Canon IXUS 230 HS | PowerShot ELPH 310 HS | IXY 600F

Canon released the IXUS 230 HS in August 2011 as a metal-bodied compact with a back-illuminated CMOS sensor, 8× optical zoom, and a 461k-dot 3-inch LCD in a body 22mm deep. The HS system paired the BSI sensor with DIGIC 4 for cleaner low-light shots — less noise, less flash dependency, more ambient light preserved. Six color options including this black, and a Super Slow Motion mode shooting at 240fps before most phones could do anything similar.

THE LOOKS

In black, the IXUS 230 HS is a clean, slightly wedge-shaped metal body — 96 × 57 × 22mm, 140g, with the 3-inch LCD taking up most of the rear and the controls tucked to the right side. The lens bezel protrudes slightly when extended, the only interruption to the flat face. The build feels solid with only the battery door indicating plastic underneath. Also available in silver, green, purple, pink, and blue.

THE SPECS

The 12.1-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4 processor — Canon's HS system — handle low light noticeably better than the CCD-based models it replaced, with usable results up to ISO 800. The 8× zoom covers 28–224mm equivalent with Intelligent IS that adjusts stabilization mode based on the scene. Flash reaches 4 metres at wide angle. 1080p/24fps HD video with optical zoom during recording and Dynamic IS for handheld stability. Super Slow Motion at 240fps. SD/SDHC/SDXC, 96 × 57 × 22mm, 140g.

DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS

• Back-illuminated CMOS HS System: Canon's BSI sensor and DIGIC 4 produced cleaner low-light shots — less noise at ISO 400 and 800 than the CCD models it replaced.
• Intelligent IS adapting to the scene: the system analysed whether you were shooting stills, panning, or video and applied the appropriate stabilization mode automatically.
• Super Slow Motion at 240fps: VGA footage shot at eight times normal speed, played back at 30fps — a creative feature that predated its appearance on smartphones by several years.

THE VERDICT

The IXUS 230 HS is the point where Canon moved the IXUS from CCD to CMOS without losing anything. The HS system delivered cleaner low-light images than its predecessors, the 461k-dot screen was class-leading at the price, and the flash reaches 4 metres — enough to actually light a group. Black makes the camera look like a tool rather than an accessory, which at 22mm deep with a metal body it earns.