Quick Verdict
The Canon IXUS 185 is very reasonably priced, at around £89, which will certainly grab your attention if you're in the market for a compact camera that's priced at under £100. However, price isn't always everything and what you gain in money in your pocket you lose in image quality and features. Not all images are terrible but they're not amazing either. Plus, with so many reasonably priced smartphones now available, it's hard to justify why you should need to purchase a compact point-and-shoot. If you do really want one, however, and will be taking photos in good light (not overly bright) and aren't expecting much in terms of features and mind-blowing image quality, you may want to consider the Canon IXUS 185.
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- Cons
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The Canon IXUS 185 is available for well under £100 and on paper, you get a lot of features for not much money but is image quality good enough and, does the compact camera offer enough to pull attention away from a smartphone which can capture impressive images nowadays?
You may be wondering why we're reviewing a compact camera that was released in 2017 and the answer to that is, despite its age, the Canon IXUS 185 is still a popular model on Amazon, Argos and other retailers who still sell the camera for around £88-90.
Canon IXUS 185 Features
The standout features of the Canon IXUS 185 is its 20MP 1/2.3 type CCD sensor, an 8x optical zoom lens, simple design, easy to use controls and the modes which are designed to make the camera really easy to use for a beginner. 'Point & Shoot' is another term used to describe this type of camera and the Canon IXUS 185 certainly does that with an Easy Auto mode, Auto Zoom and 32 scene detection modes.
There's a 6.8 cm (2.7") LCD that's not a touch screen unfortunately and the battery will capture approximately 210 shots - plenty for a day out at the coast.
Other features include a 100-1600 ISO range (which you can access when you switch to P mode), Exposure Compensation +/- 2 EV in 1/3 stop increments, date/time stamp, electronic IS, dynamic IS when capturing video (720p HD) and an f/3.2 - f/6.9 aperture range.
Key Features
- 20MP 1/2.3inch CCD sensor
- 8x optical zoom & 16x zoom plus (4x digital zoom)
- Easy Auto mode
- Auto Zoom - selects the best framing for stills and movies
- Aperture range: f/3.2 - f/6.9
- ISO: Auto, 100-1600
- Exposure Compensation +/- 2 EV in 1/3 stop increments
- 6.8 cm (2.7") LCD (TFT), approx. 230,000 dots
- Digital effects and creative modes
- 32 scene detection in Auto mode
- Add date stamps to your images
- Intelligent Image Stabilisation (electronic)
- Dynamic IS when capturing movies
- 720p HD movies. Aspect Ratio 4:3
- Rechargeable Li-ion Battery NB-11L / NB-11LH (approx 210 shots)
Canon IXUS 185 Handling
When you first pick up the Canon IXUS 185, it feels incredibly lightweight but looks rather cheap and that's mainly down to its plastic design which when you compare it with some other compact cameras or even smartphones, makes it look a little dated. However, the overall design is simple which means a beginner will find it easy to use. There are hardly any buttons/dials so it doesn't take long to get to grips with. Mind you, having used a smartphone as a point-and-shoot camera for so long, I will admit it did take me a while to navigate menus.
On the back is the screen which is bright and text in the menus is clear but it's not a touch screen, unfortunately. However, considering its 230k dot resolution, the price of the camera and the small screen size, it's no real surprise. You do get 100% frame coverage, though, and the brightness of the screen can be adjusted in the menu.
To the right of this are buttons for previewing images, recording video, accessing the menu, setting functions etc. On the top is the power button, shutter button and the zoom dial/lever which all feel pretty sturdy considering they're constructed from plastic. Also, thanks to a raised piece of plastic, you can push the zoom dial with one finger (just about), while still holding the camera sturdy, so you don't have to adjust your position to zoom in on detail. If you need to, there's an auto zoom function for photographing people with a [people] button which lets you zoom without using the zoom leaver but only when in the Easy Auto mode.
The bottom is where you access the battery/memory card slot (SD/SDHC) as well as a tripod thread and on the front is the flash, AF assistant/self-timer light and, of course, the 5.0 - 40.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 28 – 224 mm) 8x optical zoom lens. When you zoom the lens in/out, there is a loud whirring noise but the movement is smooth and you have access to 8x optical zoom and 16x ZoomPlus (digital). Image Stabilisation is built in but it is electronic and the aperture range goes from f/3.2-f/6.9.
