05-26-2010, 08:21 AM
![[Image: CanonIXUS130_angle_450.jpg]](http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_PowerShot_SD1400_IS_IXUS_130/images/CanonIXUS130_angle_450.jpg)
You can of course get most of this in any mid-range compact, but like its predecessor, much of the appeal of the IXUS 130 / SD1400 IS lies with its physical build and appearance. It's a great-looking tiny camera with beautifully rounded corners, allowing it to slip discreetly into any pocket. Handle it in the flesh and it's hard to resist.
Our biggest complaint with the earlier IXUS 100 IS / SD780 IS was its unremarkable 3x zoom range which lacked true wide-angle capabilities. That's now been addressed with a broader 4x range on the IXUS 130 / SD1400 IS which includes 28mm coverage. Annoyingly you still can't optically zoom while filming video, but the range is much more flexible for normal photography.
The optical viewfinder of its predecessor may now be gone, but again offering some consolation is the slightly larger screen which looks great in use. In terms of exposures, the camera remains pretty much fully automatic, although the latest scene detection does a great job. Probably the worst aspect in terms of performance is its slow continuous shooting speed, but unless you want to capture action, this won't bother you.
So with great looks and finish, a nice wide lens, foolproof Auto, HD video and decent image quality, there's a great deal to like about the IXUS 130 / SD1400 IS. Sure, there's a premium for packing these capabilities into such a small body, but it's a price many will be happy to pay. After all the earlier IXUS 100 IS / SD780 IS sold by the bucket-load even when equipped with a basic 3x zoom. This year you get a wider lens and bigger screen along with a slimmer and more rounded body. Even in the continued absence of a decent burst mode and optical zoom while filming, it adds up to a highly desirable package. If you're happy to pay the premium for a great-looking slim automatic compact, the IXUS 130 / SD1400 IS won't disappoint.
Our biggest complaint with the earlier IXUS 100 IS / SD780 IS was its unremarkable 3x zoom range which lacked true wide-angle capabilities. That's now been addressed with a broader 4x range on the IXUS 130 / SD1400 IS which includes 28mm coverage. Annoyingly you still can't optically zoom while filming video, but the range is much more flexible for normal photography.
The optical viewfinder of its predecessor may now be gone, but again offering some consolation is the slightly larger screen which looks great in use. In terms of exposures, the camera remains pretty much fully automatic, although the latest scene detection does a great job. Probably the worst aspect in terms of performance is its slow continuous shooting speed, but unless you want to capture action, this won't bother you.
So with great looks and finish, a nice wide lens, foolproof Auto, HD video and decent image quality, there's a great deal to like about the IXUS 130 / SD1400 IS. Sure, there's a premium for packing these capabilities into such a small body, but it's a price many will be happy to pay. After all the earlier IXUS 100 IS / SD780 IS sold by the bucket-load even when equipped with a basic 3x zoom. This year you get a wider lens and bigger screen along with a slimmer and more rounded body. Even in the continued absence of a decent burst mode and optical zoom while filming, it adds up to a highly desirable package. If you're happy to pay the premium for a great-looking slim automatic compact, the IXUS 130 / SD1400 IS won't disappoint.
Good points
Very slim and stylish body; looks and feels great.
4x stabilised zoom with 28mm wide coverage.
Foolproof Auto with scene detection.
720p HD video and HDMI output.
Bad points
Pointlessly slow continuous shooting speed.
Cannot optically zoom while filming.
Optical viewfinder of earlier model missing.
Face, smile and wink timers in strange location.
Scores
Build quality:-19 / 20
Image quality:16 / 20
Handling:16 / 20
Specification:17 / 20
Value:16 / 20
Overall:84%
Retail Price: INR 14,995.00
From-Cameralabs