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Canon Digital IXUS 85 IS Point & Shoot Camera

The Canon Digital IXUS 85 IS is a 10MP 1/2.3 inch compact camera — with 480p video. Check GearFocus for current availability, with buyer protection on every purchase.

Canon Digital IXUS 85 IS Point & Shoot Camera

Canon Digital IXUS 85 IS Point & Shoot Camera

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Camera Overview — Canon Digital IXUS 85 IS

The Canon Digital IXUS 85 IS is a 10MP point-and-shoot compact camera built around a 1/2.3-inch sensor and powered by Canon's DIGIC III image processor. Housed in a metal body measuring just 86 x 54 x 20 mm and weighing 170g, it's a genuinely pocketable camera that doesn't feel cheap in the hand. The ISO range runs from 80 to 1600, giving shooters a reasonable spread of sensitivity options for varied lighting conditions.

Optical image stabilization is on board to help reduce camera shake, which is a meaningful addition at this compact size. The autofocus system uses contrast detection with face detection AF across 9 focus points, making it straightforward to get sharp shots of people without manual fiddling. On the back, a 2.5-inch TFT LCD with 230,000-dot resolution serves as the primary framing tool, though an optical tunnel viewfinder is also available.

The camera accepts SD and SDHC cards for storage and connects via USB. Video capture tops out at 480p at 30fps with 8-bit color. The built-in flash supports Auto, On, Off, FE Lock, Slow, and Red Eye Reduction modes.

Battery life is rated at approximately 300 shots per charge using the Lithium-Ion NB-6L pack.

Key Features — Canon Digital IXUS 85 IS

10MP 1/2.3-Inch Sensor: Delivers 3648x2736 pixel images suitable for standard prints and everyday sharing.

Optical Image Stabilization: Reduces blur caused by camera shake, particularly useful in low-light or telephoto shooting situations.

DIGIC III Processor: Canon's imaging processor from this era handles noise reduction and color rendering for improved image quality.

Face Detection Autofocus: Automatically detects and focuses on faces in the scene, simplifying portrait and group shots.

Compact Metal Body: At 86 x 54 x 20 mm and 170g, the all-metal construction keeps the camera genuinely pocketable while feeling solid in hand.

ISO 80–1600 Range: Provides flexibility to shoot in a variety of lighting conditions from bright daylight to dimmer indoor environments.

Camera Specifications — Canon Digital IXUS 85 IS

Canon Digital IXUS 85 IS full specifications
SpecDetail
Use CasesTravel
TypePoint and Shoot
Sensor1/2.3 inch
Resolution10MP
ProcessorDIGIC III
ISO Range80 – 1600
AF SystemContrast Detection, Face Detection AF
AF Points9 points
Max Photo Resolution3648x2736
Burst Rate1.4 fps
Max Video Resolution480p
Max Frame Rate30fps

Description — Canon Digital IXUS 85 IS

The Canon Digital IXUS 85 IS is a compact point-and-shoot camera built around a 10MP sensor housed in a 1/2.3-inch type sensor, processed by Canon's DIGIC III image processor. The metal construction body measures just 86 x 54 x 20 mm and weighs 170g, making it one of the easier cameras to slip into a pocket or bag. Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is included to counter camera shake during handheld shooting. The autofocus system combines contrast detection with Face Detection AF, using 9 focus points to lock onto subjects accurately.

Sensitivity runs from ISO 80 to 1600, and the built-in flash covers six modes: Auto, On, Off, FE Lock, Slow, and Red Eye Reduction. The 2.5-inch TFT LCD at 230,000 dots handles most framing duties, backed up by an optical tunnel viewfinder. Still images can be captured at up to 3648 x 2736 pixels across five color profiles.

Video records at up to 480p at 30fps in 8-bit color. Storage is handled by SD and SDHC cards, and the camera uses a Lithium-Ion NB-6L battery rated for approximately 300 shots per charge.

Pros — Canon Digital IXUS 85 IS

  • ✓Metal construction keeps the body solid and durable despite compact 86 x 54 x 20 mm dimensions
  • ✓Optical image stabilization (OIS) helps reduce blur from camera shake
  • ✓Face Detection AF across 9 focus points simplifies portrait shooting

Cons — Canon Digital IXUS 85 IS

  • ✗Video is limited to 480p at 30fps, which is well below modern standards
  • ✗No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity, so sharing images requires USB transfer or card removal
  • ✗Battery rated for approximately 300 shots (CIPA), which may require carrying a spare on longer outings

Videos — Canon Digital IXUS 85 IS

My first CCD camera | Canon IXUS 85 IS — Broccoli Beers

Resources & Downloads — Canon Digital IXUS 85 IS

Manuals & Guides

Frequently Asked Questions — Canon Digital IXUS 85 IS

What memory cards does the Canon IXUS 85 IS accept?+
The IXUS 85 IS supports SD and SDHC cards. It does not support SDXC, so card capacity is limited to what the SDHC standard accommodates.
Does this camera have image stabilization?+
Yes, the IXUS 85 IS features Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). This is optical rather than digital stabilization, which generally produces better results by compensating for camera movement before the image is captured.
What is the maximum photo resolution this camera can shoot?+
The maximum still image resolution is 3648 x 2736 pixels, which corresponds to the camera's 10MP sensor. The sensor is a 1/2.3-inch type processed by the DIGIC III engine.
Can I use this camera without looking at the LCD screen?+
Yes, the IXUS 85 IS includes an optical tunnel viewfinder as an alternative to the 2.5-inch rear LCD. This can be useful in bright sunlight when the screen is harder to see.
What color profile options are available for photos and video?+
For still images, the camera offers Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, and Black & White profiles. Video recording supports Standard, Sepia, and Black & White color profiles at up to 480p and 30fps.
How does the camera connect to a computer?+
The IXUS 85 IS connects via USB. It does not have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so USB or physical card removal are the available methods for transferring images to a computer.

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