Need to buy the best digital compact camera?
Well it’s one of those decisions that you can easily put off as you are overwhelmed by too much information. You know that if you make a mistake it could mean that you end up scared of looking at sale prices as they drop.
So you need to find a quality digital camera that has the correct functionality for your needs and one that holds its price? So did I.
My children keep on growing and I felt that I was missing out recording the changes. So I found myself needing a new camera. I looked around, took some advice and thought I’d share the results of my endeavors with you. After looking around I came up with an excellent solution the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP Digital Camera (Black)
A good price, easy to use and packed with features to help me take great pictures.
I have been so happy with my purchase I wanted to share my compact digital camera review.
Here’s the Very Basic Summary
• Brand Name – Canon
• Model – ELPH 300 HS – BK
• Optical Sensor Resolution – 12.1 Mega Pixels
• Optical zoom – 5x
• Display Size – 2.7
• Width – 3.6 inches
• Height – 2.2 inches
• Weight – 5.0 pounds
Now let’s consider what you need to consider when buying a digital camera.
What are the different types of zoom?
Most digital camera adverts list different types of zoom. Being able to get close ups is a key feature that is important for most consumers. Well there are TWO types of zoom.
The optical zoom uses the lense or the optics of the camera to bring the subject closer. This is similar to a traditional SLA camera and is based on the physics of using polished glass to reflect the image. With the digital zoom the camera enlarges a portion of the image, thus ‘simulating’ optical zoom using electronics. Camera experts when asked which is best form of zoom say the ‘rule of thumb’ when using the zoom is always to use the optical zoom. They say when choosing between Optical and Digital zoom? There is no contest.
Only optical zoom matters when selecting a digital camera.
As with most things the more you pay the better the zoom you get. If you want to get that close up picture then it’s easy with the Canon PowerShot ELPH. It is promoted accurately as ‘the World’s thinnest digital camera with a 24mm ultra Wide-Angle lens and 5x Optical Zoom’. This level of zoom gets you close to your subject.
How to get a steady shot when you take your photos?
It’s important not to suffer from shaking hands that can distort your pictures. You can achieve this by resting the camera on a stand or level stable surface. Or you can let the camera help you. This digital camera has a really effective Optical Image Stabilizer. This functionality automatically removes the blurring that your old 35mm camera used to suffer from. I remember those days and I am sure you do to!
Great pictures even in low light
There are times when you need to take a photo and the light is not perfect. Maybe you want to take a picture outside in your garden when the sun is going down or when you are enjoying yourself at a party. Well this Canon camera has an automated feature that helps you. Canon has the HS System with a 12.1 MP CMOS. This is a real feature that offers value. It calculates light, automatically compensates allowing you to simply press the shutter – no dials or settings adjustments needed.
The number of Pixels is important for the Quality of your Photos
The PowerShot ELPH comes with a 12.1 MP (Mega Pixel) resolution. This is a technical measure. It means that each pixel captured is larger than on models with a lower rating. The greater the number of pixels means you can capture more light and this increased sensitivity leads to clearer, more refined images with less unwanted noise (interference).
With 12.1 mega pixels the Canon PowerShot ELPH currently has a market leading level for this perfect for this price band of camera.
Remember the greater the number of megapixels the greater the quality of pictures you can take. This also helps if you want to edit you pictures on your computer. You can crop your picture and then ‘blow up’ the resulting images. The more pixels in the original picture the greater the detail in your new manipulated image.
My research tells me that Canon are leaders in the use of this technology. It even helps when you want to capture ‘moving’ images.
No need for a flash in low light!
To support low light situations this camera has a DIGIC 4 Image processor. This technical feature provides you with improved image processing speed. This Canon Digital Camera also contains the processing and memory pieces in a layered format. This saves space within the memory, thereby allowing you to hold more images. The DIGIC 4 imaging processor also helps with other elements of taking great pictures. It provides scene detection, face detection, motion detection and improved video capabilities.
A camera with great video taking features
The Canon PowerShot ELPH is able to take full 1080p High Definition (HD) Video. This provides exceptional film quality. It offers stereo sound and an easy to use dedicated movie button for easy access. Zoom optically while shooting video and keep footage stabilized with Dynamic IS and there is a slow motion function. This means that you can have high definition quality images allowing you to play these on your flat screen TVs. This is fantastic for showing your videos to friends or posting you clips to share on Facebook or YouTube. In addition the camera also has a Super Slow Motion Movie feature. Whilst the camera records video at high speeds it allows you to have slow motion playback. This is a real bonus on a digital camera.
Experiencing the brilliance of Full 1080p HD video in a Canon PowerShot ELPH digital camera has never been easier. With the convenient dedicated movie button, you’ll be able to instantly record everyday moments in amazing life-like realism at a push of a button. You can also operate the optical zoom while shooting video so you can get in close. The Dynamic IS feature is there to automatically help keep your videos steady!
In Movie Mode the camera allows you to:
- Shoot in Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 30 frames per second for up to 14 minutes or 4GB per clip.
- Shoot in VGA quality (640 x 480) at 30 frames per second for up to 43 minutes
- Shoot in Super Slow Motion at approximately 240 frames per seconds.
Can I take pictures quickly?
The camera is an exceptional point and shoot camera. But it has another really useful feature. It allows you to get high-speed shots one after the other. 8 Frames per second! The technical description of the feature is a ‘Speed Burst Mode’. You’ve probably seen this on news footage as press photographers take rapid shots as a celebrity leaves a courtroom. Burst mode is a feature that’s sometimes called continuous or high-speed shooting. Burst mode is useful for taking photos of fast moving subjects where it is difficult to judge the correct timing to get a good photo. Because shots are taken sequentially, you get to choose which the best of the series to keep is. I used this feature recently when filming my son at a sports day. I got some great shots as he ran past me in his race.
