As is ever the case with Canon’s IXUS range of compacts, the IXUS 510HS places a heavy emphasis on design. The compact, which is available in matte black or Stormtrooper white, is so compact as to facilitate the use of microSD memory card. While it may have a micro design, the same cannot be said about the camera’s specification.

The model features a 10.1MP backlit CMOS sensor and Canon’s DIGIC 5 processor, with the pair combining in what Canon labels its ‘HS system’. The compact features a 12x optical zoom, covering a focal range of 28-336mm in equivalent terms, which itself is supported by Canon’s Intelligent IS system.

The rear of the camera is consumed in its entirety by the 510HS’s 3.2in touchscreen LCD, and completing the high-end specification is HD video capture at a resolution of 1080p, along with Wi-Fi connectivity for wireless sharing of images.

While the IXUS 510HS generally performs well in use, the touchscreen LCD is disappointing – it’s far from the most responsive on the market and often takes several presses to get the desired function, while menu items are often hard to locate. Considering there’s no physical interface to access said functionality, the touchscreen is certainly not going to be to everyone’s taste.

As is often the case with Canon compacts, the IXUS 510HS is pleasingly reliable with regards to imaging. Exposures are regularly correct, while the tonal range on display is also pleasing. Colours can appear vibrant at times, but not overly so, and in general performance at high ISO settings is also good.