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Canon Digital IXUS 800 IS

By Jeremy Roche on 23 February 2006

The Canon IXUS 800 IS utilises image stabilisation and high ISO settings to produce impressive pictures from an attractive compact camera.

Editor's rating:8.4 User rating:6.9
  • Good: Excellent image quality • Solid yet streamlined design • Easy, straightforward operation
  • Bad: Slightly bigger and heavier than competing models • Awkwardly placed power button • No aperture-priority or shutter-priority modes
  • Specs: Digital compact • 6 megapixels • 2.5 inch • 4 x • See more specifications
  • RRP: AU$799.00
Photo gallery: Canon Digital IXUS 800 IS

Canon's stylish range of IXUS cameras for 2006 start with 5-megapixel models and range up to a 7-megapixel shooter at prices from AU$499 up to AU$799.

Upside
The 6-mexapixel 800 IS is the first IXUS model from Canon to feature anti-shake capabilities. Optical image stabilisation technology is built into the 4x optical zoom lens of the 800IS, and aims to combat blurry images that often result when shooting in low light. Image stabilisation is a feature commonly seen on megazoom cameras, where camera shake is hard to avoid with the optical zoom maxed out in telephoto mode.

The 800 IS is closest in design to the IXUS 750, with a smooth curve sweeping down one of the sides of its sturdy, metallic case. There are 12 preset shooting modes for a range of environments, such as beach, indoors, foliage, fireworks and underwater (the optional waterproof case is sold separately).

Another little camera with a big screen, the 800IS's 2.5-inch LCD spans most of the rear of the camera, which really does but put older models with smaller displays to shame. Aside from giving a more accurate representation while composing a shot, the large display makes it easier -- and more impressive -- to share photos with friends.

Downside
The large LCD has made Canon squish the optical viewfinder down to an excruciatingly small size. Perhaps Canon would have been better off eliminating it all together, as in the case of the IXUS 65, which sports a 3-inch LCD. Another niggling problem we noticed with a pre-production model Canon let us play with was the mode dial on the side of the camera that felt a little flimsy and awkward to control accurately.

Outlook
Price-wise, the 800 IS sits alongside the IXUS Wireless and IXUS 750 at a recommended retail price of AU$799, which are 5- and 7.1-megapixel cameras, respectively. Specs-wise, image stabilisation is the feature that sets this model apart from the crowd, but you'll need to look elsewhere for advanced controls.

The IXUS 800 IS will be available from April. Other 6-megapixel options from Canon include the AU$629 IXUS 65 and the AU$579 IXUS 60.

Topics: australia, 800is, 6-megapixel, stabilisation, compact, ixus, photography, camera, canon, review, image, digital, antishake

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Comments (16)

  • leica gave 7/10 on 12/05/2008 21:36 Report abuse

    • Good: Good for students.
      Not for professional use.
    • Bad: Brings poor image quality.

    This camera has hard body case but with great weight. Its bigger body is not good.
    This camera has very narrow lens.

  • Shimmertje gave 8/10 on 21/01/2008 16:55 Report abuse

    • Good: Image stabilisation, compact size, long battery life
    • Bad: May develop problems with use

    The 800IS has worked very well for me when I got it in June 2006, but I've noticed spot problems when I zoom in since late 2007.

    There is only one spot, it isn't on the surface on the lens, and it's very obvious on light backgrounds (I have pictures on Flickr with the spot clearly near the upper right corner).

    It isn't reflected dust in the air; I know what that looks like. I would have hoped that the camera would have lasted a bit longer, but there you have it.

    With regards pictures with the flash, they generally don't come out very well for me so I try to go without and the image stabilisation helps.

    To be fair I must've taken over 10,000 (ten thousand) shots with this camera now and it goes everywhere with me, so the spot may have been caused by moist conditions or something.

    I would continue to buy the Canon Ixus though.

  • Jim in Oregon gave 9/10 on 15/04/2007 16:07 Report abuse

    • Good: size, full auto, face finder, image stablization
    • Bad: view finder is the size of a pin head - might as well not have one.

    I like this camera! I haven't experienced the problems listed by others. I have been getting great pictures in daylight and low light. I have used full auto and manual - I find manual to be a bit cumbersome, so mostly use auto. In addition, the 'face finder' software seems to work well.

  • Kazworth gave 10/10 on 30/03/2007 01:01 Report abuse

    • Good: What more do you want from a small camera,it is very user friendly and with all the software out there for editing you can correct thse little things anyway.
    • Bad: For the size of the camera..simply none.

