Canon and Nikon lead the photography camera markets, and for good reason, as we will see in this review. Canon cameras have now become a mark of the professional photographer, very much like Nikon. The Canon Digital IXUS 95 IS is also known as the Powershot SD1200 IS in some regions. This is an entry level model.

The IXUS 95 boasts of 10 mega pixel resolution and a 3x zoom, a 2.5 inch LCD and the usual solid IXUS design (powershot).  It is definitely a logical follow-up to its predecessor the IXUS 80. We liked the fact that it has an optical viewfinder, something that many camera makers are doing away with. If you are planning to evolve as a photographer, you need to get used to holding the camera to your eye – the next step for you being an SLR.

The Canon Powershot models are heavy cameras considering they are entry level models, but this is something we actually like (go figure). Have you ever considered it is easier to hold a heavy camera still, rather than a featherweight? Another plus for those who want to move on to a professional camera in the future...Of course it weighs at only 120gm (body-only), and we believe anything lighter than this has no right to call itself a camera.  This being a travel-companion sort of camera, Canon offers it in the colours blue, pink, gray and silver.

The IXUS 95 has an all new smart mode, which is Canon’s answer to its competitors’ intelligent modes.  This mode selects one of the other 18 modes, based on what would best be suited to the scenario present. It does so based on subject distance, hues, brightness levels and such. I guess you don’t even have to think about mode selection with the smart and intelligent modes on! The auto red-eye reduction ensures that all your images are free of the dreaded red eye caused by the flash. This needs to be activated through the camera’s menus. We also likes the motion detect feature on the IXUS 95, which automatically detects when your subject is moving, and raises the ISO level to give you a shake-free photograph. The camera’s start-up time is less than a second, and this is definitely impressive as you see the lens extending to its fullest, the LCD coming to life simultaneously.  Also, the fact that there is negligible shutter delay after you fire ensure that  never again will you miss a shot groping around with your camera controls! And what’s more, this model is also capable of shooting modest video clips at 640 x 480 pixels, and 30 frames per second. The i-contrast feature ensures you get maximum detail in your images in low light conditions when you have the flash turned off. This is of course a part of the in-camera post processing, and not a shooting mode in itself.

This lightning-fast model from Canon is all that you could want from a pocket sized camera, and more. We expect it to sell like hot cakes.