Canon PowerShot ELPH 130 IS Pro Reviews

The IXUS 140 / ELPH 130 IS is one of three basic IXUS / ELPH models in the bottom half of the range. Until 2013, the entire IXUS / ELPH range carried the HS suffix and all had CMOS sensors paired with the Digic 5 processor. That meant that even the lowliest IXUS / ELPH model shared similar characteristics with the flagship model, but now the picture is very different with Canon deploying an older 16 Megapixel CCD sensor and Digic 4 processor in many of the more affordable 2013 IXUS / ELPHs. So if you want features like 1080p full HD video, an HDMI port, stacking modes and hi-speed burst shooting, you'll need to look up to the IXUS 255 HS / ELPH 330 HS. That split in the range also means the lower-end IXUS / ELPH models also have more in common with the less expensive A-series PowerShots. So if an 8x zoom isn't all that important to you, the PowerShot A3500 IS, A2600 or A2500 will deliver much the same quality and features, and therefore represent much better value for money. It also looks like Canon intends to keep the older IXUS 125 HS / ELPH 110 HS in the line-up, but with prices that are significantly lower than the IXUS 140 ELPH 130 IS it's an opportunity that won't be around for long. As for the IXUS 140 / ELPH 110 IS, it could be described as a sheep in wolf's clothing. It looks and feels like a high-end IXUS / ELPH, but in reality, aside from the longer zoom there's little to set it apart from the less expensive, but equally capable PowerShot A3500 IS. As such it's hard for me to recommend it over the cheaper model. So again if you don't need an 8x zoom, go for the A3500 IS, A2600 or A2500, and if you fancy an IXUS / ELPH that sports the feature-set the brand deserves, go for the IXUS 255 HS / ELPH 330 HS.

Budget point-and-shoot cameras are facing tough times from the ever increasing abilities of smartphone cameras, but if there's any compact camera that can still cut it in this cut-throat sector, it's likely to be from the successful Canon IXUS range. The Canon IXUS 140 - known as the Canon PowerShot ELPH 130 in the US - is positioned as an entry-level camera, pairing a 16 megapixel CCD sensor with a fast Digic 4 processor.

The Canon PowerShot Elph 130 IS features Wi-Fi and an 8x zoom lens, but for a few dollars more you can get a much better compact camera.

In summary, although there's little here that can be described as a great leap forwards from the IXUS models we saw last year, the new IXUS 140 does deliver a well-balanced package at a lower price than ever before for the IXUS range. For casual photographers looking for a point and shoot with a reliably consistent performance that produces images requiring very little in the way of post production (at least in good light), the Canon IXUS 140 is well worth considering.

When it comes to a simple point-and-shoot camera, it doesn’t get any more basic than the 130 IS. What you get for the slight premium is some style, an 8x optical zoom, and Wi-Fi. The 130 IS is ideal for people who want a small pocketable camera that’s easy to use; we can see this as an attractive option for young kids who want a connected camera or older adults who don’t want to fuss with technology. However, as smartphone cameras are increasingly getting better to a point where they rival point-and-shoot cameras like the 130 IS in image quality – and more people, kids included, are adopting them as their primary device for casual photography – it’s very difficult to recommend a camera like the 130 IS to the masses. We know there are still many people who don’t own smartphones, or, if they do, they prefer to use two devices. If you fall into either of these two categories and you’re looking for something like the 130 IS, there is a stronger option that we haven’t mentioned, and that’s Canon’s ELPH 330 HS. We gave the 330 HS some harsh criticism, but for only $30 more, it’s actually a far better camera than the 130 IS. You get a longer zoom, Wi-Fi, and better sensor and image processor. While we think smartphones are giving cameras like the 130 IS and 330 HS some stiff competition, we know there’s still a small audience for these cameras, but you can definitely do better than the 130 IS. Buy the 130 IS as a gift for someone who’s tech-phobic or a first camera for youngsters, but upgrade to the 330 HS if your budget allows.

A capable camera with built-in Wi-Fi, but suffers in comparison to its slightly more expensive sibling

With built-in Wi-Fi, the Canon IXUS 140 is geared for the user who likes to take pictures to share on the web via Facebook etc. Image quality is good, with fantastic colour reproduction, so your pictures will look fabulous on the internet. It's also an ideal camera for carrying in your pocket, even with Wi-Fi and an 8x optical zoom it's compact and lightweight.