Canon IXUS 285 HS (Silver) Canon - Review 🏆

The Canon IXUS 285 HS is a compact point-and-shoot camera that was released in 2015. It features a 20.2 megapixel CMOS sensor and a 12x optical zoom lens with a 35mm equivalent focal length of 25-300mm. Some key specifications of the IXUS 285 HS include:

• 20.2MP 1/2.3" CMOS sensor
• DIGIC 4+ image processor
• 12x optical zoom lens (25-300mm equivalent)
• Intelligent IS image stabilization
• 1080p full HD video recording
• 3.0" 460k dot LCD screen
• Built-in WiFi and NFC connectivity
• ISO sensitivity up to 6400
• Creative Shot mode
• Smart Auto mode
• Eco mode to save battery life
• Dimensions: 3.6 x 2.3 x 0.9"
• Weight: 147g (with battery and memory card)

The IXUS 285 HS is an ultracompact camera designed for casual photographers looking for a point-and-shoot with long zoom range and connectivity features like WiFi and NFC. Key highlights include the 12x optical zoom, 1080p video, and Creative Shot mode that automatically generates artistic photos.

Design

The Canon IXUS 285 HS has a sleek and stylish design that makes it easy to carry around. It measures 96 x 54 x 22 mm, so it can fit comfortably in your pocket. The camera weighs just 127g, making it very lightweight and portable.

The body is made of metal, giving it a premium feel. The front is finished in silver, while the back has a black panel. The IXUS 285 HS only comes in one color option - silver and black.

Despite its small size, the camera still has a decent grip thanks to the subtle thumb rest on the back. The build quality feels solid with no creaking or flexing. Overall, the design is understated yet attractive. The compact size and lightweight body make the IXUS 285 HS an excellent travel companion.

Additionally, the Canon PowerShot G1X Mark III stands out with its advanced features and superior image quality. It boasts a 24.2 MP APS-C sensor and a DIGIC 7 processor, making it perfect for capturing detailed photos and videos. The G1X Mark III also features a built-in electronic viewfinder and a versatile 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen, making it highly functional and user-friendly for a range of photography needs.

Image Quality

The Canon IXUS 285 HS features a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor with an effective resolution of 20.2 megapixels. This allows the camera to capture detailed images with a good amount of resolution.

It utilizes Canon's DIGIC 4+ image processor, which helps produce sharp images with accurate colors and good contrast. The processor also enables features like autofocus and continuous shooting.

The ISO range of the IXUS 285 HS spans 80 to 3200, which is decent for a compact camera. This provides flexibility when shooting in low light situations. However, image noise starts to appear at higher ISO levels and detail suffers somewhat.

For reducing camera shake and blur, the IXUS 285 HS has Intelligent IS image stabilization. This optical stabilization system detects camera movement and makes micro-adjustments to counteract it. The result is sharper handheld shots and videos, especially in low light environments.

Overall, the image quality and sensor capabilities of the Canon IXUS 285 HS are solid for a compact point-and-shoot camera in this price range. It can capture pleasing 20MP images with good detail and colors. Low light performance is also decent thanks to the optical stabilization.

Canon EOS 90D

The Canon EOS 90D is a versatile and powerful DSLR designed for both enthusiasts and professionals. It features a 32.5MP APS-C CMOS sensor and the DIGIC 8 image processor, enabling high-resolution stills and 4K video recording. The camera offers an expanded ISO range of 100-25600, delivering excellent performance in various lighting conditions. With a 45-point all cross-type AF system and Dual Pixel CMOS AF, the EOS 90D ensures fast and accurate focusing. Its continuous shooting speed of up to 10 fps makes it perfect for capturing fast-moving subjects. Additionally, the camera includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for easy sharing and remote control.

Video Recording

The Canon IXUS 285 HS can record full HD 1080p video at 30 fps. It also offers 720p HD video at 60 fps for smooth action footage. Lower resolution VGA 640 x 480 video can be captured at 30 fps. The IXUS 285 HS records video in MP4 format. Clips are limited to a maximum length of 29 minutes and 59 seconds. The optical zoom can be used while recording, allowing you to zoom in and out smoothly. An integrated wind filter helps reduce wind noise when filming outdoors. Overall, the video capabilities are quite good for a compact point-and-shoot camera in this class. The full HD resolution combined with optical zoom make the IXUS 285 HS a versatile pocket video camera.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed

The IXUS 285 HS has a contrast-detect autofocus system that is quick and accurate in good lighting conditions. It can focus on subjects in as little as 0.2 seconds, allowing you to capture shots without missing the moment.

For action shots and capturing moving subjects, the IXUS 285 HS has decent burst shooting capabilities. It can shoot up to 5.9 frames per second in continuous shooting mode, which is sufficient for most purposes. While not the fastest burst mode out there, it provides enough speed to freeze motion reasonably well. Lower resolution settings allow for faster burst rates if needed.

Overall, the autofocus system and burst shooting speed make the IXUS 285 HS a versatile camera that performs well for everyday shooting scenarios of still subjects and moderate action. It may not be the best choice for highly fast-paced sports or action photography, but handles most casual use cases effectively.