Automated Features where the Camera helps you take the perfect picture
If you select this camera from the hundreds out there you will get the Smart AUTO feature. This offers you the ability to select from 32 predefined shooting situations. Smart Auto sets every thing up for you. It finds the subject, selects the scene mode, sets the shutter speed and aperture, adjusts automatically for color and brightness, can focus on faces and all you have to do is compose the shot and press the shutter button.
Now I have to admit that I haven’t used ALL the settings, I can recommend the snow and beach settings so the following list is taken from the ‘manual’. It does illustrate the flexibility Canon have built into the camera and the value it offers.
So now for that list of Predefined Settings…….
P Program - Access advanced exposure compensation features while shooting mostly automatically.
Movie Digest Mode - Records a video clip before capturing a still image and then combines one day’s worth of clips into a video.
Portrait - The camera sets a large aperture, focusing the subject and artistically blurring the background to make your subject pop.
Kids & Pets – Reduced focusing time freezes fast-moving subjects, so you won’t miss those special shots.
Smart Shutter – The camera automatically takes the photo when people smile, wink, or get into frame.
High-speed Burst - The camera shoots continuously at a high speed of approx. 8.2fps while you hold down the shutter.
Best Image Selection - The camera takes five photos in succession, and then chooses the best one out of the bunch.
Handheld Night Scene – Suppresses image blur even without the help of a tripod.
Low Light – For high quality image capture in an amazing range of dimly-lit situations.
Fisheye Effect – Add a classic photo distortion without a fisheye lens.
Miniature Effect for Movies & Stills- Emphasizes perspective for a miniature effect by blurring upper and bottom portions of videos and stills.
Toy Camera Effect – Simulates photos taken with “toy” or pinhole cameras, darkening the image at the edges to create a vignette effect.
Creative Light Effect – Transform background bright spots to stars, hearts, music motes and more.
Monochrome – Choose from three single-tone effects: Black-and-White, Sepia, or Blue.
Super Vivid – This intensifies existing hues, saturating the scene with bright colors.
Poster Effect – This combines several similar shades into one color, turning subtle gradations into eye-catching, scene-popping contrasts.
Color Accent – Choose to retain a single color in your image while other colors turn monochrome.
Color Swap – Select a color and replace it with a color you specify for special effects.
Beach - Get clear shots of people at a sunny beach without darkened faces.
Foliage – Capture brilliant shots of autumn foliage, greenery and blossoms.
Snow – Shoot clear snow scenes without darkened subjects or an unnatural bluish tint.
Fireworks - Grab brilliant images of skyrocketing fireworks.
Stitch Assist - Build awe-inspiring panoramas by neatly aligning sequential images.
Even if you never get to use all the settings knowing the camera can accommodate so many situations is reassuring and makes you comfortable with your choice.
Does this Digital Camera Look Good?
OK this is a bit superficial but who wants to look like a geek in front of their kids. Well the camera is sleek. It looks good, is easy to use, light and robust. It has a great quality 2.7 inch display. Canon advertises the camera as the: ‘World’s thinnest digital camera with a 24mm ultra Wide-Angle lens and 5x Optical Zoom and Optical Image Stabilizer’
I can’t confirm this claim but it is good for me. The camera looks good. Mine is in black but it does come in other colors, silver and red. It is smooth and has a simple, function yet eye-catching design. Once you hold it in your hands, you’ll understand how slim it is and how easy to use. It fits in your pants pocket or shirt. I think it ticks the design box. My kids borrow it from time to time so that’s positive.
A Summary of My Thoughts
My Positives
- The camera small and packed with USEFUL functionality
- If is a excellent camera for a reasonable price
- The camera takes great photos
- This really is simple and effective
- To me the video feature and quality is a real bonus
My Negatives
- The zoom on movie mode is thought to be a bit slow
- The image of the movie feature in low light can become a little grainy
- It is easy to cover the microphone on the top edge of the camera with your finger.
Other Reviews
The following reviews are taken from the Amazon website.
I bought the 300HS to be my sole photo and video camera. A trip to Disney and 400+ photos & video clips later, I declare it a success. This camera does everything well. With the 300HS, shots that should be easy are easy and they come out well. For shots that are difficult you can switch to manual mode and pick one of several presets for different conditions, or go fully manual and set the exposure, etc. directly. Every shot you’d expect a point & shoot to take, the 300HS takes well. As light levels go down, image quality degrades gracefully — there are no surprises. The shutter is responsive enough and the camera & flash recycle quickly enough for most uses. I’ve found no annoying quirks with this camera, it seems to do everything well.
By William Hees
If you are wanting zoom and continuous AF with your video this camera is the one you want compared to the 100 HS which doesn’t allow you to zoom. The continuous AF with face recognition is stellar with this camera in video mode. I was videoing my wife while she was driving. It focused on her face. I switched to the scenery outside. It immediately focused on that. I then went back to my wife and it found her face and focused on it right away. I even videoed her reflection in the rear view mirror and it found her face in the mirror no problem and focused on it. AMAZING!!!!
By J Gebauer
The last time I looked the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS had achieved the following
Amazon customer ratings.
Ease of use – 4.6 out of 5 stars
Image quality – 4.2 out of 5 stars
Size and weight – 4.9 out of 5 stars
Design layout – 4.5 out of 5 stars
The best place for reviews from others who actually use the product is Amazon.
Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP Digital Camera (Black)
Click here to read more.
Where can I buy the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP Digital Camera?
You can buy this Canon Powershot Digital Camera on Amazon. At the moment they offer free shipping and from what I can tell when comparing prices with other online merchants, Amazon do currently have the best deal especially with the free shipping option.
Click here to view on Amazon.
