• Nice petite design and comfortable handling
• Simple features
• Average image quality

Photo: Canon

The Canon Digital IXUS 105, which was released only a few months ago, was one of the most chic Canon compact digital cameras released at the time. It’s got a very feminine look and feel about it, while at the same time coming with acceptable features which shouldn’t disappoint the average user.

Nice petite design and comfortable handling

Canon has made the IXUS 105’s body small and petite, while not compromising on any of the compact digital camera’s photographic capabilities. It’s almost shaped like a bar of soap and the all-metal body has a smooth finish. The Canon Digital IXUS 105 doesn’t feature that many controls, but those it does have are well positioned, making them easy to use. The front of the camera is simple, with the camera’s lens being most prominent. The back of the camera is also simply designed, and the device’s LCD screen dominates proceedings on this end. Though not featuring a handgrip, the IXUS 105 is surprisingly comfortable to use and feels good in hand. The top plate of the camera is not clustered and the shutter release is easily accessible.

Simple features

The Canon Digital IXUS 105 comes fitted with a 12.1-megapixel CCD camera sensor coupled with a 4x optical zoom lens with a focal range of 28-112mm that comes with integrated image stabilisation. Helping users take images quickly and easily, Canon has added a Smart Auto mode with Smart Flash Exposure and Scene Detection Technology plus Face Detection, FaceSelf-Timer and Auto Red-Eye Correction. In reducing the amount of motion blur in images, Canon has also included Motion Detection technology, and images are framed and reviewed using the device’s 2.7-inch LCD screen.

Average image quality

When it comes to image quality, the Canon Digital IXUS 105 doesn’t deliver anything out of the ordinary. Images come out softer than expected and colours are acceptable. The IXUS 105, being touted as a simple compact digital camera, produces simple images – not much else should be expected from the device. Noise stays away up to ISO 400, while the device performs well enough in low light conditions and very well at night with a maximum shutter speed of 15 seconds. The Macro mode performance is also good and will allow users to focus in on objects from as close as 3cm away.

The features are simple, image quality is simple, and it looks simple. It’s perfect for the holiday-goer, but users shouldn’t expect too much from this digital camera.