Performance
The IXUS 800 IS's quick and responsive performance hits the right note. A shutter lag of 0.5 seconds in bright light and 0.8 seconds in dim light are about average for an ultracompact, but its 1.5-second time to first shot and 1.6-second shot-to-shot time definitely rise above the crowd. Even with the onboard flash enabled, shot-to-shot time rose to only 1.9 seconds. And it keeps up the pace in continuous-shooting mode -- about 2.1fps in burst mode for an effectively unlimited number of shots.
Though it's the first IXUS-series to use Canon's optical image stabilisation system, the 800 IS does a very good job of minimising blur. Zoomed-in photos look crisp and clean with image stabilisation, and wide-angle, low-light photos suffer less blur than usual.
Image quality
Like performance, the image quality rates as excellent. The 800 IS reproduces colour very well, and images are clean with few processing flaws. Photos remain consistent and noise-free at low-to-moderate ISO speeds and are acceptable even at ISO 400. At ISO 800, we noticed some distinct noise in our photos, but it was a clean, grainlike noise that left the images very usable. Furthermore, lens sharpness remains relatively consistent around the edges, unlike with some similar cameras. This helps keep fringing to a minimum.
The Canon Digital IXUS 800 IS is a very strong, compact digital camera that produces great pictures. Its price is a bit high compared to that of its little siblings, the IXUS 60 and IXUS 65, but its great image stabilisation and subsequent blur-free photos are worth the extra few quid.
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
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Typical shot-to-shot time |
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Time to first shot |
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Shutter lag (typical) |
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
Edited by Lori Grunin
Additional editing by Kate Macefield
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User reviews3
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Remmy Kinyanjui 19 October 2006
Good: Picture & video quality, battery life, macro and lots more
Bad: Not much
Comment: I am one of the most cautious buyers I know, so before deciding to buy this camera I had scoured the net for all reviews and suggestions. Out of all the cameras I read about, the Ixus 800 IS came up trumps. The Canon Web site is also great, with sample images and camera comparisons.
I can honestly say this camera did not disappoint. The picture quality is unbelievable. I have a small gallery of some shots I took in Scotland if you want to see. http://picasaweb.google.com/wamweri/PublicScotlandPics
Brilliant camera, I don't see myself getting another camera in many years to come.
anonymous 18 September 2006
Good: Quality of camera and results
Bad: Power button
Comment: I wanted an 'up to date' camera to capture my new granddaughter's rapidly changing images. I wanted a utility camera for stills and occasional movies on a tour of Italy. I wanted my old hands to stop shaking as I took photos.
The IXUS 800 IS didn't stop my hands shaking but you would never know by the photos that it hadn't. It well satisfied all my requirements.
Anton Russell 23 June 2006
Good: Small, easy to operate once you get used to it, great quality images even at 4x zoom
Bad: It comes with a 16MB memory card which is way too small
Comment: I'm no camera expert but I did want a camera I could rely on to take good quality pictures whether it be of landscapes, parties or sports events and so far this camera has hit the right note. The display screen is huge in comparison to my previous camera's and the image quality is top notch (daylight and low light tested). A lot of my old photos suffered from red-eye, but using the reduction setting the IXUS 800 didn't show any.
People have commented on the controls being small and not easy to use, well that is true to start with, but after a while it actually becomes second nature and the benefit of a larger display screen makes it worthwhile. The on-screen prompts are also very helpful and I would strongly recommend this to the everyday user.
The 16MB memory is a bit of a joke but luckily most Internet stores offer a 1GB card and case as part of a bundle for the camera, which is a must to optimise the camera's features.
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