact on the market. In some situations, it may well be helpful, but is only partially reliable. Look the person straight into the camera, it works quite well. In profile, or slightly bowed head she fails, however, too often.
All in all, I'm so happy with the camera and can recommend in good conscience.

Here again is a summary of things that I particularly liked and which nerves:
++ Super fast start and trip time
+++ Super Display
++ Useful focal length range of 28-105mm
+ Fast and usually correct focus
+ Autofocus assist lamp, thus focusing possible in complete darkness
+ Easy operation
+ Image stabilization works well, but does not perform miracles
+ Convenient functions
+ Good video quality
+ Chic desing and build quality
+ Nice features (Time Lapse, custom self-timer, red-eye tool, Face Detection)
+ Under good lighting conditions very good pictures

- Strong noise at ISO 200 is larger (but common problem of the compact)
- No auto bracket mode more
- Faint at the telephoto end, thereby again increased noise