The Canon ELPH 110 HS / IXUS 125 HS is, until Canon retires the 100 HS / 115 HS, one step up from the entry level model. With a 16.1 Megapixel sensor, 5x stabilised optical zoom, and 3 inch LCD screen it’s a sylish and capable compact. It also has a 1080p24 best quality video mode with Super Slow motion and other effects modes.

A range of novice-friendly features including Scene detection, Face detect AF, Face ID, Movie Digest mode and a wide range of scene and effects modes complete the picture.

Compared with other models in the Canon compact range the ELPH 110 HS / IXUS 125 HS strikes an excellent balance between quality, features and price. Overall image quality is a step up from CCD-based PowerShots and it’s more affordable than higher end IXUS models touting larger zoom ranges, touch screens and other refinements.

Compared to Canon ELPH 520 HS / IXUS 500 HS

Compared with the ELPH 110 HS / IXUS 125 HS, the metal-bodied ELPH 520 HS / IXUS 500 HS looks an altogether different camera. It’s a little heavier and looks more boxy, lacking the rounded edges of the ELPH 110 HS / IXUS 125 HS, but is in fact smaller in all three dimensions, quite a feat given that it packs in a 12x optical zoom compared with the 5x zoom on the ELPH 110 HS / IXUS 125 HS. Both cameras feature Canon’s Intelligent IS optical stabilsation.

Then there’s the ELPH 520 HS / IXUS 500 HS’s 10.1 (effective) Megapixels sensor, which is in fact a 16.8 megapixel 1/2.3 inch CMOS sensor – the camera uses only the central portion of the sensor, which effectively means it has a smaller sensor than most other compact cameras. The picture quality of the ELPH 520 HS / IXUS 500 HS is on a par with the ELPH 110 HS / IXUS 125 HS, though the images are of course smaller.

Looking across the range it’s clear that Canon’s strategy is to differentiate models purely on the basis of hardware. All the ELPH / IXUS models with the Digic 5 processor (only the older ELPH 100 / IXUS 115 and ELPH 310 HS / IXUS 230 HS use the DIGIC 4) share the same set of features including Intelligent IS, Smart Auto scene detection, 1080p24 video, movie zoom, Handheld NightScene, High-speed Burst and the same range of scene and effect modes. There are some minor differences -for example the ELPH 520 HS / IXUS 500 HS has a faster High Speed Burst rate at lower image resolution than the ELPH 10 HS / IXUS 125 HS

That makes it an easier choice in many ways as you really only need to answer three questions. Do you prefer the slightly classier metal body and styling of the ELPH 520 HS / IXUS 500 HS? Do you want a 12x zoom? And have you got a little extra in the budget?

See my Canon ELPH 520 HS / IXUS 500 HS review for full details.

Canon ELPH 110 HS / IXUS 125 HS verdict

The Canon ELPH 110 HS / IXUS 125 HS is likely to be the entry level IXUS model when Canon drops the ageing ELPH 100 HS / IXUS 115 HS from the line-up. It shares a core set of features – including Optical image stabilisation, 1080p24 HD movies, Scene detection and Face ID – with the more expensive ELPH / IXUS models further up the range.

Its image quality is excellent and, crucially, a big step up from what you’ll get with one of the CCD-based PowerShot A-series models, so if you’re undecided between an A-series PowerShot and an ELPH / IXUS, the quality issue, combined with the ELPH 110 HS / IXUS 125 HS’s excellent low-light performance could swing it.

All said, the ELPH 110 HS / IXUS 125 HS provides a great balance of features at a very affordable price point for a premium compact and is a worthy recipient of a Cameralabs Highly Recommended award. While it’s still around though, the ELPH 100 HS / IXUS 115 HS is also well worth considering if discounted, though it only has a 4x zoom which can’t be used while movie recording and lacks Digic 5 features like Face ID and Intelligent IS.

Good points 5x stabilised optical zoom. Smart Auto in Movie modes. Optical zoom while movie recording. Excellent image quality. Bad points Poor battery life. Flimsy card compartment door. Flush buttons can be difficult to press. Reduced resolution on Burst mode.		Scores (relative to 2012 compacts)
		Build quality: Image quality: Handling: Specification: Value: Overall:	17 / 20 17 / 20 16 / 20 17 / 20 16 / 20 83%