The metal-bodied Ixus cameras have always been trendsetters. They are sleek, compact and offer much more than what is required when compared to others in the same class. The Ixus 980 IS not only makes a fashion statement but also performs just as well as it looks. The Ixus 980 IS is the current top-end model and packs a massive 14.7 megapixel sensor. Encased in an all-aluminium body, the 980 IS is rugged enough to resist minor bumps. It features a unique design that curves inwards along the length, thereby offering a better grip and feel. As with most Canon cameras the buttons are easily accessible with the right thumb. The addition of a jog dial allows you to scroll through the various camera settings and adjust shooting parameters more comfortably than with a D-pad. Everything else remains the same such as the shortcut buttons for ISO, flash, timer and macro. The mode selection dial however is placed at the back rather than next to the shutter release button. Nevertheless switching between different modes is as easy as it was in the previous models.



Though the manual mode option is making an exit in most compact digital cameras, the Ixus 980 IS retains this feature thereby giving you the freedom to adjust both the aperture and shutter speed. If you are not too keen on manually fine-tuning exposure parameters then the 14 different scene modes will allow you to take picture perfect snaps thereby eliminating the need to make calculated adjustments. Other modes include Color Swap and Color Accent that are fun to use but are very limited in functionality. The ISO level can be set to a max of 1600 and surprisingly, the 980 IS is capable of delivering decent pictures even at 800 ISO. The quality of video captured is also pretty good at a maximum resolution of 640 x 480 pixels.