Introduced along with models 165 and 170, CanonThe IXUS 160 is located in the middle of the ultra-slim and stylish IXUS cameras. It boasts a 20-megapixel 1 / 2.3 "CCD sensor and an 8x optical zoom lens at the equivalent of focal lengths of 28 to 224 mm, albeit without proper image stabilization. The camera is capable of recording 720p HD video and has 6 creative filters that will help to revive a nondescript snapshot. Other useful features, such as blink detection and an automatic timer, will provide quality photos of friends and family members. The camera is available in silver, black, white and red and costs $ 120.
Easy to use
Canon IXUS 160 is identical to the 165th model, forexcept for the image stabilization system, which saves about $ 35. At the same time, the situation seems strange when the IXUS 155 costs less, but it has stabilization, and the 10x optical zoom is even more than 8x in the IXUS 160.
The company's dimensions are IXUS 95.2 x 54.3 x 22.1 mmmake the camera small enough that it fits in the pocket of the jeans, and 127 grams of weight means that it will never become a burden. Part of this can be attributed to the plastic case, but it is well assembled and does not bend. There is a metallic fixing of the tripod, which is nice, even if such a camera is unlikely to spend much time in a fixed state. It is a pity that the gloss is short-lived, as it easily scratches, which is especially noticeable in the red version. The smooth surface makes the camera quite slippery, and this is exacerbated by the lack of grip areas on the front or back of the camera, except for the projection around the LCD screen.
Display
The screen itself is bright enough, even under directsun rays, and color rendition is also not bad, but only if you look at the display at a right angle. The slope is limited, since the color and contrast vary considerably. The problem is not that big, but it spoils the general impression, especially if the user expects improvement in comparison with the camera of his smartphone. The average resolution of the phone also gives odds to the pathetic 230 thousand pixels of the Canon IXUS 160 screen, although this is a typical phenomenon for cheap compact cameras.
Control Panel
Near the screen there are several buttons, the sizewhich does not require sharpening nails for their use. These are the standard playback, video and menu call buttons, as well as a question mark button that calls up the help menu, where during the shooting a description of the type of scene detected in automatic mode will be given. The user will probably want to take a picture quickly, rather than worry about what the camera is busy with, but the help system is more useful for playback. Here you can get help with navigation, zoom and rotate images and many more useful tips that will make learning more intuitive.
Canon IXUS 160: Overview of Operation Modes
In the center of the control panel is locatedThe navigation wheel, inside which is the Func / Set button. It provides access to basic shooting parameters that have been separated from the rest of the underutilized settings contained in the main menu. In automatic mode, pressing the Set button saves the self-timer settings (including user mode, which allows you to preset your own delay time, as well as the number of pictures), single or continuous shooting (at 0.8 fps), image size and video resolution (HD or VGA).
When you start on top of the navigation wheel CanonThe IXUS 160 Black switches from automatic to the last used alternative mode. In this case, Func / Set includes additional options for metering (estimated, weighted average or spot), white balance (including custom setting), ISO sensitivity, exposure compensation, and depth of field. The Func / Set menu also sets shooting modes other than automatic, including screen-based control that allows you to change the tone of the image and the timer automatically triggered when a face is detected. Low illumination limits the frame capture mode to 5 megapixels, reducing noise in photos taken with high sensitivity. And, finally, you can change the shutter release settings if you want to take night shots at low ISO sensitivity and the presence of a tripod.
It is a pity that Canon decided to hidemost modes and art effects in the Func / Set menu, when other producers have a separate button for this. However, it's great that you can customize the shooting settings to get the most out of the camera and develop your skills.
Among other parameters controllednavigation wheel, includes flash settings, playback and display of screen information, such as an image histogram. Finally, the Canon IXUS 160 is equipped with the Eco system, which allows you to extend battery life thanks to energy-saving measures, such as faster screen shutdown. It increases battery life from 220 to 300 shots.
Focusing
Canon IXUS 160 allows you to take pictures every 1.7from. This is partly due to the fast focusing speed of the camera, which is almost instantaneous in good lighting and not too slow in low light conditions. In dim lighting AF can get confused in the search for a target.
But the most uncomfortable of the Canon IXUS 160 reviewsusers call autofocus when shooting close-up. The camera's minimum focusing distance is 5 cm, but only when the lens is at the widest angle. If you increase it even slightly, you will have to retreat by half a meter, so that the camera will focus again, and a small increase in the zoom will require a much larger distance. This is a typical feature of compact devices, but it seems that the ability of the IXUS 160 to focus on nearby objects is inferior to its rivals. AF is particularly annoying when the photographer, trying to avoid hitting the shadow on the subject, is too close to the camera, and also when trying to use a larger focal length to create an attractive blurry background with shallow depth of field.
Conclusion
Budget compact cameras are rareare characterized by high performance and innovative features, but the Canon IXUS 160 user reviews are called even duller than the gray majority. In addition to a lot of manual settings and a few really useful features, the camera is not noticeable.
Image quality is average at best.satisfactory only in good light, but disappointing in the room and with a lack of light. Lack of normal stabilization only exacerbates the problem, and AF can become painful when taking close-up shots. The buttons are quite large, and the menu structure is logical, but you have to put up with a slippery surface and a mediocre LCD screen.
But the biggest problem of the camera is itsprice Of course, $ 120 is inexpensive, but even the outdated IXUS 155 can be purchased for the same amount and get a 10x zoom with image stabilization. The Nikon Coolpix S3700 rival camera also has a stabilized lens plus Wi-Fi and photo sharing using NFC technology.
Overall, the Canon IXUS 160 does its jobgood enough and easy to use, but not enough to become more attractive than its direct competitors and the older model with better performance.
