Canon IXUS 285 HS (Black) Canon - Review 🏆

The Canon IXUS 285 HS is a compact digital camera aimed at casual photographers looking for an easy-to-use point and shoot. Released in 2016, it features a 20.2MP CCD sensor paired with a 12x optical zoom lens, providing a versatile 35mm equivalent focal range of 25-300mm. Weighing only 137g, the IXUS 285 HS offers great portability while still packing in an impressive amount of features, including WiFi and NFC connectivity. Canon has designed the camera to appeal to social media users, with a dedicated WiFi button that makes sharing images and videos to smartphones quick and simple. The IXUS 285 HS delivers sharp, vibrant photos and Full HD video recording. While image quality may not match higher-end compacts, the IXUS 285 HS provides excellent performance for its class and remains a solid choice for those seeking an affordable, slim and stylish point-and-shoot.

Design and Build Quality

The Canon IXUS 285 HS is a sleek and stylish point-and-shoot camera that is slim and lightweight, making it highly portable. It measures 96 x 57 x 22 mm and weighs only 135g including battery and memory card. The slim metal body comes in three color options - black, silver or red. Despite its compact size, the camera feels sturdy and well-built.

The front of the camera is clean looking with the lens positioned in the top left corner. There is a subtle Canon logo printed below the lens. The top of the camera houses the power button, shutter release, zoom lever and flash. All the buttons are responsive and clicky. The back has a 2.7 inch LCD screen and a control pad for navigating the menus and settings. Overall, the build quality is excellent given the affordable price point. The sleek, slim and lightweight metal body makes the IXUS 285 HS easy to slip into a pocket or bag. If you’re particularly interested in the silver variant, be sure to check out more details on the Canon IXUS 285 HS (Silver). The classy silver finish adds a touch of elegance, making it a superb choice for style-conscious photographers.

Image Quality

The Canon IXUS 285 HS features a 20.2 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, which is on par for a compact camera in this price range. The high resolution allows you to capture detailed images and provides flexibility for cropping.

Overall image quality is good for a compact camera, producing pleasing colors and sharpness when shooting in ideal lighting conditions. However, low light performance is just average, with visible noise starting to appear at ISO 800. The maximum ISO setting is ISO 3200, but image quality deteriorates quickly at the higher ISO levels.

The DIGIC 4+ image processor does a decent job at reducing noise, but can't quite match larger sensor cameras when it comes to high ISO performance. For sharing vacation photos and casual everyday use, the image quality is perfectly suitable. But photographers looking for top-notch low light performance may want to consider a camera with a larger image sensor.

The Canon IXUS 285 HS is capable of capturing nice 20MP images in good lighting. But its high ISO performance is limited by the small sensor size. Overall, image quality is good for this class of camera, but not outstanding.

The Canon PowerShot ZOOM Essential Kit is a unique product designed for those who need an ultra-compact yet powerful zoom camera. This monocular-style camera offers 12MP still images and full HD video recording. Its standout feature is the impressive 100mm to 400mm optical zoom, making it ideal for capturing distant subjects with clarity. The camera is also equipped with image stabilization to reduce blur, making it perfect for outdoor adventures and wildlife observation. For those who prioritize portability and powerful zoom capabilities in a compact form, this kit is an excellent choice.

Features

The Canon IXUS 285 HS has a solid set of features for a compact camera in this price range. Some of the notable features include:

• Built-in WiFi and NFC - Allows easy transfer of photos to smartphones and tablets, as well as remote control of the camera. Useful for sharing photos immediately.

• 12x optical zoom lens - Provides a versatile zoom range going from wide angle to telephoto, allowing you to capture both landscapes and distant subjects. Has optical image stabilization.

• 20.2MP sensor - Captures detailed images with plenty of resolution for printing. The high megapixel count allows cropping flexibility as well.

• DIGIC 4+ image processor - Provides quick performance, with shot-to-shot times under 2 seconds. Enables full HD video recording as well.

• Hybrid Auto mode - Records a short video clip before each photo, which can be used later to create a highlights video of the day's shots. A fun feature for memory capturing.

• Creative Shot mode - Applies various filters and effects to each photo, so you get several stylized versions of each shot. Great for artistic photos.

• Face Detection and Tracking - Detects faces and keeps them in focus as they move across the frame. Ensures people stay sharp.

• Intelligent IS - Analyzes camera movement and applies the ideal image stabilization for the shooting conditions. Results in blur-free images and videos.

The set of features makes the IXUS 285 HS a well-rounded compact camera that is versatile and easy to use. The WiFi connectivity options make it great for sharing your photos.

Video Quality

The Canon IXUS 285 HS can record full HD 1080p video at 30 fps, which produces smooth and detailed footage. It also offers 720p HD recording at 60 fps for capturing fast action scenes with smoother motion.

For formats, you can choose between MP4 or iFrame movies. MP4 gives you better quality and smaller files sizes, while iFrame is more compatible for editing. The camera uses H.264 compression for efficient MP4 files.

Some additional video features include zooming while filming, manual exposure controls like shutter speed and ISO, and built-in stereo microphones for audio recording. There is no external mic input though. Autofocus and image stabilization work quite well when recording video to keep your footage sharp.

