CANON IXUS 700 REVIEW

If there was a fault with my old ixus 500, it was that compared with new things on the market it was starting to look a wee bit bulky. The 500 is just the wrong side of being big enough that you have to make a concious decision to take it out. Yes it was 'pocket' size, but only with the bulge. Some other cameras, notably from pentax but especially casio were starting to offer much the same features for the same price or less in far sleeker form. Cannon have reacted well. The ixus 700 is noticably smaller than the 500 it replaces. It is true to say that the new casio's are still slimmer, however you get the extra mega-pixels with this one if either massive prints or offline digital zooming are your thing.

The major change that any other upgraders will notice is the shift to the SD Card format. This was an obvious way to cut out some of the bulk. It causes no trauma - SD cards, if bought online, can be picked up at a whole gig for about 60 pounds. You will need the larger storage if you are going to take pictures with the full size settings.

The screen is large and clear (though I worry about scratching - you will want a case!), the interface is simplicity itself. You will get stunning results from the point-and-shoot auto mode. If you take the trouble to read the manual, there is a wealth of features for those more serious about photography. I can imagine this as the first choice for serious photographers who live in fear of being without kit and want the comfort of a backup 'take everywhere' pocket camera 'just in case'.

The other really neat feature is the video mode. This is a step forward from the last version. You can now zoom in and out while shooting movies. If, like me, you only take video occasionally, then why pay for and carry the extra? - this does that job fine! I have downloaded my footage, used a standard video editing suite and had it playing perfectly crisp on my 42 inch home screen.

The only slight word of caution I would have for anyone is that I have had problems with both my previous ixus (both times just after warranty expired!). Both times the cost of repair has been prohibitive (hence the upgrades!). You may wish to research if alternative manufacturers have better records with much loved, overused cameras! Despite these problems, which are to some extent due to a lack of care by me, the working cameras have been so wonderful I have chosen stick with Canon. Let's hope this one lasts longer...

If you have bought an ixus before then you know what you are getting and will not be dissapointed. If you haven't had one before, then look at this and the top of the range offerings from Pentax and Casio. The choice on style is a matter of taste - in terms of output I cannot fault this canon.