Canon Digital IXUS 980 IS Reviews: Digital Compact Camera

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Score 9.1/10 Read 59
customer reviews

+ This digital camera scores high on build quality. - It has no outstanding negative points.

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Canon Digital IXUS 980 IS: See full product description

Ease of use	8.7
Image quality	9.3
Features	9.1
Build Quality	9.4
Value for money	8.9
Overall rating	9.1

Some customer reviews of Canon Digital IXUS 980 IS

Most helpful reviews

shan, Norfolk

Score 9.0/10

Good points:: If you've owned an Ixus previously then this will be very familiar to you as it has a lot of the same features. The image quality is superb being nearly 15mp. You can clearly see the detail of objects in the background without even having to zoom in. I particularly like this camera compared to my old Ixus 55 because you start off with a wider image meaning you dont have to stand miles back if you want to take in the view. The manual settings are also a plus if the auto settings arent doing what you'd like.
The camera is a little chunkier than the Ixus 55 but you hardly notice it due to the overall quality of the product. Definitely well worth buying this camera. I spent ages researching this item and found it to be a lot cheaper on this website.
Bad points:: The round switch tends to flick to other settings easily so you have to double check before taking a photo.

Ease of use	9.0
Image quality	9.0
Features	9.0
Build Quality	9.0
Value for money	9.0
Overall rating	9.0

Was this review helpful? 1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Confirmed purchase: 25 Jul 2009

Andy, Suffolk Point & shoot

Score 10.0/10

Good points:: Very high build quality, easy to use, great camera for the price.
Bad points:: Instructions came on a CD, but photocopy booklet was included. No case.

Ease of use	9.0
Image quality	9.0
Features	9.0
Build Quality	10.0
Value for money	10.0
Overall rating	10.0

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Confirmed purchase: 20 Aug 2009

kay, dartford Keen amateur

Score 10.0/10

Good points:: Great compact camera that has it all!
Bad points:: Need to read up on how to use the many many options.

Ease of use	9.0
Image quality	10.0
Features	10.0
Build Quality	10.0
Value for money	10.0
Overall rating	10.0

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Confirmed purchase: 18 Sep 2009

Confirmed purchaser Experienced amateur

Score 8.0/10

Good points:: Size. Manual controls
Bad points:: Image noise

Ease of use	8.0
Image quality	8.0
Features	8.0
Build Quality	9.0
Value for money	9.0
Overall rating	8.0

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Confirmed purchase: 16 Sep 2009

Martin, Winchester

Score 8.0/10

Good points:: Very small and light. Sharp lens and high pixel count are adequate for selective enlargements. A4 prints are sharp edge to edge, A3 prints are pixel free. Manual (etc) options make it very flexible for creative shots. Feels well made. Surprisingly good flash coverage. Joy of joys, it has a viewfinder.
Bad points:: Pictures display vingetting (dark corners). Delayed reaction when pressing the shutter - even if pre-focussed. PIctures seem to lack sparkle and most are improved by 'auto correction' on a PC. Digital zoom (only) on video gives unacceptable results. The viewfinder is not very clear and does not show the whole of the image. Menu navigation is not intuitive (to me). Lens cover 'leaves' do not close flat every time.

Ease of use	7.0
Image quality	8.0
Features	9.0
Build Quality	8.0
Value for money	7.0
Overall rating	8.0

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Confirmed purchase: 15 Aug 2009

Confirmed purchaser Keen amateur

Score 9.0/10

Good points:: This camera has lots of features, we particularly like the colour accent setting. The picture quality is very good and easy to take good pictures.
Bad points:: The dials are a but fidly and the menus take a bit of working out, if you've had a canon before it only takes 10 minutes with the manual and you can see where all the more advanced settings are.

