Watch our video review for the Canon IXUS 500 HS

Reviewed by Paul Nuttall
10 April 2012

The Canon IXUS 500 HS is a compact camera that impresses at first sight. Not only is the model one of the most stylish currently on the market, but it also features a weighty specification to match its eye-catching looks. The combination of 10.1MP CMOS sensor, Canon’s HS technology, DIGIC 5 processor and 12x optical zoom results in both excellent image quality and a versatility up there with more advanced compacts. All of this does come at a price, and there are similarly specified compacts available for less, but if you’re happy to pay the premium you’ll be the owner of an excellent compact camera.