Canon revives its trending point-and-shoot compact – but it's a pricier downgrade that belongs in 2016

• Canon updates one of its cheap point-and-shoot PowerShots from 2016
• Key features include a 12x optical zoom and compact design
• The 2025 version is, in fact, a pricier downgrade

Canon has revived one of its cheap PowerShot point-and-shoots from 2016 with an updated model, the new PowerShot Elph 360 HS A – known as Ixus 285 HS A outside the US).

The almost 10-year-old original is one of a few trending compact cameras that are practically impossible to find after going viral (Kendall Jenner shoots with one, don't you know).

So, the new 'A' version of the camera is good news for many empty-handed fans – there should be plenty of stock of the 2025 point-and-shoot with 12x optical zoom.

Canon will surely hope it has acted swiftly enough to ride that TikTok wave, with fresh availability of the Elph 360 HS A / Ixus 285 HS A set for October.

Trust me though, any success the 2025 version has won't be because of its abilities. I can't call this an upgrade – it's practically a carbon copy of the original model, which wasn't even one of the best compacts in the mid 2010s.

Worse still, there are a couple of downgrades, plus its limited to just black or silver colorways (the original came in purple too). There's a higher price tag to boot, up from $359 to $379 (UK and Australia pricing TBC).

Power shoot again

Like the PowerShot Elph 360 HS / Ixus 285 HS, the new 'A' version packs a tiny 1/2.3-inch sensor with 20MP stills and 1080p video, plus a 12x optical zoom with a 25-300mm f/3.6-7 range.

All key features are essentially the same, meaning that in terms of photo quality, the only real draw to the point-and-shoot over your smartphone is its optical zoom. You'd think at the very least the new model would come with USB-C charging, but nope, we're still on micro USB. Yes, it's 2025.

Version A also switches from SD card media to micro SD – that's a downgrade in my book, even if users are unlikely to spot any impact on performance. A refresh to today's Wi-Fi standards also sees users miss out this time on Wi-Fi image transfers / direct printing to a PC. A second negligible downgrade, but a downgrade nonetheless.

Still, by reviving a now-popular point-and-shoot into a trending market, Canon is acting where most other brands are watching on from the sidelines. The truth is, Canon didn't really need to upgrade the new model – it could cash in by simply making its point-and-shoot PowerShot available again.

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