Canon's late APS IXUS compact of 2002 — capsule body, sliding lens cover, 23.5-54mm zoom; ELPH Z3 in the US
The Canon IXUS III of March 2002 was one of the last APS film cameras in the IXUS line, arriving just as digital compacts were taking over. It broke from the classic IXUS look with a longer, lower capsule-shaped body in a slim 2:1 aspect ratio and, for the first time in the series, a sliding cover protecting the lens. It was sold as the ELPH Z3 in the Americas and IXY i in Japan.
The collapsible Canon zoom covers 23.5-54mm at f/4.8-7.6 and includes two aspherical elements, with zooming controlled by a circular rocker on the back beside the LCD settings display. Autofocus offers focus lock with a minimum distance of about 0.45m, the shutter runs from 2 seconds to 1/660, and APS film from ISO 25 to 10000 is read automatically. It has a built-in flash, motorised winding, CR2 power, and weighs 150g at 98x50x33.4mm.
The IXUS III appeals to collectors of late APS designs and anyone who values a genuinely pocketable zoom compact with a protected lens. The slow tele end of the zoom limits indoor and low-light shooting without flash, but in daylight it is an easy, stylish street and travel camera with the APS format-switch extras.
APS film was discontinued in 2011; only expired cartridges remain and processing is scarce, so many IXUS III examples trade as display or collection pieces. On a working example confirm it powers on with a fresh CR2, the sliding lens cover moves smoothly, the lens extends and zooms, the flash charges, and the rear LCD panel displays without bleed.