Canon IXUS 285 2421Y85 Canon - Review 🏆

Introduction

The Canon IXUS 285 HS is a budget-friendly compact digital camera that was released in 2015. Part of Canon's IXUS lineup, it is aimed at casual users looking for an easy-to-use and affordable point-and-shoot camera.

Some key features of the IXUS 285 HS include a 12x optical zoom lens, 16 megapixel sensor, full HD 1080p video recording, and built-in WiFi connectivity. It has a simple, stylish design with a 3-inch LCD screen on the back. While it lacks some of the more advanced features and manual controls of higher-end cameras, the IXUS 285 offers decent image quality and versatility for its low price point.

Overall, the Canon IXUS 285 HS is a solid choice for those seeking an inexpensive, pocketable camera for travel, family events, and everyday photography. Its combination of zoom, HD video, WiFi, and familiar Canon menu system make it a user-friendly option in the budget compact category. This review will take a more detailed look at the IXUS 285's capabilities and performance.

Design

The Canon IXUS 285 HS sports a compact and stylish design that easily fits into your pocket or purse. Measuring at 3.8 x 2.2 x 0.8 inches and weighing just 127g, it's lightweight enough to take anywhere without adding bulk. The camera body comes in a sleek black color that looks great while remaining discreet.

The IXUS 285 HS features smooth, rounded edges that make it comfortable to hold in your hand. The mostly metal body construction gives it a sturdy, durable feel that can withstand some bumps and knocks. The matte finish resists fingerprints and smudges, keeping it looking cleaner even after heavy use.

Overall, the IXUS 285 HS combines portability and durability with an attractive, minimalist aesthetic. Its compact form factor and lightweight build make it a great everyday camera you can easily carry with you.

In contrast, the Canon PowerShot G3 X offers a more advanced photographic experience with its 1-inch sensor and 24-600mm zoom lens. This camera is designed for enthusiasts, providing superior image quality and performance in a versatile package. It also features a large grip for better handling, and its additional manual controls allow for greater creative expression.

Image Quality

The Canon IXUS 285 HS features a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with 16.8 megapixels of resolution. This allows you to capture images at up to 4608 x 3456 pixels. The camera has a native ISO range of 100-1600, which can be expanded to ISO 3200 when needed.

The 16MP sensor provides plenty of resolution for printing high-quality photos up to poster size. The ISO range is quite good for a compact camera, giving you the flexibility to shoot in low light situations. Image noise is well controlled through ISO 800. At the higher ISO settings of 1600-3200, noise becomes more visible but images are still very usable. Overall the IXUS 285 HS delivers excellent image quality for a pocketable point-and-shoot.

In comparison, the Canon PowerShot SX540 HS offers an impressive 20.3 megapixels and a larger 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor, making it a great option for capturing detailed images. With a 50x optical zoom, it excels in versatility, allowing photographers to get close to distant subjects while maintaining image quality. Coupled with built-in Wi-Fi for easy sharing, the SX540 HS is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a compact camera that does not compromise on performance.

Zoom

The Canon IXUS 285 has a 5x optical zoom lens, which provides a 35mm focal length equivalent of 28-140mm. This covers a useful wide angle to moderate telephoto range, making it quite versatile for everyday shooting. The optical zoom provides clear and sharp images when zooming in closer to subjects.

In addition, the camera offers 4x digital zoom. However, digital zoom simply crops into the image which results in decreased image quality. It's best to rely on the optical zoom for getting closer to subjects when possible.

Overall, the 5x optical zoom is sufficient for most casual users who want some zoom capability but don't need an extremely long telephoto reach. The wide angle end is useful for landscapes and group photos, while the telephoto end lets you zoom in a bit closer on more distant subjects. It's a well-rounded focal length range for a compact point and shoot.

Video Recording

The Canon IXUS 285 can record HD video up to 720p resolution at 25 frames per second. This allows you to capture decent quality video suitable for sharing online or viewing on an HDTV.

The maximum clip length for a single video is 10 minutes, which is quite standard for compact cameras in this class. One nice feature is that you can use the optical 4x zoom while recording video to get closer to your subject.

