Canon IXUS 130: specifications, reviews

Pocket digital cameras, whose representative is Canon IXUS 130, are similar, like two drops of water. Is this model different? Firstly, it looks as stylish as the entire IXUS range of compacts. Also very attractive is the price. With a colossal drop in the cost from the original 279 to 120 pounds, the camera will not make the wallet much easier, even if its width and height are almost the same as the size of the credit card. In this respect, it differs favorably from Nikon Coolpix S5100 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T99.

Canon IXUS 130: Specifications

At a weight of only 133 g with installed batteries and a memory card, the model will remain invisible in the pocket of the jeans. As you would expect from the IXUS line, which is distinguished by style and great functionality, the build quality is high, in several colors: silver, black, orange and pink. The camera is small, but, according to the owners, it lies firmly in the palm of your hand. The metal case gives the impression that the model can easily withstand daily use, while most cameras cost up to 100 pounds are made of plastic. Fans of underwater photography can purchase the case WP-DC37, although at a price of just under £ 200 it's better to buy a specialized camera.

Except for the lack of a touch screen and 3D shooting, the camera has most of the required functionality. The resolution of 14.1 megapixel provides a relatively small 1 / 2.3-inch image sensor, and the 4x optical Canon IXUS 130 lens hardly makes it possible to classify the camera as a super-model, although it offers a very popular range of focal lengths needed for everyday Shooting, equal to the equivalent of 28-112 mm.

Another feature of Canon is the availability of a fast DIGIC 4 processor with anti-blur optical image stabilization and Smart Auto scene detection mode. Canon Digital IXUS 130 selects one of 22 presets, which allows you to take a picture with minimal effort. The iContrast option can also be used for more detail contrast frames, although in practice its results are not so pronounced.

Functionality

Conducting an object, which is now a function of digital compacts, additionally includes support for correct focusing and exposure. The optical image stabilizer helps to resist any external fluctuations and resulting camera shake, while motion detection technology will automatically adjust the ISO to further prevent blur. In addition, the functions of face recognition and automatic detection and correction of red eyes are provided. Simultaneously, up to 35 faces can be identified in one frame, and the shutter can be released with a smile or a wink, which is useful when shooting a selfie.

In the small body of the camera there is much more hidden than it might seem. The only drawback of the Canon IXUS 130 owner reviews is the lack of full manual control. Regardless of the size and the intended range of camera users, it is always a pleasure to have this opportunity.

Design

Rounded edges, a small 17.8 mm depth, thanks to which the Canon IXUS 130 camera is one of the thinnest models of the line, plus a stylish matte case suggest something special, although in combination these elements make it difficult to securely capture the camera. The camera is smooth, like river pebbles.

The model was presented simultaneously with the camera IXUS 105 and in many respects it is similar. The controls are implemented simply, but unobtrusively. Photos and video clips can be viewed on a 2.7 "screen with a resolution of 270 thousand pixels, which also replaces the missing optical viewfinder. The display works quite adequately under various conditions of external illumination.

To maintain a minimalist appearance, the function buttons are flush with the surface of the case, except for the narrow zoom on the top of the camera, which protrudes just enough to control the tip of the finger. Also slightly raised the slide switch of the three shooting modes on the rear panel: automatic, software or video recording. The latter allows you to shoot at a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels with a stereo recording through the built-in microphone. External, unfortunately, can not be connected. This is not much, but better than the 640 x 480 points of the 105th model.

Settings menu

Pressing the Func set button opens access to a variety of image settings presented in the toolbar on the left side of the screen. In automatic mode, the user is limited to changing the frame size and the amount of compression. The extended toolbar includes manual adjustment of the white balance, ISO sensitivity (up to modest ISO 1600), color settings (bright, neutral and extended options), the number of images (one or series) and exposure metering options (estimated, center-weighted or spot). In addition, you can go to alternative shooting options, such as optimized scene settings for capturing portraits, children and pets, etc., as well as to a dedicated low light mode (with a resolution reduction of up to 3 megapixels to limit image noise), various Variants of color accents and digital filters.

Connectivity and configuration

According to the owners, it would be nice to have a special button that would allow you to start recording video regardless of the currently selected mode. But the presence of a hidden under the plastic cap in the upper right corner of the rear panel of the HDMI port, designed to connect the camera to the TV, was a surprise. Cables for standard AV-out and USB 2.0 port are included in the camera kit. Also, a strap is provided to carry the camera on the wrist, the network charger and the network adapter.

Speed

After pressing the tiny switch on the top panel of Canon IXUS 130 the camera is activated for about 1 s, which is not inferior to the characteristics of analogues. The lens comes out of the folded state flush with the body at the position of the widest wide angle and the rear screen lights up with a nice audible signal.

Half-pressing the shutter release button provides near-instantaneous focus. AF points are highlighted in green, and a confirmation tone sounds to make a picture. After fully pressing the camera, it takes 2-3 seconds to record a JPEG image to a memory card. In this case, the screen briefly goes out, and then comes to life again, demonstrating the shot frame for 1-2 seconds. Although the result is not the fastest, it is average for cameras of this class.

Data storage

Without internal memory, Canon IXUS 130 allows you to record images on SD-media and is compatible with all modern formats, including SDXC. Access to the slot opens through the cover in the base of the camera, where there is also a thin lithium-ion battery. Open and close the compartment can be a sliding motion of the thumb.

Creative potential

According to users, they are pleased that the manufacturer has found the opportunity to provide the camera with several digital filters, including a miniature mode that narrows the focus range, creating the illusion that large objects look like toy. This effect also increases the saturation of the color almost to the level of pop art, which makes subjects even more toy. "Fisheye" is useful for those who want to creatively distort the shape of the subject.

Photosensitivity

In low light conditions, when the built-in flash is turned off and only the available light is used, the camera pleasantly surprises with the camera's performance at a sensitivity above ISO 400, since no noise is up to ISO 800, and then it becomes barely noticeable. At ISO 1600, the clarity of the image begins to fall, but unlike the cheaper models, the result still resembles a photo, rather than a watercolor, so in a critical situation, this setting can still be used.

Compact cameras shoot well when there is a lot of light. But even in a gray winter sky, the Canon Digital IXUS 130 allows you to save enough detail. The quality of wide-angle shooting is higher than with 4x optical zoom, but this should be considered in context. The model is distinguished by the style and quality of the pictures, and the latter is given more attention. A little disappointing is the inaccessibility of the optical zoom during video recording, which is probably done in order not to record the mechanical noise of the lens. In this case, the increase is made programmatically.

Conclusion

The quality of assembly and finishing of the model belong to a higher price category than the Canon IXUS 130 itself, which makes the camera an advantageous acquisition. Its compact size users with large hands can find it too small for easy shooting, but in any case it is an impressive achievement of engineering thought. The base camera is not designed for professionals. Nevertheless, it allows you to get more than acceptable results, and is quite versatile for most everyday everyday pictures. The camera serves as a good example of what a telephone camera should look like in order to represent a truly viable alternative.