Display

The Canon IXUS 285 HS has a 3-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 460,000 dots. It's not a touchscreen or vari-angle display, which is understandable for a compact camera at this price point.

The 460K-dot resolution delivers sharp and vivid images during playback and when composing shots on the screen. It's detailed enough to confirm focus and review photos.

A 3-inch screen is a good size for a compact camera - it's large enough to see your shot, without dominating the back of the camera. The lack of a vari-angle display may bother some users who want to shoot from creative angles. But the screen does tilt upward 180 degrees and downward 45 degrees, providing some flexibility.

Overall the display is high quality and suitable for a camera in this class. It's bright enough for outdoor use and delivers a crisp live view. The fixed position may be a downside for vloggers or photographers who often work at odd angles. But for general photography, the screen gets the job done.

Connectivity

The Canon IXUS 285 HS has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity for easy sharing of photos and videos. It allows you to connect the camera to your smartphone or tablet via the Canon Camera Connect app. This gives you the ability to remotely control the camera, as well as instantly transfer images from the camera to your mobile device.

The NFC feature makes pairing the camera with NFC-enabled Android devices quick and seamless. You just need to touch the NFC logos on both devices together, and they will connect automatically via Wi-Fi without the need to enter passwords.

In addition to Wi-Fi and NFC, the camera has a Micro-USB 2.0 port. This allows you to connect the IXUS 285 HS to your computer to offload images and videos. The port can also be used to charge the battery when it's running low.

One downside is that the IXUS 285 HS does not have Bluetooth connectivity. This would have provided a constant low-power connection to your smartphone for quick remote shooting and image transfers. The lack of Bluetooth means you need to manually connect the camera to your phone via Wi-Fi each time.

Overall, the wireless connectivity options are decent but could be improved with the addition of Bluetooth. The Wi-Fi and NFC make sharing images directly from the camera quick and convenient.

Battery Life

The Canon IXUS 285 HS is powered by a NB-11LH rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack. According to Canon, this battery is rated by CIPA standards to provide enough power for approximately 185 shots per charge.

Real world battery performance can vary depending on usage. Shooting a lot of video or using live view frequently will drain the battery faster. The battery life is fairly typical for a compact camera of this type. 185 shots per charge should be sufficient for a full day of casual shooting. However, power users may want to carry a spare battery for extended outings or trips.

The battery is charged by plugging the camera into the included AC adapter using a standard USB cable. A full charge from empty takes approximately 2 hours. Overall, the battery life is decent but not outstanding. Carrying an extra battery is recommended for heavy shooters.

Pros

The Canon IXUS 285 HS compact camera has several standout features that make it a great choice.

• Large 20.2MP sensor: The 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor provides excellent resolution for large prints and cropping flexibility. 20MP is generous for a compact camera in this price range.

• Wide angle lens: The 12X optical zoom lens starts at a wide 24mm equivalent, letting you fit more of a scene into the frame. This is useful for landscapes, architecture, and group shots.

• Enhanced image stabilization: Canon's Intelligent IS system provides up to 4 stops of shake correction for sharp images when hand-holding the camera. This is a great feature for low light situations.

• Full HD video: You can record 1920 x 1080 pixel full high definition video at a smooth 30fps frame rate. The videos have good detail and color.

• WiFi and NFC: Built-in wireless connectivity makes it easy to transfer images to smartphones and tablets. NFC provides a quick one-touch connection with NFC-enabled devices.

• Creative shot mode: This mode automatically creates several variations of each image with filters and crops applied. It's fun for casual shooting.

• Large 7.5cm LCD: The high resolution screen makes images look great during playback. The size makes it easy to frame shots and review images.

• Good low light performance: Given the small sensor size, the IXUS 285 HS does a great job controlling noise levels up to ISO 1600. This allows handheld low light shooting.

Overall the IXUS 285 HS combines a long zoom, large sensor, and robust feature set into a slim, pocketable body. It's a versatile compact for travel and everyday use. The image quality and performance exceed expectations for the price.

Cons

• The Canon IXUS 285 HS has a small 1/2.3-inch sensor, which can struggle in low light conditions and produce more image noise compared to larger sensors. This limits its performance for low light photography.

• There is no option to shoot in RAW format. The camera only saves JPEGs, which provides less flexibility for editing images later.

• The zoom range is relatively limited. With just a 12x optical zoom, it doesn't allow you to get extremely close to distant subjects. Some other compact cameras in this price range offer longer zoom ranges.

• There is no external microphone input or hot shoe for attaching accessories like an external flash. This limits the expandability and accessory options.

• The battery life is quite short at just 185 shots per charge. You'll need to have spare batteries on hand or be able to frequently charge it while traveling.

• There is no built-in GPS for automatic geotagging. You'll need to geotag images manually if desired.

• The display is fixed and doesn't tilt or swivel, which reduces flexibility for shooting at awkward angles. A vari-angle LCD would be preferable.