Performance
We found the autofocus on the IXUS 90 to be fast and decisive. The onscreen focus zoom, which magnifies the centre of the screen,
really helps in this regard even if it does take some getting used
to.
The IXUS 90's speed is adequate. Start up is close to instantaneous once you disable the Canon-branded start-up screen, but shot-to-shot time is an uninspiring 3 seconds. The burst mode ticked along at a steady if underwhelming shade over 1 frames per second, but kept that up for a worthy 15 minutes with no sign of stopping. With more than 1,200 images and counting, the IXUS 90 looked set to fill the 16GB Kingston SDHC card we were using, although the battery indicator was flashing rather urgently by that point.
Images come out generally crisp and colours are accurate. Predictably, image noise is a big problem in high ISO mode, completely negating its usefulness for low-light shooting -- best avoided. Noise at ISO 1,600 isn't much better, but at speeds of 800 and below, you'll find it's well controlled without too much smearing of detail.
Conclusion
The Canon Digital IXUS 90 IS is a worthy addition to the IXUS line-up, in that it's every bit as stylish as the brand requires. Despite a paucity of features, the IXUS 90 feels substantial, thanks to its sturdy build, quirky controls, large screen and respectable picture quality.
Still, it doesn't do much to shake our nagging feeling that the IXUS range demands a price premium for style and branding rather than outstanding qualities. There are other point-and-shoots around with extra attributes that give them the edge, like the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W130's longer lens or the Samsung L830's manual controls. Still, there's something about IXUS that's hard to resist.
Edited by Jason Jenkins
Additional editing by Shannon Doubleday
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User reviews2
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userpaul6127 22 September 2009
Good: solid build,great screen,top lens & fast response
Bad: noyhing really
Comment: great little camera, takes top notch crisp clear pictures.
very fast auto focus.
would recommend without hesitation...
symonh2000 17 January 2009
Good: Just about everything
Bad: only 3x zoom, but I can live with that
Comment: I came to this camera after previously owning a Nikon S560 and a Panasonic Lumix FS5. This camera takes better photo's than either of them, and is of far superior build quality.
To be honest the only thing that could be improved is the 3x zoom which is very average, but in other areas the camera is excellent. There is a good level of manual control on the camera, yet is also takes excellent photos in auto mode.
The camera focusses acurately, and does not produce much noise. The colours are also very accurate, and there are other colour modes to allow your colours to be made more vivid. There is evan a colour accent mode which allows you to take black and white shots, but have your selected colour be in colour. So it is perfect for having a colour photo of your car with a black and white background for example.
As for build quility it is perfect, it feels like it has been sculptured from a solid lump of stainless steel. It also looks very impressive.
This camera may be regarded as expensive but I bought mine from PC world for £149. I don't think you can get a much better alrounder for the same money.
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