Overview
The Canon IXUS 960 IS is a 12 megapixel camera with a 3.7x optical zoom lens. The body of the camera is made from titanium. Among the main attractions of the IXUS 960 IS are the style of the camera and its overall build quality. It is on the large side to slip into a pocket, but it is still a relatively compact digital camera. Other headline features include a viewfinder, image stabilisation and face detection software.
Main Features
Megapixels:
Zoom:
LCD Screen:
Dimensions:
Weight:
12
3.7x
2.5 inches
95.9 x 59.9 x 27.6mm
165g
Macro:
HD Movies:
Manual Controls:
Batteries:
Memory Cards:
5cm
No
No
Lithium ion
SD/SDHC
Image Quality - See Sample Images Below
Outdoor Scenic Shots in Good Light
Looking at the building in the centre of the photo focusing photo is some way above average. Focusing is a very important factor in a photo for me, so this is a major plus point.
There is a noticeable downside though and that is the way the IXUS 960 IS handles the glare from the sun. In fairness a lot of cameras are struggling with this test shot at this time of the year, but the level of detail lost where the sun falls is higher than I would like to have seen.
With sun reflection out of the way the IXUS 960 IS has no real problems when the lens is not zoomed in. With focusing levels above average once again and plenty of colour in the shot I am very happy with this effort.
Again focusing is above average, especially when you consider the camera has a lens only slightly longer than standard, making many objects somewhat distant in the shot.
Portraits
With face detection focusing turned on the IXUS 960 IS is able to produce a photo that accentuates the face and produces a crisp photo. I like the colour in the shot as well.
This is a relatively new test and I think I am asking too much of the cameras with it. There is not enough light for the camera to produce a sharp focus and this only goes to illustrate the importance of plenty of light when you are taking a photo without flash.
With the flash turned on the ICUS 960 IS is once again able to produce a top quality indoor portrait. I like the fact that the flash has not swamped the colours and focusing is back on track. There was red eye in my original photo. This gave me a chance to test out the built in red eye repair software. It has done a good job and eradicated more or less all red eye.
Macro, Colours and Noise
Once again the camera manages to produce a shot that is some way above average in quality. The ability of the camera to focus sharply in a variety of different situations is demonstrated here.
Strong colours are prevalent throughout all the tests. Despite this strength the colours manage to retain a natural feel to them.
Although noise does begin to creep in at this level the quality of the photo is still someway above average.
Once the ISO levels are pushed up further any quality soon disappears and I would suggest keeping ISO to 400 and below.
Summary
Apart from the problems with sun glare the IXUS 960 IS is on par with or above almost all its competitors when it comes to picture quality. Focusing, colour and lighting are key components of good photos and this camera scores strongly on all counts.
Style
A rounded end and titanium body colour help to stop the IXUS 960 IS from looking like an identikit digital camera. As with other digital cameras in the IXUS range I like the plain design around the lens.
Shutter Lag Times
Single Shot
Five Shots
Single Shot With Flash
Five Shots With Flash
0.45 seconds
10.29 seconds
2.2 seconds
17.67 seconds
Ease of Use
I have never found Canon digital cameras the easiest brand to use. So be prepared to spend a little extra time getting to know the camera and the features it offers. If you are planning to use only the most basic features then you should not have any untoward problems.
Points I Like
Sharpness of photo - build quality and design - red eye correction tool - clear LCD screen
Where it Could Improve
Sun glare - shutter lag
Verdict
The Canon IXUS 960 IS is another excellent camera in the IXUS range. Picture quality is up there with the best, while the camera is also a winner based on design and build quality. The downside is found in the shutter delay times and I would say these could be a worry, especially if you are planning to take photos of moving subjects.
Product Shots
Front View
Back View
Top View
Sample Menus
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Pentax Optio i-10 Rating 79/100
The Optio i-10 looks radically different to other digital cameras. It has a design based on vintage SLRs. In my tests I found more distant shots lacked sharpness. Aside from the design the features included in this camera are fairly standard.
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Related Pages
Canon IXUS 960 IS Review Canon IXUS 960 IS Specification Canon IXUS 960 IS Sample Images Canon IXUS 960 IS Features
Review Date
October 2007
