Canon Ixus 132 Digital Camera Review for fishing

As a profesional photographer, I try to invest in the best gear for my work. I shoot with a Canon 6D and Canon 7D DSLR with various L lenses and studio equipment. However, when I am out fishing, a big and heavy and very expensive DSLR is the last thing that I want to take with me. For my fishing excursions, I favour small compact cameras with good image quality that I can stick in the pocket of my vest and take out qickly and use one handed if needed.

The Canon Ixus 132 is the cheapest Ixus in the range and can be bought for less than R1000. It is small, light and takes lithium batteries which is much better in use than AA batteries in my experience.  The batteries come with an external charger which is fantastic if you want to charge extra batteries while still using your camera. After looking at the various waterproof options that are all double the price or more of the Ixus, I decided that the extra outlay was not worth it. The little Ixus is way better in terms of image quality. Also, I have owned two waterproof compact cameras and both of them did not last very long.

The Canon Ixus 132 is a 16 megapixel camera with a native ISO range up to 1600 Iso 800 is usable but I prefer to stay below ISO 400. I shoot in P mode and keep the ISO at 200 for most of my shots. The images are then very clean with good colour accuracy and lots of detail. For low light I use the inbuilt flash. The flash recycles very fast and I don't have to wait for ages for it to re charge like I had to with my other cameras. 
The Ixus 132 has an 8 X zoom which is very handy. Please disable the digital zoom in the menu though.  I mostly use the camera at its wide angle setting for most of my shots. The battery lasts for about 200 to 300 shots which is great. On most trips I take from 50 to 100 shots. My older cameras with AA batteries would never last that long, especially when using the flash. The camera is very fast in operation and can be accessed and used with one hand which is a bonus when holding a bass with the other hand.

 

One of the features that I love about the camera is that is has a self timer function where you can set it to ten seconds and then it will take 3 pics in quick succession. This is fantastic if posing with a fish and there is no one to hold the camera. I just put the camera on a small portable tripod and fire away...

The inbuilt flash has a decent range and does what it is suposed to do.

 

The screen is easy to see in strong light (mostly) and at 2.7 inches is more than enough. The menu system and button layout is typically Canon and works very well. 

The on off button is easy to reach as it the zoom button on top of the camera. As a bonus the Ixus 132 shoots very nice 720P HD footage. The had footage is very clean and you can zoom in or out while recording. The video button is east to reach and easy to use at anytime. Just press the red button on the back of the camera to start and stop recording. If used on a tripod or handheld at its wides setting the HD footage can easily be used to make impressive videos. The HD footage reminds me a lot of the GO Pro Hero 3 footage but minus the heavily distorted fish-eye effect.

All in all, although not perfect, If shooting in auto mode the camera will often shoot in an Iso range that is too high for the conditions. If you leave the camera in P mode however you can select a low ISO and leave it there. The cameras exposure button is also very handy if you want to lighten or darken a scene. I find that the Canon Digital Ixus 132 is perfect for anyone who fishes and needs a small, compact and light, easy to use camera with good image quality and at the price it is a no brainier for me...

A pic from the Canon Ixus 132 used in P mode and with the flash to fill in the shadows on the anglers face.

This is how I use the camera most often, one handed and fairly close. Notice the colour accuracy and rich, crisp detail

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