The Chic Performer
With a lineage of ten successful years behind them, Canon has introduced yet another stylish addition to their IXUS series- the IXUS 1000HS.
A successor to the IXUS 300HS, the Canon IXUS 1000HS (also known as the SD4500 IS) features a 10-megapixel CMOS sensor and has been tagged as the world’s slimmest superzoom camera. Being the second IXUS to adopt the integrated HS system (combination of a high sensitivity sensor and a high speed/high performance imaging processor), Canon claim to provide exceptional image quality, improved noise control and high speed shooting.
DESIGN AND BUILD QUALITY
The IXUS 1000HS is stylishly designed, with a precisely crafted body. The build quality appears to be sturdy. The chassis is composed of part metal and part engineering plastic. Two independent chambers have been alloted to the battery and card. Both chamber doors are made of plastic and appear strong. The tripod mount is made of plastic as well, and is placed in close proximity to the battery chamber.
The two segmented lens barrel extends just 2 centimeters when switched ‘on’, and does not protrude out of the body when switched off, which is quite impressive for a superzoom lens.
KEY FEATURES
The Canon IXUS 1000HS is a 10-megapixel camera that sports a 1/ 2.3-inch Type (6.16 x 4.62 mm) back illuminated CMOS sensor and a DIGIC 4 processor for optimum quality images. With optical image stabilization and a 10x superzoom, the lens offers a focal length of 36-360 mm equivalent. The lens has an aperture of f/3.4-f/7.1 at the wide-angle end, and at the telephoto end it ranges from f/5.6-f/9. In normal mode the lens focuses from 1cm to infinity at the wide-angle end, and from 1m to infinity at the telephoto end. In macro mode, it focuses from 1 cm – 50 cm at the wide-angle end. Shutter speeds range from 15-1/4000 seconds. Exposures can be compensated upto +/- 2EV in 1/3 step increments. The maximum and minimum ISO sensitivity offered by the 1000HS is 3200 and 125 respectively.
The HS system delivers high-speed capturing of up to 3.7 shots/sec. at full 10MP resolution (in Program mode) and 8.8 shots/sec at 2.5MP resolution in High Speed burst mode. An added option is the Best Image Selection, that allows the user to let the camera choose the best frame out of five 2.5 MP images.
Two AF modes are provided – Single and Servo AF/AE. With TTL metering, the 1000HS provides Face/Smile Detection and 9 point AiAF (Artificial Intelligence AutoFocus). White Balance options are Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash and Custom. The camera provides lens-shift Image Stabilization. The slim built-in flash has a range of 30cm – 3.5 m (W) / 1.0 cm – 2.0 m (T)
The available shooting modes are Auto, Program, Portrait, Kids and Pets, Smart Shutter, High-Speed Burst, Best Image Selection, Handheld Night Scene, Low Light, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Color Accent, Color Swap, Fish-eye effect, Miniature Effect, Long Shutter, Snow, Beach, Foliage, Stitch Assist, and Movie.
The IXUS1000HS features a 3-inch PureColor II G, 230,000 dot color display. The full HD video recording at 1920x1080p with stereo sound, extends the performance, making the video experience of the 1000HS one the best in Canon’s compact range. An addition to this is the Super Slow Motion mode which captures video at 240fps. Optical zoom can be applied while recording. Camera shake while recording videos are reduced to a great extent, owing to the Dynamic Image Stabilizer. Videos can be transferred or viewed via the HDMI mini port on any HDMI compatible screen. You can print your images using a PictBridge compliant printer. Still images are recorded in JPEG format, while movies are recorded in MOV format.
For still images, the resolutions are 3648×2736 pixels (Large, 10 megapixels), 2816×2112 pixels (Medium1, 6 megapixels), 1600×1200 pixels (Medium2, 2 megapixels), 640×480 pixels (Small, 0.3 megapixels) and 3648×2048 pixels for wide-screen images. SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus memory cards can be used to store images and videos. Weighing 190g, the camera is powered by a redesigned, slim rechargeable Li-ion NB-9L battery, different from the ones used in other Canon compacts. The camera dimensions are 101x59x22 mm.
ERGONOMICS
The Canon IXUS 1000HS is lightweight, given that it is a 10x superzoom camera. Since no hand grip is provided, the camera may feel a bit slippery. The buttons can be accessed easily. On the top, you have the Mode switch (Video, Images, Auto), the On/Off button, and the shutter release button with the zoom lever, and the speaker all in a row. The Control dial performance is smooth – in fact you could inadvertently turn the dial while using the camera. Apart from a few options, it can be rotated to select items, or handled like a normal joystick. The menus are organized, and offers tips to beginners when they select specific settings. The LCD is bright and clear.
PERFORMANCE
The Canon IXUS 1000HS produced reasonably sharp and contrasty images with natural looking colors.
The lens-shift type shake reduction improved the overall sharpness in hand-held photos, though we could not ascertain the number of stops of advantage it provided. Darkening of corners was observed at the widest focal length (36mm equivalent), at the widest aperture. Lens flare was noticed in against-the-light images, whilst it was quite difficult to notice any chromatic aberration, which is a good. Barrel distortion occurred in varying degrees throughout the focal range. Macro performance was decent. The built-in flash also appeared adequately powered. On the White Balance front, the IXUS faired acceptably well. Auto White Balance (Cloudy and Daylight), and Preset White Balance (Daylight and Incandescent) reproduced good colors. A slight red cast was observed when the camera was set to White Balance Cloudy. Digital noise was handled fairly. But, in comparison with the other compacts from the Canon family, the noise control in the IXUS 1000HS is a bit of a letdown. The native image size of the 1000HS is 9.12×12.16 inches at 300ppi. The sensitivity of the camera ranges from ISO 125 to ISO 3200. At 12.5 percent screen size, we observed no discernible noise up to ISO 800. ISO 1600 and 3200 showed some softening, which is possibly because of noise reduction kicking in. At 25 percent, very little noise, which is passable, was noticed at ISO 400 and 800. At 50 percent screen size, noise was evident even at the base ISO of 125. But, this again is acceptable up to ISO 400, whereas ISO 1600 and 3200 appeared to be noisy.
VALUE FOR MONEY
The Canon IXUS 1000HS retails at a Recommended Retail Price of Rs. 25,995. Considering the overall performance of the camera, we consider this to fall between fair to slightly high priced.
+ Good built quality
+ Good control over White Balance
– No thumb grip
– Printed User-Manual not provided. Box includes only a ‘Getting Started Guide’
FINAL SCORE
Design and Build Quality 16/20
Key Features 16/20
Ergonomics 16/20
Performance
Autofocus 4/5
Distortion/Sharpness 3/5
Noise Control 3/5
Aberrations 4/5
AWB 4/5 Extra Features 4/5
Sub-Total 22/30
Value for Money 7/10
Grand Total 77/100
Verdict
The Canon IXUS 1000HS is a dainty pocketable compact with a good overall performance. It is perfect in assuming the role of a traveling companion. Definitely recommended!
Aswathi Nair
