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Canon PowerShot S300

Canon makes a major update to their original S100 "Digital ELPH": More zoom, more controls, and better photos. Hard to beat!

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Page 1:Intro and Highlights

Review First Posted: 4/5/2001

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2.1-megapixel CCD for 1600 x 1200-pixel images.
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3x telescoping zoom lens (35-105mm equivalent).
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Same superior build quality, with all-metal body.
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Significantly improved image quality, excellent color.


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Manufacturer Overview
Canon U.S.A. has become a strong contender in the digital market over the last two and a half years, developing a broad line of digital cameras, all designed and engineered to live up to the high standards Canon's known for in the film world. Last year saw its introduction of several innovative consumer-level cameras, as well as the extraordinary EOS D30 digital SLR. In the "prosumer" realm, the 3.3 megapixel G1 gladdened the hearts of many of the Canon faithful, providing a "no excuses" high-end design with all the features serious enthusiasts look for in digicam hardware. Finally, the diminutive PowerShot S100, also called the "Digital ELPH" set a new standard of portability and ruggedness for ultra-compact digicams.

Roughly a year after the introduction of the original S100, Canon's revamped the design, making a number of significant improvements. The lens has been increased from a 2x to a 3x zoom, a "mode dial"on the camera's top and an added button on the back panel make for easier camera operation, improved macro focusing range, more options for image size and quality, all in an only slightly larger & heavier package. At the same time, to our eye, image quality has noticeably improved, with better sharpness and color rendition. Overall, a very impressive little camera that trades off virtually nothing in image quality, functionality, or speed to achieve it's tiny size.


High Points

  • 2.1 megapixel CCD delivering up to 1,600 x 1,200 resolution images.
  • Real image optical and 1.5 inch color LCD viewfinders.
  • Canon 3x, 5.4-16.2mm zoom lens (35-105mm equivalent) with f/2.8-f/4.7 maximum aperture.
  • Up to 2.5x digital telephoto.
  • Shutter speeds from one to 1/1,500 seconds.
  • Sensitivity equivalent to ISO 100.
  • Built-in flash with five operating modes.
  • Six user-selectable white balance settings.
  • Movie with sound recording mode.
  • Stitch Assist mode for panoramic shots.
  • Continuous Shooting mode.
  • Three image quality recording modes in JPEG format.
  • CompactFlash type I image storage with an 8MB card included.
  • USB and NTSC video cables included.
  • Power via Canon NB-1L battery pack, charger included.
  • USB cable and interface software for connecting to a computer, as well as ArcSoft PhotoImpression and VideoImpression, and Canon's Remote Capture software.
  • DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) Compatibility.



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