Like death or taxes you an be sure that the number of mega pixels per pound will continue to rise over the coming months. While searching for the latest digital cameras to emerge on the market we came across the Canon Ixus I which is now offering a 4 mega pixel resolution for just over £200.

Canon are a big name in cameras we don't need to tell you that but what might surprise you is that they like many other camera manufacturers have decided the future is digital. So much so that the older SLR designed are being phased out and soon only digital cameras will be available, of course the top end cameras will continue to use the optics from the SLR's but with a high resolution (6 - 7 mega pixel) digital back.

The Canon Ixus I is very much a consumer digital product pitched squarely at the recreation photographer and as such the Ixus I is designed to fill this brief firstly its size, at 90.3 x 47.0 x 18.5 mm and weighing 100 grams. The unit is nicely pocketable which is essential for this market, it feels surprisingly robust and metallic despite the use of plastics elsewhere within the unit. The battery will last for a full day of snapping and possible even some video capture using the Ixus video mode which can capture AVI's for up to 3 minutes. Although we'd give that a miss and use a video camera, when it comes to recharging you have to remove the battery and plug it in, best to let it fully discharge as the battery is not a lithium Ion.

Controls are fairly intuitive with most of them driven from the LCD screen which is sunk in the back of the Ixus I, the 1.5 inch TFT gives you full access to the camera many variable, you can chose the point and shoot method or opt for a more SLR style control within individual white balance, focus, exposure setting. Image quality is superb for the size of this unit, the 4 mega pixel CCD is combined with a 5.7 x digital zoom which works well enough but we like others have decided its best to work at the highest possible resolution and crop the image afterwards.

But most of those who purchase the Ixus I will work in point and click fashion so the quality and ability of the auto focus becomes a big issue. Canon has deployed its AiAF Artificial intelligence auto focus, now this doesn't mean the camera will take the picture for you but its does mean the five point auto focus can cope with off centre focusing and performs very well in low light conditions. Getting photos out of your Ixus is simple enough, either connect the USB lead and suck them out or transfer the 32mb storage card to your PC (with suitably equipped memory reader) and last but not least you can use canon's pictbridge capability which is an industry standard way of printing direct from your camera to an enabled printer via USB.

In terms of style the small Ixus really is a beauty content winner available in 3 colours (bronze, silver and black) it feels great in the hand and the main control are ergonomically laid out for best effect, some of the controls for the screen are a little small but you do get used to this fairly quickly, produce the Ixus from your pocket while amongst friends and just watch the admiring glances and all the time you know that the image you capture will be high resolution and lovely and sharp.

Overall it feels like Cannon have got it right a good level of features, excellent size and styling and the right price point, the Canon Ixus I has to get a thumbs up.

Canon IXUS I Digital Camera, Platinum