The position of the flash does mean your finger can get in the way so just be wary of that and the usual flash modes are built-in - auto, manual flash on/off. There's also a slow synchro setting and red-eye reduction found in the menu system.
Due to its size, the Canon IXUS 185 fits well in the hand and has a decent amount of grip. Plus, there's a wrist strap should you be concerned you may drop the camera (under this attachment is a piece of rubber which can be peeled back to reveal a joint AV out/USB port, too).
The Canon IXUS 185 won't win any design awards, it's very generic, but it's OK (maybe we've been spoiled by flash smartphones?).
Switch the Canon IXUS 185 on and it instantly feels like a camera designed for the beginner with 'Easy Auto mode' automatically switched on so you can literally point the camera at something, take a photo and it does all of the hard work for you. There are also 32 scene modes built-in that automatically recognise what is in front of the camera, adjusting settings to create the best results possible.
If you want a little more control, you can switch to P mode (which you do by holding the 'Auto' button, confirming you want to switch 'Easy Auto mode' off and then click the button again to access P mode). Here, you can access ISO, white balance, metering settings, shutter speed, focus modes, digital filters and a variety of creative modes. There's also a self-timer, drive modes and image resolution options found in the menu.
The ISO range goes from 100-1600 but when in auto mode, this is restricted to ISO100-800 which can mean blur creeps into some shots but noise is kept to a minimum. If you find your shots to be over/underexposed, there's +/- 2 EV to assist and if you enjoy macro photography, you can get up to 1cm close to your subject.
Battery life is rated at 210 shots which is a decent number of images and will be plenty for those looking for something to go in their pocket on a day trip.
Switch on time is around 2-seconds and this includes the screen coming to life and the zoom lens extending to its widest setting. The camera switches on with an accompanying noise just to assure you it's coming to life.
As for how long it takes to capture and process an image, it's not as instant as a smartphone but it's not slow either (1-2 seconds at the most, perhaps which might be a bit annoying for those born in the 'instant' generation'). To ensure focus is set before you capture an image, you simply half-press the shutter so a green box appears then press the shutter fully down. Not having a touch screen means you can't press the screen to ensure the camera focuses where you want it to which is annoying but for under £100, you can't really complain too much.
Overall, if you're looking for a point-and-shoot compact without too many frills, the IXUS 185 could be on your 'top choices' list but when you compare it to a reasonably priced smartphone, it's still a little hard to justify purchasing such a device when a smartphone offers the same, if not more, features, although the 8x optical zoom lens and real flash could still appeal, especially if you don't want to take a pricey smartphone with you.
Canon IXUS 185 Performance
The performance section is where we look at the image quality performance of the camera. Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.
Canon IXUS 185 Sample Photos
Sample Photos - Easy Auto mode does a decent job at capturing images but it does have a habit of firing the flash and bumping up the ISO when it thinks it needs to which can result in poorer results. However, on days where light levels are pretty even, colours are good and there's plenty of detail - the sunflower is a good example of this. Throw in some mixed lighting and the Canon IXUS 185 will get really confused; either losing detail in shadow areas and/or overexposing brighter areas of the shot. The image of the church door, for example, has a wide dynamic range and the Auto Mode hasn't left enough detail in dark areas while purple fringing and overexposure can be seen in brighter spots. There is +/- 2 EV to assist in such situations, however, if you switch to P mode. Greens can appear a little toxic, too. Portraits are good, from a distance, but noise does creep in when you look closely. It's a shame the auto mode doesn't automatically add bokeh to portrait backgrounds as this is something smartphones do really well.
Canon IXUS 185 Lens test images
Lens Test Images - Where possible stick to the 8x optical zoom as digital zoom is rather terrible with an obvious loss in detail. Purple fringing can be an issue, sometimes, too.
Canon IXUS 185 ISO test images
Noise Performance - Where possible, stick to lower ISO values as even at ISO100 you can see some artefacts creeping in. ISO400, you see a loss in detail and ISO1600 should be avoided when possible.
