The Canon IXUS, the first of the IXUS APS cameras (also marketed as the Canon ELPH in North America and the Canon IXY in Japan), was Canon's stylish and compact contribution to the launch of the APS film system in May 1996. At the time of its release, it was the world's smallest autofocus zoom compact camera, earning widespread praise for its elegant stainless steel design and pocket-sized form factor.