Ease of use	7.0
Image quality	9.0
Features	10.0
Build Quality	9.0
Value for money	8.0
Overall rating	9.0

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Confirmed purchase: 06 Aug 2009

Brian, Cramlington Experienced amateur

Score 10.0/10

Good points:: Image Quality above all, great build quality, excellent features
Bad points:: for a pocket camera - none

Ease of use	10.0
Image quality	10.0
Features	10.0
Build Quality	10.0
Value for money	10.0
Overall rating	10.0

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Confirmed purchase: 05 Aug 2009

Read all 59 customer reviews

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Product Features

Camera Type	Compact
There are 2 main types of camera: The SLR and the Compact. SLR stands for Single Lens Reflex. SLR cameras use a prism to reflect the exact image as seen through the lens and so offers a more accurate viewfinder. SLR cameras have detachable lenses offering greater flexibility if you wish to take a variety of different photographs. Compact cameras have a built in lens and an ‘above lens’ viewfinder which is less accurate but they are often cheaper, more sleekly designed and easier to carry anywhere with you to capture that moment perfectly without having to fiddle with complex settings or a bag full of lenses.
Resolution (Megapixels)	14.7

Optical zoom ratio	3.7
The amount by which the camera optics (lens) can bring the subject closer.
Screen size (Inches)	2.5
Screen size is measured diagonally from corner to corner.
Digital zoom ratio	4
Not to be confused with optical zoom, digital zoom enlarges a portion of the image thus simulating optical zoom. In doing so, some image quality is lost.
Type of image stabiliser	Yes
If a photo is taken at a slow shutter speed, or at a long focal length, the effects of ‘hand shake’ will be amplified. Some cameras come with built-in image stabilisation which is designed to act against this to produce sharper images. It’s great for low light shots without a tripod, like at a gig.
Touchscreen	No
Touchscreen technology allows you to move and click things directly on the screen using your finger or a stylus pen.
3D	No

Colour	Multi
The main colour of the product.
Colour	Silver
The main colour of the product.
Colour	Black
The main colour of the product.
Media format	SD Card
This is the type of storage that your digital camera or camcorder uses to save images to. The main types of card media format: Compact Flash Micro SD MMC (Multi Media Card) SD Card (Secure Digital) SDHC (Secure Disk High Capacity)
Media format	SDHC Card
This is the type of storage that your digital camera or camcorder uses to save images to. The main types of card media format: Compact Flash Micro SD MMC (Multi Media Card) SD Card (Secure Digital) SDHC (Secure Disk High Capacity)
Media format	MMC Card
This is the type of storage that your digital camera or camcorder uses to save images to. The main types of card media format: Compact Flash Micro SD MMC (Multi Media Card) SD Card (Secure Digital) SDHC (Secure Disk High Capacity)
PictBridge	Yes
An industry standard allowing images to be printed from camera to printer, without needing a computer. CIPA PictBridge Standard Website
Macro Mode	Yes
This mode allows close-up photograpy of small objects such as insects and flowers.
Video recorder	Yes
Video recording functionality allows the capture of videos in mpeg or avi format which is great if you want to capture a whole scene, not just one moment.
Manual Focus	Yes
Almost all modern cameras have autofocus. Manual focus allows you to override the autofocus and set the distance yourself. This is especially useful if your camera is struggling to focus in a low-light or confusing scene.
Timer	Yes

Weight (g)	160
The weight of the product in grams.
Flash	Yes
Whether or not your camera has an in-built flash. Flashes are essential for fully capturing a low light image.
WiFi	No
Wifi allows you to connect your device to wireless routers or modems which allows you to connect to broadband internet.
Shortest shutter speed (Fractions of a second)	1/1600
This is the fastest speed at which the camera can take a photo. Faster shutter speeds really freeze the action and are great for sports photography.
Longest shutter speed (Fractions of a second)	1/15
This is the longest exposure your camera will take. The longer you take a photo for, the more light is let in and the more motion is captured. Long shutter speeds can give fantastic, artistic results. Try photographing the night sky at 30s or longer to see how the rotation of the Earth causes the stars to curve through the scene.
Waterproof	No
If your camera is waterproof you will be able to film under water which is perfect for diving and snorkeling.
Viewfinder	Yes
USB port	Yes
Socket for connecting devices such as a computers and other components.
Dimensions (mm)	62.2x96.7x27.9
The size of the device in millimetres, in width x height x depth.
RAW Format	No
GPS Receiver	No