Overall, the video capabilities of the IXUS 285 are strong for a compact camera in this price range. The full HD resolution and frame rate options cover both high quality and high speed needs.

Performance

The Canon IXUS 285 HS delivers solid performance that is suitable for casual everyday photography. Its autofocus system is decently fast and accurate in good lighting conditions. While not the fastest, it is able to lock focus and capture shots without much delay.

In terms of shot-to-shot times, the IXUS 285 HS is quite responsive. You can expect to wait about 1-2 seconds between shots when shooting JPEG images. The buffer fills after about 5-6 RAW shots, after which the shot-to-shot delay increases significantly.

For burst shooting, the IXUS 285 HS can capture images continuously at a rate of 6.9 fps, which is pretty good for a compact camera. This allows you to capture fast action and fleeting moments relatively easily. The burst depth is limited however - the RAW buffer fills after 5-6 shots, while the JPEG buffer allows for a burst of 10 shots. So you'll need to time your bursts wisely when shooting continuous high-speed sequences.

Overall, the Canon IXUS 285 HS delivers good enough performance for casual day-to-day shooting and family events. It may not be suitable for serious action photography, but its autofocus, shot-to-shot times and burst speeds are very capable for a compact point-and-shoot.

Battery Life

The Canon IXUS 285 HS comes with a rechargeable NB-11LH lithium-ion battery that provides enough power for around 185 shots per charge, based on CIPA standards. This is a fairly average battery life for a compact camera of this size.

The battery is charged via the included USB cable by plugging into a computer or USB charger. A full charge from empty takes around 2 hours.

While 185 shots per charge is decent, you may want to invest in a spare battery for all day shooting or travel. The battery is small and lightweight enough to easily carry a backup.

Overall, the battery life is sufficient for casual everyday use and should easily get you through a day of moderate shooting. Just be aware that battery life can drain faster when using features like the Wi-Fi, GPS or video recording.

Ease of Use

The Canon IXUS 285 HS is designed to be very easy and intuitive to use, making it a great option for beginner photographers. The camera has a slim, stylish body that is comfortable to hold. The buttons are clearly labeled and conveniently located for one-handed operation.

The menu system is straightforward and user-friendly. Options are logically organized into tabs like shooting, playback, and setup. Important shooting settings can be quickly accessed through the Func menu. There is also a help feature that explains what each setting does.

The camera provides ample external controls while still maintaining a minimalist design. The power button, shutter release, zoom lever, and playback button are all easy to reach. The 4-way controller and set button provide quick access to drive mode, flash, self-timer, and macro focusing. Overall, the camera achieves an excellent balance of simplicity and manual control.

New users will appreciate the ease of use offered by the IXUS 285 HS. The intuitive design, simple menu system, and helpful features allow you to spend more time composing great shots and less time fiddling with controls. The camera offers an effortless user experience without sacrificing capabilities.

Value for Money

The Canon IXUS 285 HS offers decent value for money as an entry-level point-and-shoot camera. Its current price is around £130, which puts it in competition with other budget compact cameras.

At this price point, you can expect some trade-offs in terms of build quality and specifications compared to more expensive models. The IXUS 285 HS has a plastic body that feels a bit flimsy but is fairly standard for the price.

Image quality is quite good for a low-cost compact thanks to the 20MP sensor and DIGIC 4+ image processor. While you won't get professional-level performance, photos are sharp and color accurate in good lighting conditions. Low light performance is just average, with more noise in dim conditions.

The zoom lens maxes out at 12x optical zoom, which gives you a versatile range for landscapes, portraits, and close-ups. Video can be shot in 720p HD resolution, which is lower than more expensive cameras but sufficient for casual home videos.

Overall, the IXUS 285 HS stacks up well against the competition at this price point. You get a solid set of features and performance for everyday shooting. More expensive compact cameras will offer higher resolution sensors, better low light capability, full HD video, and more robust build quality. But if you want an affordable, portable point-and-shoot with no frills, the IXUS 285 HS is a good value choice.

Conclusion

The Canon IXUS 285 HS is a compact camera that offers a good balance of features, image quality, and portability. Here are some final pros and cons:

Pros:

• Compact and lightweight design makes it very portable
• 20.2MP sensor captures detailed images
• 10x optical zoom range is very versatile
• WiFi and NFC connectivity for easy photo sharing
• Excellent image stabilization reduces blur
• Good performance for a compact camera
• Intuitive menu system and controls

Cons:

• Image quality drops in low light conditions
• Lacks advanced manual controls
• Battery life could be better
• No RAW shooting mode
• No touchscreen

Overall, the Canon IXUS 285 HS is an excellent choice if you want an easy-to-use compact camera that can fit in your pocket. It captures nice photos and offers a long 10x zoom in a slim body. Just don't expect pro-level image quality, especially in low light. For casual photographers who want great portability without sacrificing key features like zoom or connectivity, the IXUS 285 HS is a great value at its price point. I can recommend it for vacations, family events, and everyday shooting. More advanced photographers may want to look at pricier compact cameras with larger sensors and more manual controls. But the IXUS 285 HS hits a sweet spot for casual photo-taking with its blend of portability, image quality, features, and price.