Canon Ixus 255 HS in the test

It is amazing how Canon is always able to pack very different camera models in a practically identical housing, which is also handy and looks fine. The Canon Ixus 255 HS is no exception. With a size of 97 x 57 x 23 mm and a weight of around 134 grams, the digital camera is a few millimeters larger and 12 grams heavier than the small siblings, but in practice this is completely negligible. It remains in the shirt pocket format and is predestined to be there.


Menu with thought-out structure


The controls and operation of the Canon Ixus 255 HS are in accordance with the Ixus standard: the menu with its simple structure also allows the less experienced photographer to make the settings without problems. The func. Set button in the middle of the four-way button provides quick access to settings that need to be changed more frequently. The main menu behind the menu button is divided into two areas and is responsible for the basic settings of the compact camera.


Large pixels - good performance


The 3.0 inch display of the Canon Ixus 255 HS has 153,000 RGB pixels and is good in normal light conditions. The adjustment to particularly bright or dark ambient light, however, hardly succeeds, although the display brightness can be adjusted in five steps. The graduation is too small to adapt the display to different shooting situations. Otherwise the camera is well processed.


Test Conclusion


The focal length of the lens ranges from 24 to 240 mm (KB) and is thus quite close to an ideal solution. 24 millimeters are great, if one even in cramped conditions in the apartment or on the street still something more than usual with the picture. And with 240 millimeters, the Canon Ixus 255 HS has enough air even in the telephoto range. The relatively low light intensity (3.0 at the short focal length, 6.9 at the long) is the price to pay for the combination of large focal range and compact design.


The jewelry of the Canon Ixus 255 HS is bent inside: a 12-megapixel CMOS sensor. Thanks to the reduced resolution, each individual pixel is significantly larger than the 16 or 18 megapixel sensors. "The advanced DIGIC 5 processor and the high-sensitivity 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor combine to provide a convincing image quality in all situations," says Canon on the website.


Of course you can not create any SLR claims here, but for a 1 / 2.3 inch sensor the pictures of the Canon Ixus 255 HS can really be seen. The center resolution at the wide angle at ISO 100 is just below 1,500 LB / PH and decreases as expected with increasing sensitivity. The edge drop is over all ISO steps with strong 400-450 LB / PH. Visual assessment reveals a balanced vote. Grass and stones are accentuated, the faces of our models are natural and detailed. The autofocus reacts fast enough for snapshots.


Buying advice: The best compact cameras up to 200 euros


With its practical 10x zoom and the good 12 megapixel sensor, the Canon Ixus 255HS is the right choice for those who want to photograph without compromise and still expect usable pictures. Buytipp Beginner.


Canon Ixus 255HS