Overall, the video capabilities are fairly basic but will meet the needs of casual users looking to capture some video clips to complement their photos. Just don't expect advanced controls or features like manual exposure settings. The focus is on point-and-shoot convenience when it comes to video recording.

Connectivity

The Canon IXUS 285 HS offers decent connectivity options for a compact camera. It has built-in WiFi and NFC which allows for wireless image transfers and remote control from linked devices. The WiFi can be a bit slow, but gets the job done. It does not have Bluetooth.

In terms of ports, the IXUS 285 HS has a micro USB port for charging and transferring data. It also has a mini HDMI port for connecting to TVs and monitors. The ports are covered by flaps to maintain the camera's sleek design. One downside is that there is no external microphone input, so you are limited to the built-in mono microphone for videos.

Overall the connectivity options are fairly standard for an entry-level compact camera. The addition of WiFi and NFC add nice convenience, allowing you to easily share photos from your camera to your phone. But the lack of Bluetooth and external mic input leaves a bit to be desired.

Display

The Canon IXUS 285 HS comes with a 3-inch LCD display, which is a decent size for a compact camera. The screen resolution is 230,000 dots, so images and menus appear sharp. While the resolution is not as high as some more expensive cameras, it's good for a camera in this price range.

The LCD screen is fixed and does not tilt or flip out. This helps keep the camera slim and pocketable. The lack of tilt does limit flexibility for shooting at creative angles though.

The display is not a touchscreen. You'll need to use the physical buttons to navigate the menus and settings. A touchscreen could potentially make operation quicker and more intuitive. However, it's understandable that Canon omitted this feature to hit the target price point.

Overall the LCD screen is functional and gets the job done. The size and resolution are perfectly fine for previewing shots on a compact camera. The lack of tilt and touch controls are compromises, but reasonable ones considering the affordable price tag.

Battery

The Canon IXUS 285 is powered by a rechargeable NB-11LH lithium-ion battery that provides enough power for approximately 190 shots per charge, based on CIPA testing standards. This is a bit lower than average compared to other cameras in this class, but should still provide enough juice for a full day of casual shooting.

The battery charges in-camera via USB, which is convenient as you can plug into any USB port or charger. However, there is no separate battery charger included, so you'll need to charge in-camera each time.

Overall, battery life is decent but not exceptional. Having a spare battery is recommended for travel or all-day use. The NB-11LH batteries are inexpensive and widely available.

Pros

The Canon IXUS 285 is a lightweight and compact digital camera that is easy to use. Here are some of the key pros:

• Lightweight and portable design: Weighing just 126g, the IXUS 285 is highly portable and can easily slip into a pocket or bag. The slim, metallic body also looks stylish. This makes it a great travel camera to have on hand to capture photos on the go.

• Simple and intuitive interface: Canon has designed an intuitive menu system and interface, with clearly marked buttons. Even beginner photographers will find the IXUS 285 easy to operate. The camera provides auto, scene, and movie modes to choose from.

• Good image quality: The IXUS 285 delivers pleasing image quality for a budget compact camera. It has a 12.1 megapixel CCD sensor and Digic 4+ image processor, which produce sharp and colorful images in decent lighting conditions. The image stabilization also helps reduce blur.

• 720p HD video recording: You can capture 720p HD video clips with stereo sound, good enough for sharing online or on a TV. The optical zoom can also be used while recording.

Cons

The Canon IXUS 285HS has a few drawbacks that are worth considering before purchase.

• It lacks a viewfinder. You must compose shots using only the rear LCD screen, which can be difficult in bright sunlight. An optical or electronic viewfinder would make composition easier in some situations.

• The camera offers limited manual controls. There are basic options to adjust exposure compensation, white balance, ISO, and a few scene modes, but no full manual controls over shutter speed and aperture. This limits the ability to take creative control over exposure.

• RAW image capture is not supported. The IXUS 285HS can only shoot JPEGs, not RAW files. This reduces flexibility for post-processing images to correct things like white balance, reduce noise, or recover blown highlights. For maximum editing potential, RAW support is advantageous.

Overall the lack of a viewfinder, manual controls, and RAW shooting will frustrate photographers who want more creative control or need to capture images in challenging lighting conditions. The Canon IXUS 285HS is designed for simple point-and-shoot use rather than manual fine-tuning of settings.