Resolution (Pixels)	4416 x 3312
A camera sensor, that captures the photograph, is measured in pixels. The number given here is the horizontal amount of pixels followed by the vertical quantity of pixels. The more pixels a camera sensor has, the bigger and higher quality the image will be.
Max. Aperture Lens 1	f2.8-5.8
Measured in f-stops the aperture of a lens dictates the maximum amount of light captured. If you want to do low light photography look for something with a wide aperture like f2.8. The widest aperture is given as a range as it changes when your lens is zoomed in.
Release date	2008-10-07
The date the product was originally made available for purchase.
Height in mm	6.2

Width in mm	96.7

Depth in mm	2.8

Serial Shot Mode	Yes
Bluetooth	No
Bluetooth is a technology for the wireless transfer of data such as contacts, photos and music between mobile phones, computers and a host of other Bluetooth enabled devices. Read more about Bluetooth on Wikipedia
Autofocus	Yes
Changeable Lens	No
Highest focal length (Millimetres)	133

Lowest focal length (Millimetres)	36

Also known as: Canon IXUS 980 IS, Digital Ixus 980IS, Digital Ixus 980 IS

Digital Cameras Buyers' Guide

Manufacturer's Description

The 14.7 MP Digital IXUS 980 IS blends technical excellence with a unique, stylish black or silver design. Powered by Canons latest DIGIC 4 processor, it combines advanced auto features with Manual control.

Features

14.7 MP Digital IXUS in black or silver
3.7x optical zoom, optical IS
Manual Control and 20 other modes
DIGIC 4
Face Detection Technology
Anti-blur Motion Detection Technology
i-Contrast
2.5 PureColor LCD II plus OVF
Multi Control Dial, My Menu
VGA movies

Exquisite Style. Exceptional Performance.

14.7 Megapixels
With an incredible 14.7 Megapixel sensor for stunning high-resolution shots, the Digital IXUS 980 IS provides abundant detail for huge prints and creative image manipulation.

High Style
The Digital IXUS 980 IS offers exquisite styling and a premium build quality, finished in a choice of two colours: black or silver.

Advanced optics
A high quality lens with 3.7x zoom ensures versatility and superb results when shooting both stills and movies. Canons renowned optical Image Stabilizer technology counteracts camera shake for outstanding image quality.

Take control
The first Digital IXUS with Manual Control, the Digital IXUS 980 IS allows shooting in more demanding conditions, or creative experimentation. A further 20 automatic modes include QuickShot, for extra-responsive shooting of fast moving objects or fleeting events.

DIGIC 4
Incorporating the latest in image processing technology, DIGIC 4 delivers extraordinary noise reduction. The result is richly detailed, clean images, even when shooting at high ISO speeds. DIGIC 4 also drives exceptional processing speeds and responsive operation.

Face Detection Technology
Great people shots are assured with the latest Face Detection AF/AE/FE/WB, even for faces on angles and far away. Face Select & Track optimises settings for a chosen person, while FaceSelf-Timer waits for you to enter the frame for great group shots. Auto Red-Eye Correction eliminates red eyes during shooting and playback.

Abolish blur
The Digital IXUS 980 IS combats blur with High ISO Auto and Motion Detection Technology, which ascertains movement of both camera and subject to set the optimum ISO. Servo AF tracks moving subjects to ensure they remain in focus.

Optimum contrast
i-Contrast boosts brightness in dark areas of an image. The result is improved contrast with retained detail in tricky lighting conditions.

Large LCD
The 2.5" PureColor LCD II offers exceptional contrast and colour rendition, plus a wide viewing angle for easier framing, playback and menu navigation even at angles and in bright sunlight. An optical viewfinder offers choice when framing shots.

Easy access
The Multi Control Dial provides fast, convenient and accurate access to menu items, functions and images during playback. Customise the menu system with My Menu for rapid access to the functions you use most.

Movies
Shoot spontaneous, high-quality 30fps VGA movies with sound.

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