Canon IXUS 220 HS review

Canon IXUS 220 HS: The little camera with a lot of features

Canon’s IXUS 220 HS is one of the latest compact cameras to boast the company’s HS system.  Combining a high-sensitivity sensor with the Digic4 image processor, the system aims to capture better-quality images in low-light scenarios.

This is certainly an area that many manufacturers are currently focusing their attentions on, with more emphasis on ISO sensitivity and less on megapixel count or optical zoom range. What Canon does differently is try to make taking better quality images easier to understand and, ultimately, easier to shoot.

Alongside the HS System, Canon does this by incorporating a mammoth 32 scene modes on board the IXUS 220 compact camera. Shooting modes are left simple. Using the switch on the rear of the camera, users can choose either Auto – which determines what scene mode to use for optimum settings – or scene, where you can choose to shoot in Program, or select one of the 32 scenes.

In Program, photographers can alter a number of key settings, including drive mode, metering, white balance, ISO sensitivity and aspect ratio. There are no manual settings for aperture or shutter speed, but by choosing the right scene mode – macro or long shutter, for example – you can manipulate these aspects anyway.

In full Auto mode we were pleased to find subject tracking, enabling even beginners to keep pace with fast-moving subjects like children or pets.

The grid display lines that users can switch on or off were also very useful for helping compose images with the rule of thirds in mind.

Most photographers will agree that the IXUS 220 IS is very intuitive to use, even newcomers to photography or to the Canon system. Menu systems are kept to two main subsections, and these are kept relatively streamlined and clearly labelled. The simplistic shooting style means that most functions can be altered via the d-pad and various buttons on the back of the camera, without any need to go into the menu after your initial setup – a great move for a camera aimed at beginners.

Most advanced users might lament the loss of a full manual mode, but what they will celebrate is the creativity that can be unleashed. As well as full HD movies, the Canon also offers features like Super Slow Motion Movie and Movie Digest, which takes a short video clip with every shot to create a video diary of a day’s shoot, all inside a camera that comfortably fits inside your back pocket.

There are also plenty of creative modes for stills, with Fish Eye, Miniature and Pin Hole being some of our favourites.

Hundreds of new models have entered the market since the start of 2011, and manufacturers need to create compacts that will stand out from the crowd. At £200, the Canon IXUS 220 HS sits in the middle in terms of budget – but in terms of value for money, you won’t find many cameras offering as much for the beginner.

Full 1080p HD movies, 32 scene modes and an in-camera guide mode that flashes up short descriptions of each shooting, playback or movie setting – and those are just the headline features. Add the potential to take some great-quality images with punchy colours, very little noise and a top-quality ability to handle high dynamic range situations, and you have a camera that should be top of your shopping list.