Canon IXUS 285 HS | PowerShot ELPH 360 HS | IXY 650

Canon’s IXUS 285 HS is the model that has become the most sought-after in the IXUS lineup, helped by Kendall Jenner being photographed with one. Under the hype is a useful little camera: a 12× optical zoom, real lens-shift stabilisation, a flash and wireless sharing in a body smaller than most phones. The purple version is the one to look for — compact, clean and more playful than the usual black or silver.

THE LOOKS

Canon officially called this Purple: rich metallic violet with a matching purple lens ring and a small silver-toned top plate. The smooth purple front is interrupted only by the flash, a small textured grip and recessed lens; when off, the lens retracts flush. The back stays simple, with a 3-inch screen and compact circle of controls. At 22.8mm deep it is not ultra-thin, but rounded corners keep it neat in hand. Other available colours: black and silver.

THE SPECS

The IXUS 285 HS has a 20.2-megapixel 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor, paired with a 12× optical zoom that runs from 25mm wide enough for a whole group to 300mm for distant details. Its f/3.6–7.0 lens is brightest at wide angle and gets dimmer as you zoom, so far shots prefer daylight. A real lens-shift stabiliser helps keep handheld photos sharp. It shoots Full HD 1080p video at 30fps, while Wi-Fi and NFC send photos to your phone wirelessly, no cable. The 3-inch screen is fixed, not touch-operated. 99.6 × 58.0 × 22.8mm; 147g with battery and card.

DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS

• Purple metal front: The deep violet face carries through to the matching lens ring, giving the IXUS a single-colour, polished look rather than a mix of finishes.

• A lens that retracts flush: Switch the IXUS off and its 12× lens folds neatly back inside the body, leaving a compact front with no protruding barrel to catch.

• Simple controls, proper screen: The fixed 3-inch display takes up most of the back, with a compact circular control pad below it for quick, familiar point-and-shoot settings.

THE VERDICT

The purple IXUS 285 HS earns its attention because it is more than a celebrity accessory. It has the flash-and-CMOS look people want from a mid-2010s compact, but its 12× zoom and real stabiliser make it much more flexible than a basic point-and-shoot. Full HD video and phone sharing keep the workflow easy. The long end needs daylight and the screen does not flip, yet for everyday photos, travel and nights out, it remains the standout IXUS.