Canon Digital IXUS 980 IS

If you're under the impression that size matters, Canon's all set to change that notion with the Canon Digital IXUS 980 IS. This ultra compact has left quite an impression on us, and here's why.

Build
For starters, this bundle of joy boasts of a small and sturdy frame (98 x 62 x 28 mm to be precise) and weighs a measly 205 grams, making it incredibly convenient to carry along. The form of any portable device - not just ultra compact cameras - is of utmost importance since a single flaw in design and a protruded button or sharp edge can make life miserable by latching on to the rim of your pocket every time you unsheathe it.

At first glance the IXUS 980 IS' body appears rectangular and rigid, but on closer observation you'd notice how both - its corners and the main frame - are slightly curved ensuring that no jutting edges bar it from gliding in and out of your pocket with ease. Even the buttons are placed with convenience in mind - they're all shallow and placed on the indented side of the camera's curvature, ensuring that they never extend outside the camera's profile and get pressed by accident while in your pocket.

Apart from just being placed to encourage portability, the buttons are also really easy to access. The power button and trigger are placed on the top, with a movable ring around the trigger to help zoom in and out without using another finger. On the backside of the camera are two dials - one that's switch based and is used to toggle between the camera's primary modes (i.e. Auto, Scene etc.) and a free moving ring below it that allows you to swap between secondary modes in Scene mode, and can alternately be used to increase and decrease values in Program and Manual mode. Most of your needs are taken care of by the lower dial, which hones a navigation D-pad in its center that allows you quick access to a few integral features such as ISO, Flash, Timer and Burst mode settings at a single touch.