Canon IXUS 185 White-balance test images
White Balance - Auto White Balance under Fluorescent and Tungsten produced the most accurate results with the Fluorescent option looking a touch warm and the Tungsten preset having a colour cast. Auto White Balance under mixed also has a colour cast to it.
Video - You can capture video with the IXUS 185 but it's only in HD which, when compared with smartphones that can capture video in FullHD or 4K, may be disappointing to some. There is a microphone built-in and a separate speaker, though, and you can use the 8x optical zoom lens while recording. Dynamic range can be a problem for the camera, and the lack of image stabilisation means images are not stable, unless you're prepared to use a tripod.
Value For Money
The Canon IXUS 185 is priced at around £89 which isn't a lot of money for a compact, point-and-shoot camera.
Other options, around a similar price point/spec, include:
- Sony Cyber-shot W830, 20mp, 8x optical zoom, £99
- Sony Cyber-shot W810, 20mp, 6x optical zoom, £89
- Sony Cyber-shot W800, 20mp, 5x optical zoom, £69
- Nikon Coolpix A10, 16mp, 5x optical zoom, AA batteries, £75
- Nikon Coolpix A300, 20mp, 8x optical zoom, Wi-Fi, £129
Have a look at more budget cameras in our Top Budget Compacts around £100 or Top Budget Compacts under £100. You'll also need to buy a memory card and a case or bag to keep your camera safe and protected - have a look at our complete guide to camera bags.
Canon IXUS 185 Verdict
The Canon IXUS 185 is a very reasonably priced, at around £89, which will certainly grab your attention if you're in the market for a compact camera that's priced at under £100. However, price isn't always everything and what you gain in money in your pocket you lose features, design and some image quality. Not all images captured are terrible, with some shots having plenty of colour/detail but then in others, you lose detail to noise and bad dynamic range.
The auto mode is really easy to use and great for beginners but only having HD video and the menu system hiding options away, doesn't really make it stand out against a reasonably priced smartphone. In fact, most smartphones capture better quality images (and add bokeh to portraits) with ease.
It's hard to justify why you should need to purchase a compact point-and-shoot nowadays but if you do really want one and will be taking photos in good light (not overly bright) and aren't expecting much in terms of features and mind-blowing image quality, you may want to consider the Canon IXUS 185.
Canon IXUS 185 Digital Compact Camera Review - Alternatives
Here are some of the best alternatives to the Canon IXUS 185 compact camera which are around a similar price point/spec:
Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W800
Features of the DSC-W800 from Sony include a built-in Party Mode, an Advanced Flash for boosting the camera's sensitivity, effectively extending the flash range and a dedicated movie button that allows users to start HD video recording without digging through menus. The W800 Cyber-Shot also features a 20.1MP sensor, 5x optical zoom and a 2.7" screen.
Buy On Amazon UK Buy On Amazon USA
Canon IXUS 275 HS
The Canon IXUS 275 HS updates the Canon IXUS 265 HS and features a 20 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, 12x optical zoom lens, image stabilisation and built-in Wi-Fi and NFC. The IXUS 275 has a compact metal body that is available in silver or black and it records full HD video at 30fps with mono sound. The Canon IXUS 275 HS offers a lot of optical zoom in a very compact camera and produces pleasing images.
Nikon Coolpix A10
The Nikon A10 is very much a budget compact camera but it still captures bright colourful photos and it has a number of creative effects that can be applied when shooting or in playback. The screen on the back is reasonable and the camera is easy to use, and for sharing photos on social media website such as Facebook, the results should be good enough. The camera also takes AA batteries making it convenient when out-and-about.
Buy On Amazon UK Buy On Amazon USA
Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W810
The Sony Cyber-shot W810 was announced at the same time as the W830 and features a 20.1-megapixel sensor, 6x optical zoom lens, a 720p video recording mode and has features such as Intelligent auto and sweep panorama. There's also a Party mode where the camera can alter settings to capture shots in tricky lighting conditions.
Buy On Amazon UK Buy On Amazon USA
For more options, have a look at our 'best compact cameras under £100' that are a bargain buy.
Spotted a mistake? Let us know in the EQDB.