Introduction

Ease of Use

There's a distinct possibility that Canon knew what they were doing when they made the recent range of IXUS cameras look the same. It takes an extra problem out of the equation when looking to buy a camera because if you're toying with upgrading for the extra features, at least you can't be put off because you don't like the look of it.

While the shape may be the same of the IXUS models below it, the 155 has a couple of tricks up it's sleeve. For example, it houses a 10x optical zoom inside the slimline casing. That's an upgrade from the 8x of the IXUS 150 – the next model down from the 155. That zoom also starts at a wider angle, but still goes out further at the top end. Other upgrades include a higher resolution CCD. At 20 megapixels, you have an additional 4 million photosites on the sensor from the 150.

IXUS have always been known for giving the end user that little bit more and it shows on the 155 even though you have to look a little closer. For example, you get a metal tripod bush which will last a lot longer than the plastic ones found on equivalent priced Powershot cameras. There's also a very small zoom switch placed on top of the camera. These can be large and chunky and using a smaller one is a sign of investment.

The back of the Canon IXUS 155 has a standard layout of four operational buttons surrounding the main navigation pad. To constrict the dimensions slightly, the buttons have been arranged in a staggered formation. Arguably, one of the buttons could be redundant as it accesses a Help menu which could be put in the Main menu. Although, the camera is extremely simple to use and possibly wouldn't be used anyway. Still, if you're a beginner or struggle with technology, then the Help button (signified by a question mark) will explain the functions of the mode you're in without using jargon.

Front	Rear

You may notice the absence of the macro and exposure compensation buttons on the back of the camera. These have been moved into the Function menu so that the Eco mode and Auto/Live toggle buttons can be used instead.

Canon have always made their menus easy to use. There are two main menu systems. The most frequently used one will arguably be the Function menu. It's accessed via the centre button on the navigation pad. It brings up various options on the left of the screen which will change dependent on the mode that you're in. For the most expansive, it's best to tap the camera out of Auto mode by pressing up on the navigation pad before going into the menu which will take you into Live mode. Then in the Function menu, select Program from the list of modes under the ISO selector. Other functions you can access in this menu include the aforementioned ISO, white-balance, resolution and continuous shooting options.

For more features of the Canon IXUS 155 that change indepth functions, you need to access the Main menu which is via the Menu button towards the bottom of the camera. There are two tabs that make up the Main menu. The left tab is dedicated to camera functions, such as focusing, image stabilising, Blink detection, i-Contrast and Red-eye correction. The tab on the right is for setting up the base components of the camera. For example, you can change the Volume of different functions, adjust the date & time, format the card, change the video system for use in America or Britain or change the language. There's plenty more and it would be exhaustive to list them all.

Front	Top

The menu systems use a grey background colour code with black fading and white lettering. The highlighter is orange which contrasts nicely with the grey and makes it both appealing and easy to see.

Starting the Canon IXUS 155 from the off position, then focusing and taking a picture can be done in 1.3sec on the IXUS 155. That's slightly faster than the new average of 1.5 – 1.8sec. The camera took eight photographs in a ten second period which is a bit of a plodding speed. We've seen much faster, but then it is continuous and not a burst mode. Essentially, if you want to capture fast moving objects, don't bother, because this isn't a camera built for speed.

You can access the pictures you've already taken by pressing the blue arrow button on the back of the camera. This can be done whether the camera is on or off and where you'd normally have to hold the button down for a few seconds when powered down, the IXUS 155 just needs a tap.

Memory Card Slot	Battery Compartment

The most recently taken photo will be displayed on the screen with no information and if you desire that, then you can press the Disp button (down on the navigation pad) to add some basic shoot info. Press it again and you get a comprehensive screen of information with the image as a thumbnail and a histogram.

One thing that goes against Canon compacts when compared to some other equivalent cameras from different manufacturers is the use of an external battery charger. Small cameras like this are great for taking away on holidays or travelling – thanks to their wide array of features. The external charger does come with a figure eight lead to plug into the mains. The battery is also included and a small wrist strap. The IXUS 155 doesn't have any internal memory but there's no memory card included in the box either.

In the top section, there's a wrapped up pack containing a Getting Started Guide, a European Warranty information leaflet and some promotional paraphernalia. Noticeably missing is the full User Guide which is normally on a CD with some kind of basic editing and tagging software. These are both available now to download from the Canon website instead. It makes it better on the environment and cuts costs which should be reflected in the price of the Canon IXUS 155.

Image Quality

All of the sample images in this review were taken using the 20 megapixel Superfine JPEG setting, which gives an average image size of around 6Mb.

Noise

Noise results from the low ISO looks promising at ISO 100. There's isn't an iota of noise in shadows or dark areas, but there is plenty of detail and nice, sharp edges. Being hyper-critical, slight amounts of noise start to poke through at ISO 200 and that's disappointing. ISO 400 is where the big changes happen though. There's a massive drop in image quality in terms of detail showing and noise coming through. Green blotches appear in darker areas and detail is already being smudged out by noise reduction software.

ISO 800 sees a drop in colour in order to subdue colour noise, but it still persists in occupying much of the image. Salt & pepper noise is also starting to intimidate mid-tones a lot more. This must be why they've capped the ISO ratings to ISO 1600. Any higher and the images would be unrecognisable and that's not good for a brand with such a high reputation.

The examination above was done at full magnification and if you look at the pictures at normal viewing size, you shouldn't see noise come through until ISO 800 except on long exposures where heated pixels will disrupt the performance of neighbouring pixels.