    It's a good honest camera.There are always going to be those who want what is not yet possible.For all the spot people have you checked to see if this occurs with other compacts.It's a good camera once again.

  • ceavoi gave 10/10 on 24/02/2007 18:44 Report abuse

    i've noticed many comments about spots. all i have to say is that i've had nothing but perfection from my camera. I'm in australia and have purchased the hong kong model. the screen is lovely and the controls are the most simplest i've had to use. some noise is present when taking the ISO pictures but who the hell cares. its a great camera that was way too expensive when it was first released but if you shop around I picked mine up brand new for around 400AUD

  • Anon gave 2/10 on 08/02/2007 14:11 Report abuse

    • Good: The Canon Power Shot SD800 IS is defective by design because spots appear randomly in images.
    • Bad: The Canon Power Shot SD800 IS is defective by design because spots appear randomly in images. Canon is not interested in helping consumers with this problem, as evidenced by the tech support representative's response.

    Well, I submitted my complaints about spots appearing in images on my Canon Power Shot SD800 IS to canon, and here is the reply I got:

    Dear Mr. Radcliffe,

    Thank you for submitting images for us to review.

    However, the issue, we feel is a classic description of particles in the air that are reflecting the flash.

    When shooting with flash, you may notice areas sometimes described as “orbs” or “spots” appearing in the picture in front of your subject. These “orbs” or “spots” usually appear as bright white or gray out-of-focus spots. The “orbs” or “spots” are generally caused by particles in the air that reflect the flash. Examples of these particles include but are not limited to; dust, sawdust, snowflakes, rain or even insects that reflect light. The brightness of these “orbs” or “spots” will vary depending on the distance from the camera’s flash, the closer they are to the camera the brighter they will appear.

    Ideally, it is best to shoot in locations where there are few suspended particles in the air; however, when this is not possible, please try the following methods to reduce the effect in your images.

    Try lighting the area as much as possible to avoid using the flash. Turning on as many available lights in the room can do this.

    Sincerely:
    Justin
    Senior Technical Support Representative
    Canon Photographic Products Group
    www.usa.canon.com

    si I replied back, saying this was not acceptable, that the camera (the Canon Power Shot SD800 IS) is defective by design. Their reply:

    Dear Mr. Radcliffe,

    In all sincerity the issue your encountering is not a defect, but a matter of physics. The relative distance of the flash from the lens is causing the light from the flash to reflect off particles in the air and back to the cameras lens. This scenario is unfortunately not uncommon in compact camera regardless of model or brand. This Issue may be less prevalent in cameras that have there flashes further away from the lens, however this would result in a larger camera design overall. This being said I could not guarantee your images being completely "orb" or "spot" free.

    If you would like to have your product exchanged or returned, you will need to contact the retailer you purchased your camera from. Canon does not sell cameras inside of the United States, but relies on retailers to sell our products for us, and would not have the option to exchange your product. If your camera were in fact defective we would have it addressed at our factory service center. As stated earlier, however, we do not have any reason to believe that your product is defective, so this would not be a suitable recourse. I hope this information is helpful and I thank you for choosing Canon.

  • Anon gave 2/10 on 02/02/2007 14:35 Report abuse

    • Good: Easy to use, nice display, high resolution images.
    • Bad: Spots appear randomly in images, ruining about 20% of the pictures I have taken

    I bought this camera thinking it was a great package deal. Unfortunately spots appear at random in images, particularly when you take pictures of dark background - like a friend's black sweater. I just contacted canon and I'm waiting to find out what they say.

  • Harry Wright gave 8/10 on 29/01/2007 22:20 Report abuse

    • Good: Good IS, large clear screen, reliable 'auto' mode, sharp images.
    • Bad: Felt need for aperture and shutter priority options, lacks a hand grip and had to add rubber strips for safe holding, naming some advanced settings like 'Kids & Pets' annoying.

    Tried his camera for an Africa trip for compactness and security rather than my 350d SLR. It was a success, excellent tones and sharpness to A4, clear LCD viewer, hardly used eyepiece. Flash also good within range.

  • mike34london gave 2/10 on 13/01/2007 14:21 Report abuse

    You are correct, that is why I have posted this here.

  • Undecided gave 5/10 on 13/01/2007 11:17 Report abuse

    Mike34London- I think from reading web sites, the Canon SD800is is the European name for the Ixus 850IS. The Canon SD700is is the European name for the Canon IXUS 800is.
    Please disregard my "user rating" of this product as I have bought neither camera, but am still deciding what to purchase.

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