Canon IXUS 135 HD Wi-Fi Review

Features
Handling
Performance
Verdict
Specification

The Canon IXUS 135 is an ultra compact camera with an 8x optical zoom lens, 16 megapixel sensor, built in Wi-Fi, and a 2.7inch screen on the back, it's available in blue, black, silver and pink. Find out how it performs in our review. The Canon IXUS 135 is available from Currys / PC World for around £119, and is a Wi-Fi version of the Canon IXUS 132.

The Canon IXUS 135 has a wide-angle 8x optical zoom lens, with optical image stabilisation. Video recording records at 720p at 25fps with sound, and can be started using the dedicated video recording button on the back.
The compact camera fits easily into pockets and the metal body is available in a number of colours. With intelligent Auto the camera will automatically choose from 32 scene modes. The camera can shoot as close as 1cm in macro mode, and features an Eco mode to extend battery life from 200 shots to 275 shots.
The camera also comes with built-in Wi-Fi for easy image sharing and ability to geotag your images using the GPS on your smartphone.

16 megapixel CCD sensor8x zoom lens, 28-224mm equivalentIntelligent optical image stabilisation (3-stop)2.7inch LCD 230k dots screenSmart Auto (32 scenes)HD movies (720p) with movie button1cm macro modeISO100 - ISO1600Fun and creative modesWi-Fi connectivityEco modeAvailable in silver, black, blue, pink
Handling - The Canon IXUS 135 has a compact metal body, easily small and light enough to carry in your pocket, but there isn't anything which aids grip and use of the provided wrist strap is recommended. On the rear of the camera is a sliding switch which allows to go straight to the Auto mode. The other modes are selectable from the menu when not in Auto mode. There are also movie record, playback and menu buttons as well as a d-pad with function / set in the middle. The d-pad gives quick access when pressed to macro, flash, display and exposure compensation or Wi-Fi in playback mode.

Menus – Built in hints and tips explains each option on the camera making it easy to use. The camera gives an overlay of the most common options when you press the Func/Set button, making it easy to choose and change settings. The menu button lets you set additional photo and setup options. In playback there are also playback and print options.

Wi-Fi - To use the Wi-Fi you need to enter playback and press the Wi-Fi button (which also acts as the exposure compensation button when shooting). The screen which appears shows you the varying options available, represented by symbols - not particularly easy to understand initially. You can connect the camera to an existing Wi-Fi network, or create an ad-hoc Wi-Fi network, then connect the camera to your phone. Using the Canon Camera Window app on iOS or Android, you can view images and transfer them to your smartphone or share them, as well use the smartphone as GPS logger.