ISO 100 (100% Crop)	ISO 200 (100% Crop)
ISO 400 (100% Crop)	ISO 800 (100% Crop)
ISO 1600 (100% Crop)

Sharpening

Adding sharpening to the pictures certainly helps if the pictures are at a low ISO and there's no evident noise. If there is, the sharpening process simply exacerbates it.

Original (100% Crop)	Sharpened (100% Crop)

Focal Range

The Canon IXUS 155's 10x zoom lens provides a focal length of 24-240mm in 35mm terms, as demonstrated below.

24mm	240mm

Chromatic Aberrations

We found traces of chromatic aberration all over the pictures. Generally on high contrast edges, but not exclusively and they don't have to be sharp edges either. We did notice that due to the limited dynamic range of the sensor, some light bleed from bright skies looked like chroma, so don't mistake that.

Chromatic Aberrations 1 (100% Crop)	Chromatic Aberrations 2 (100% Crop)
Chromatic Aberrations 3 (100% Crop)	Chromatic Aberrations 4 (100% Crop)

Macro

The IXUS 155 has a 1cm close focus system. That's so close, it invades your personal space. The sweet spot in the centre can produce incredibly sharp images, but the drop off if image quality towards the edges comes in quickly and very severely.

Macro	Macro (100% Crop)

Flash

Without flash, the pictures are balanced with no evidence of vignetting that we could detect. Adding flash adds a harsh vignette at wide-angle though, but this goes as you get to the full zoom.

Flash Off - Wide Angle (24mm)	Flash On - Wide Angle (24mm)
Flash Off - Telephoto (240mm)	Flash On - Telephoto (240mm)

We did get some red-eye when taking portraits. Using the red-eye correction function does reduce it, but a correction system suggests it removes it. However, it does this digitally, so will be programmed to look for certain colours and it's quite possible that this was outside of the gamut.

Flash On	Flash On (100% Crop)
Red-eye Correction	Red-eye Correction (100% Crop)

Night

You can take pictures in Program mode at night which allows you to control the ISO and in turn allows smoother images. However, the maximum exposure time is 1sec which, in very dark conditions, simply isn't enough. The Night mode of the IXUS 155 is much better than those found on some other compact cameras. It's in fact a Long Exposure mode that allows you to select how long you want the exposure to be. You can choose anything up to 15 seconds and the camera will blessedly also allow you to adjust the ISO and white-balance.

Night Program	Night Program (100% Crop)
Night Scene	Night Scene (100% Crop)

Sample Images

This is a selection of sample images from the Canon IXUS 155 camera, which were all taken using the 20 megapixel SuperFine JPEG setting. The thumbnails below link to the full-sized versions, which have not been altered in any way.

Sample Movie & Video

As of February 2025, we are no longer providing full size sample images or videos for download.

Please contact us if you have any feedback on our new policy.

Product Images

Front of the Canon IXUS 155

Front of the Canon IXUS 155 / Turned On

Side of the Canon IXUS 155

Side of the Canon IXUS 155

Rear of the Canon IXUS 155

Rear of the Canon IXUS 155 / Image Displayed

Rear of the Canon IXUS 155 / Turned On

Rear of the Canon IXUS 155 / Function Menu

Rear of the Canon IXUS 155 / Main Menu

Rear of the Canon IXUS 155 / Main Menu

Rear of the Canon IXUS 155 / Main Menu

Rear of the Canon IXUS 155 / Main Menu

Rear of the Canon IXUS 155 / Help Menu

Top of the Canon IXUS 155

Bottom of the Canon IXUS 155

Side of the Canon IXUS 155

Side of the Canon IXUS 155

Front of the Canon IXUS 155

Memory Card Slot

Battery Compartment

Conclusion

The Canon IXUS 155 has been designed to be appealing to look at and very easy to use. However, this sexiness with the point and shoot mentality isn't necessarily enough so the camera adds a few other bits and bobs to lure you up from the IXUS 150.

It's a very easy camera to use and as such will suit most people in a family from young to old, technophobe to tech savvy. The compact design will slip easily into a pocket or bag which makes it great for days out or nights on the town. If you're going on holiday, the long zoom and fast start up mode will mean you're less likely to lose those precious moments. The part that the IXUS as a range fails at this point is the external battery charger. It's additional weight to carry and the plug is the majority of it because it's a standard plug, not a custom made one for the camera range.

IXUS have always been built to a good standard and the 155 doesn't let us down at this point. There are naturally areas for improvement and in the 155, it could do with a locking mechanism on the battery door. While the door shouldn't just drop open of its own accord, it's these little points that make a camera special. We do like how the rubber cover of the USB port has been made into a part of the design for the entire right side of the camera.

Image quality of day to day pictures is very good. We are very pleased with the pictures we got through the test and not just because we're amazing photographers. Noise does come in a bit too early, but let's keep in mind that while it's a member of a prestige range, it's still a camera priced at £110 which isn't expensive.

The Canon IXUS 155 is modestly priced for the features you get from a brand name that has an excellent reputation. It doesn't sully that reputation and our only gripes are with the amount of chromatic aberration, which is down to sub-standard lenses, and noise coming through a little too early for our liking. Have a look at the samples and if you can live with it, then take a look at this camera.

Ratings (out of 5)
Design	4
Features	4.5
Ease-of-use	4
Image quality	4
Value for money	4.5

Specifications

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