Home > Consumer Reviews > Canon Digital IXUS 30 - Digital camera - 3.2 Mpix - optical zoom: 3 x - supported memory: SD

I bought one of these last week from Jessops, and was a bit skeptical when left the shop as to how good it would be.
Before I went in, I'd got hung up on the number of megapixels being the mark of the quality of the image. In fact, it was made clear to me that the number of pixels sets the maximum possible print size, but the most important fatcor in quality of prints is the quality of the lense.
For the same price, I could have bought a Pentax 5.2 MP camera, but the assistant assured me that Canon was the way to go - taking advantage of their 1-week no-questions return policy, I gave it a go and was very impressed (so impressed, I've decided to keep the camera for good).

So, first impressions first:
- it is a small camera, but not so small that you'd keep hitting the wrong buttons.
- the screen is larger than any other in the same price range and very clear.
- it looks stylish and is a simple shape.

Using the camera:
- it is very intuitive, and I didn't need to refer to the manual at all for the first wee while.
- it feels secure and allows you easy editing and image manipulation
- there is absolutley NO DELAY between pushing the button and taking the photo (one of my major beefs with other cameras), so people look natural and unforced.
- Windows XP picks it up straight away, so you don't even need to install the software
- 3X optical zoom is very useful

Image Quality:
- will print photo-quality up to A3 on the best setting
- produces good quality videos
- produced some lovely pictures on the Boots photostations
- gives excellently balanced and crisp images on the appropriate photo modes (which are very well set up)
- macro images turn out very nicely, though you have to take more care with lighting than with normal photos

Any cons?
- I couldn't find a battery monitor, so have to guess when the battery will run out (though it comes with a separate battery charging unit and isn't a big deal - and this one has lasted a week on a single charge, being used quite frequently)
- I had to refer to the instruction manual to find the way to activate the digital zoom
- as is always the case, the 16MB card supplied is almost pointless, but larger SD cards are getting cheaper.

Overall, this has been a great surprise and a pleasure to use. I bring it everyhwere and am very happy that I bought it. The next things on my list are a spare battery and a hard case for it - as I am particularly prone to smashing things that have cost me money!

I bought one of these babys off eBay brand new for £88, now discounted but still a bargain. Its only 3 million pixels but what the hell good enough for A4 size photos and lets be honest how often would you want to blow a photo up larger than that anyway if at all?

Another point worth considering is when emailing photos with 3m pixel cameras you can send more photos than say 5 or 7m pixel camera pic's in the one email. They they are also quicker to load onto your email something often over looked and you get less failures on the likes of yahoo eamil. This is important to me as I email lots of photographs, it maybe to you to.

I bought this camera to replace my ageing Ixus 300 with it's 2 million pixels and it beats it in every way. The 30 is faster, lighter, smaller and with more useful features. If you can find one of these beauties for anything less than £100 snap it up. You can't go wrong with this camera or any in the Ixus range IMO. They maybe a little costlier than the cheaper competition but you do get class and quality.

The preview screen at 2" maybe a little smaller than many now but its just fine and large enough for me. The zoom of 3x is great including zooming into to an already taken pic. Controls are easy to find and work without having to keep refering to the manual. AS with all thre Ixus range the flash is only really useful for up to 3m range.

Forget the 16mb card and get at least a 128mb one they are cheap enough now. Buy a case for it to help keep it in top condition and to protect the screen and the camera should last for many years. This is such a stylish camera that will still look good and up to date in years to come, my Ixus 300 is 4 years old and still does.

All in all this is a cracking little camera and worthy of it 5 stars.

This is an ace camera, loads of features for the size, massive screen on the back, video reasonably good quality, size, 3xzoom, the size of the thing. Did I mention the size of the thing.

I love Ixus 30, but recently had to opt for cheaper option as I lost one on a night out and broke the other one by packing it too tightly into an oversquashed suitcase. Apart from that, treat it well and it will do everything the everyday digisnapper needs.

I bought one of these last week from Jessops, and was a bit skeptical when left the shop as to how good it would be.
Before I went in, I'd got hung up on the number of megapixels being the mark of the quality of the image. In fact, it was made clear to me that the number of pixels sets the maximum possible print size, but the most important fatcor in quality of prints is the quality of the lense.
For the same price, I could have bought a Pentax 5.2 MP camera, but the assistant assured me that Canon was the way to go - taking advantage of their 1-week no-questions return policy, I gave it a go and was very impressed (so impressed, I've decided to keep the camera for good).

So, first impressions first:
- it is a small camera, but not so small that you'd keep hitting the wrong buttons.
- the screen is larger than any other in the same price range and very clear.
- it looks stylish and is a simple shape.

Using the camera:
- it is very intuitive, and I didn't need to refer to the manual at all for the first wee while.
- it feels secure and allows you easy editing and image manipulation
- there is absolutley NO DELAY between pushing the button and taking the photo (one of my major beefs with other cameras), so people look natural and unforced.
- Windows XP picks it up straight away, so you don't even need to install the software
- 3X optical zoom is very useful

Image Quality:
- will print photo-quality up to A3 on the best setting
- produces good quality videos
- produced some lovely pictures on the Boots photostations
- gives excellently balanced and crisp images on the appropriate photo modes (which are very well set up)
- macro images turn out very nicely, though you have to take more care with lighting than with normal photos

Any cons?
- I couldn't find a battery monitor, so have to guess when the battery will run out (though it comes with a separate battery charging unit and isn't a big deal - and this one has lasted a week on a single charge, being used quite frequently)
- I had to refer to the instruction manual to find the way to activate the digital zoom
- as is always the case, the 16MB card supplied is almost pointless, but larger SD cards are getting cheaper.

Overall, this has been a great surprise and a pleasure to use. I bring it everyhwere and am very happy that I bought it. The next things on my list are a spare battery and a hard case for it - as I am particularly prone to smashing things that have cost me money!

From a D-SLR "expert" user...
I gave this camera to my girlfriend for her bday, and after 6 months of use I can tell this is a fantastic little camera with very good battery life, nice functions and a very nice and big LCD screen so you're in control of what you do. Don't expect top quality A2 prints but for most of the photo needs you can imagine this is a must-have!