Battery life - Battery life is rated at 200 shots according to CIPA / Canon testing, and 275 shots in Eco mode. Extended use of Wi-Fi is likely to drain the battery further.
Speed - We took a number of shots to test the camera's responsiveness, from switch on to first photo, shot to shot, focusing speed etc. We take a number of shots and then use the average to ensure accurate and consistent tests, making it easy to compare with other cameras.
Wide - Focus / Shutter ResponseFull zoom - Focus / Shutter ResponseSwitch on Time to Taking a Photo
Focus and shutter response are both reasonably quick, although shot to shot time is a little slow, and continuous shooting isn't very quick.
Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings. High-Res'>
Portrait with flash | 1/60 sec | f/4.0 | 11.3 mm | ISO 100
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Hall | 1/800 sec | f/3.5 | 6.1 mm | ISO 100
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Drive Norm IMG 0010 | 1/250 sec | f/3.2 | 5.0 mm | ISO 100
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Drive Icontrast | 1/500 sec | f/3.2 | 5.0 mm | ISO 200
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Sample Photos - Portriat photos with flash show some some red-eye. Colour is good, as you would expect from a Canon camera. High-Res'>
Wide | 1/1000 sec | f/3.2 | 5.7 mm | ISO 100
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8x Zoom | 1/320 sec | f/6.9 | 40.0 mm | ISO 100
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16x Zoom | 1/320 sec | f/6.9 | 40.0 mm | ISO 100
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Trees | 1/40 sec | f/3.2 | 5.0 mm | ISO 100
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Macro Closest | 1/30 sec | f/3.2 | 5.0 mm | ISO 400
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Macro Further Back | 1/30 sec | f/3.2 | 5.0 mm | ISO 100
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Lens Performance - To improve dynamic range, it's possible to use the iContrast setting to retain shadow detail. There is slight vignetting at the wide-angle end of the lens, however barrel and pincushion distortion are minimal, and do not appear to affect the majority of shots. Detail is reasonable, although images become softer towards the corners. Purple fringing can be seen in the shot of the trees, however these weren't too noticeable in other shots.  High-Res'>
1/8 sec | f/4.0 | 15.6 mm | ISO 100
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1/15 sec | f/4.0 | 15.6 mm | ISO 200
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1/30 sec | f/4.0 | 15.6 mm | ISO 400
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1/60 sec | f/4.0 | 15.6 mm | ISO 800
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1/125 sec | f/4.0 | 15.6 mm | ISO 1600
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ISO Noise Performance - Noise is low at ISO100, but increases at ISO200. At ISO400 noise increases further, and detail suffers as a result. Noise becomes quite dominant at ISO800, and due to excessive noise ISO1600 is worth avoiding.
As expected with a CCD sensor camera, noise performance isn't great, and the camera limits you to ISO1600 as the highest ISO setting, unless you use the candlelight scene mode, where the image size is reduced to 4 megapixels and ISO goes up to ISO3200.
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Awb Tungsten | 1/25 sec | f/3.5 | 8.0 mm | ISO 200
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Wb Tungsten | 1/20 sec | f/3.5 | 8.0 mm | ISO 200
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Awb Fluorescent | 1/8 sec | f/3.5 | 8.0 mm | ISO 200
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Wb Fluorescent | 1/8 sec | f/3.5 | 8.0 mm | ISO 200
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White Balance Performance - Auto White Balance (AWB) gives a warm result under tungsten light, with the tungsten preset giving a much more neutral result. AWB performs well under fluorescent lighting, with the preset giving a very slight colour cast. High-Res'>
Miniature | 1/250 sec | f/6.9 | 40.0 mm | ISO 200
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Black And White | 1/800 sec | f/3.2 | 5.0 mm | ISO 100
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Colour Accent (green) | 1/800 sec | f/3.2 | 5.0 mm | ISO 100
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Colour Swap (green for purple) | 1/800 sec | f/3.2 | 5.0 mm | ISO 100
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Fisheye | 1/800 sec | f/3.2 | 5.0 mm | ISO 100
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Poster Effect | 1/800 sec | f/3.2 | 5.0 mm | ISO 100
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Standard | 1/1000 sec | f/3.2 | 5.0 mm | ISO 100
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Super Vivid | 1/800 sec | f/3.2 | 5.0 mm | ISO 100
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Toy Camera | 1/800 sec | f/3.2 | 5.0 mm | ISO 100
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Digital Filters - The camera has a number of colour options, as well as effects, as shown above, giving some creative options. The camera doesn't feature a built in HDR mode or automatic panoramic stitching.
Video - Video is recorded at 1280 x 720, at 25 fps with mono sound and optical zoom. Quality appears good and once you have used the full optical zoom, digital zoom is then available, an example can be found on the ePHOTOzine YouTube channel.

The Canon IXUS 135 is available for around £119 which makes it good value for money as one of the cheapest cameras available with built in Wi-Fi - if you don't need Wi-Fi then the Canon IXUS 132 is available for less. Alternative compact cameras with a longer than normal optical zoom and Wi-Fi includes: Samsung WB30F, 10x optical zoom, Wi-Fi, £119, Panasonic Lumix SZ5, 10x optical zoom, Wi-Fi, £169, Canon IXUS 255 HS, 10x optical zoom, Wi-Fi, £210, or for additional options have a look at our Top 11 Best Wi-Fi Cameras.
You'll also need to buy a memory card and a case or bag to keep your camera safe and protected - have a look at our complete guide to camera bags.
The Canon IXUS 135 is a compact and stylish camera with a good amount of optical zoom, thanks to the 8x optical zoom lens. Images are kept sharp thanks to optical image stabilisation, and the rear of the camera features a 2.7inch screen with 230k dot resolution. If the camera featured a larger screen it would lose some of its compactness, so we feel this is a compromise worth putting up with, although a higher resolution would be nice. Despite the small size the buttons and controls are a decent size and this makes the camera easy to use. The IXUS 135 with Wi-Fi doesn't cost too much more than the IXUS 132, priced around £119, which is quite good value for money for a compact and stylish metal bodied camera with Wi-Fi. However, there are competitors available with additional features such as Full HD video, and high speed shooting, although these tend to cost a little more. Eco mode extends battery life
Extremely compact
Optical image stabilisation
8x optical zoom lens
Good colour reproduction
Available in a number of colours
Good value for money
Good macro mode
Built in Wi-Fi Little grip
No auto panoramic mode
720p video
Low resolution screen
Wi-Fi menu icons not explained Centre-weighted - AverageSpotAutoManualOutdoors/DaylightCloudyIncandescentFluorescentRechargeable Li-ion Battery NB-11L (battery and charger supplied)
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