Canon Digital IXUS 80 IS

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Features

Canon doesn't include manual exposure controls in its Digital IXUS line, but you will find an ample array of preset scene modes and some features that make automatic shooting simpler. As with a lot of compact cameras, the IXUS 80 IS includes face detection. This year, Canon has extended this function to let it set not only focus and exposure, but also flash output and white balance, so the camera should be less likely to blow out the details on your friend's face with the flash and should be better able to keep skin tones neutral in varied light sources. To help combat confusion when setting ISO, the IXUS 80 IS includes Motion Detection Technology, which raises the ISO setting if there is a moving subject when you have the camera set to High ISO Auto mode. By raising the ISO, the camera can shoot at a faster shutter speed to freeze the action.

Some people might find the 2.5-inch LCD a tad small.
(click for larger image)

While some cameras have been switching to wider-angle lenses, Canon includes a 38-114mm equivalent F2.8-4.9 3X optical zoom lens in the IXUS 80 IS in contrast to last year's 35-105mm lens. The change in focal lengths doesn't make for much of an effective difference, though we did notice more distortion at the IXUS 80's 38mm setting than we did at the IXUS 70's 35mm setting. Canon did add optical image stabilization, however, which should help if you often shoot stationary objects in low light. Since the lens isn't all that wide, you might find the optical viewfinder helpful to bring the camera a bit further back when trying to frame a shot, or in situations where you don't want to have the bright LCD turned on.

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