Review: Canon IXUS 150

3:06 am | September 16, 2014

Author: admin | Category: Cameras | Comments: None

Introduction

Available in silver or red, with 8x optical zoom (plus up to 32x digital zoom), a 16 million pixel sensor and Canon’s Digic 4+ processor, the Canon IXUS 150 is a pretty well equipped compact camera.

The Canon IXUS 150 was added as part of a trio of new IXUS cameras announced early in 2014, sitting between the higher spec Canon IXUS 155 and cheaper Canon IXUS 145.

Canon has chosen to only include a basic set of functions for the novice user, although the IXUS 150 has a few art filters too (Monochrome, Toy Camera and Miniature, for example) for users who are interested in experimenting. There are also a couple of manually adjustable options (such as exposure compensation and white balance), which can be changed when shooting in Program mode.

You can shoot HD video with the Canon IXUS 150, and it comes with Eco mode to help reduce battery consumption, by turning off the screen when it’s not in use to save power.

Canon IXUS 150 review

As with most compacts in this price range, the IXUS 150 is aimed especially at the novice market. It has a few nice features for unfamiliar users – such as Live Mode (which enables users to see the effect of settings changes in real time), and the on-device help button, which explains settings and functions. Combined, these help to guide people from shooting in full Auto mode to being confident with changing settings.

Intelligent Image Stabilisation is available on the IXUS 150 to help users get sharper images when shooting in low light. It also comes equipped with some scene modes, including portrait, snow and fireworks, plus a Long Shutter setting (allowing people to open the shutter for as long as 15 seconds) to better capture detail in darker situations.

Canon IXUS 150 review

The Canon IXUS 150 is competing with cameras like the Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 and the Nikon Coolpix S3600 – both of which cost a little more but do have extra features to compensate.

Amateur and casual digital camera users should feel at home with the IXUS 150 and its easy to use system, while slightly more advanced users should enjoy the control they can take over their shots with the manual settings.

Build quality and handling

Canon has opted not to include a touchscreen with this model, but the IXUS 150 still comes with a 2.7-inch LCD screen that’s large and clear. It’s also loaded with Canon’s easy to use menu system, which should be a doddle for new and returning users alike. While the bevelled edge on the screen does feel a bit dated, the exterior of the camera itself looks polished and stylish, with some nice chrome detailing picked out on the lens and top edge.

As with a lot of the IXUS range, the Canon 150 doesn’t have an obvious handgrip, but it’s still pretty easy to hold despite this and it’s lightweight and slim even with the battery inserted. It’s got solid and stable housing, with a nice spring on the battery door.

Canon IXUS 150 review

With a nice set of large buttons that are all accessible even when holding the camera one-handed, it’s easy to change settings on the IXUS 150. Most are accessed via the FUNC/SET button in the middle, with options like mode select, Eco Mode, Flash and Display on the four-way control pad surrounding it.

Power, shutter and zoom controls are found on the top of the 150, while the flash is kept out of the way of any fingers that might accidentally end up in front of it.

Canon IXUS 150 review

Previous IXUS users might notice that settings like timer, exposure compensation and macro are now found under the on-screen menu instead of the control pad. This makes them a bit more time consuming to access, as you’ve got to go through a couple of menus before you get to them.

You’ll find a help button on the back of the Canon IXUS 150 – it offers clear and concise tips and information about the screen you’re on.

Performance and verdict

With quick focus and processing speeds, the Canon IXUS 150 feels slick and pleasant to use, with no waiting around for the screen to clear before you can take another photo. Colours produced on-screen and in the final images are representative and true to life, with vibrant and bright hues.

For the most part the Canon 150 creates well balanced exposures and meters correctly. Any under- or over-exposure that occurs can be controlled easily with the exposure compensation setting.

Canon IXUS 150 review

As usual with the IXUS range we were impressed with the macro mode, which works really well, allowing you to get pretty close to your subjects and capture fine details.

There are seven white balance modes on the Canon IXUS 150, but I found that the auto white balance did a decent job at judging most scenes, especially when outdoors. Images came out a little cooler when shooting indoors, but that was easily fixed by switching to one of the three indoor lighting modes, or the custom white balance option, when appropriate.

Canon IXUS 150 review

Sensitivity on the IXUS 150 ranges from ISO 100-3200 (although it’s only manually adjustable up to ISO 1600). There’s significant noise at ISO 1600 and above when viewing the images at normal printing size, but shooting in good light at ISO 800 or below should keep it to a minimum unless you’re viewing the images at 100%. For trickier lighting situations the camera does show some levels of noise at ISO 400, but it’s still a pretty decent performance.

Coming with the standard IXUS set of filters, the Canon IXUS 150 renders them well, with Toy Camera and Vivid producing especially interesting images. There are no options for post-processing in the camera, but it does show a preview before you shoot with the art filters, which makes it relatively easy to pick the one you want.

Canon IXUS 150 review

The Canon IXUS 150 produces no noticeable distortion or fringing. The small amount of chromatic aberration found on some images when viewed at 100% isn’t likely to be something that would be noticeable when printing at A4 size or below.

Optical zoom performance from the compact is pretty good, with the Optical IS keeping the screen steady while you compose your shot. ZoomPlus digital zoom takes this up to 16x and a Combined digital zoom can reach up to 32x, but it’s pretty noisy at its full range, and works best when shooting at 16x or below.

Verdict

I’m pretty impressed with the Canon IXUS 150 – for the price point, you definitely get a reasonable amount for your money. With Canon’s track record of developing quality compacts, the 150 slots neatly into the IXUS range, offering the option of a budget camera without loss of quality in images.

For people who are new to digital cameras, the Canon IXUS 150 should be a good introduction – it’s easy to use while still producing great photos and allowing a little room for creativity.

People looking for a few extra features should consider the Nikon Coolpix S3600 – which costs slightly more but comes with 20 million pixels and the ability to retouch on camera. Alternatively, the Panasonic DMC-SZ8 offers 12x optical zoom, Wi-Fi capabilities and a bigger LCD screen.

We liked

As always, the IXUS range has produced another quality compact, allowing users to experiment while still producing impressive images. Durable, lightweight and with decent battery life, the Canon IXUS 150 is a pretty good pocket-sized camera.

We disliked

It would have been good to see a larger screen on the compact camera, as the bevelled edges do make it feel a little small. We’d also like to see a few more fun art filters, and innovative options like social media integration.

Final verdict

A great camera for a novice user, the Canon IXUS 150 is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a relatively inexpensive camera that can still produce quality images. There are enough functions to keep most people happy, while the on-screen help system will enable new users to navigate their way around the camera with ease.