Canon Powershot A300 Digital Camera [3MP]

The camera is turned on via a sliding lens protector at the front that forces the camera into life. Two AA batteries and the CF compartment are housed behind a sturdy door that's all but guaranteed to last the lifespan of the camera without snapping or falling apart. The other side the camera offers a DC and USB port, but unfortunately no video-out to watch your pictures on the TV.

On the rear of the camera, the user is offered a 1.5" TFT screen that's sharp and responsive to changing lights and focuses, as well as, a host of buttons--most of which are self explanatory and you can easily access flash modes, picture review and other options like this without having to plough through menu after menu.

The camera offers a 33 mm f3.6 fixed focal length lens with a 5.1 digital zoom option that offers the equivalent of a 33 mm-168 mm lens in a 35 mm camera. This combined with a shutter speed range of 1-1/2000 sec and ISO ratings of 50-400 and a range of pre-programmed settings to cope with landscapes and portrait shooting makes for a great little camera for beginners. For the more adventurous there is a macro mode up to 5 cm, as well as the option to record up to three minutes of movie clips with sound.

For an autofocus fixed lens camera with a digital zoom the quality is pretty good. Detail is captured well and greens are differential when it comes to photographing landscapes. The digital zoom is useful for getting into the action, but should not be relied upon for crisp images. If you are starting out and need a camera that will get you going, this is as good a place as any to start. --Jason Denwood

Manufacturer's Description
The new PowerShot A300 raises the bar for entry-level digital cameras. The A300 incorporates a number of advanced features into a low-cost, high quality digital camera, perfect for first time buyers and digital aficionados alike. With its 3.2 Megapixel CCD, and high quality fixed length autofocus f/3.6 lens (35mm equivalent of 33mm) the A300 provides high-resolution images with extraordinary clarity. A 5.1x digital zoom with macro focusing down to 2, helps you record even the smallest details. And with its advanced 5-point AiAF autofocus, the A300 ensures that your subject need not be centered to be in focus.Get up close and personal with the Canon A300's powerful and smooth 5.1x Digital Zoom. Speedy and easy to control, the A300's Digital Zoom gives you the flexibility to capture the shots you want. Canon A300's improved and advanced 5-point AiAF system makes precise focusing possible regardless of the position of the subject. This intelligent feature lets you achieve accurate focus even with off-center subjects. The A300's DIGIC Imaging Processor revolutionizes how you shoot digital by allowing the camera to process images faster and improving the accuracy of the autofocus. DIGIC also reduces the effects on noise in your images. iSAPS technology is an entirely new scene-recognition technology developed for digital cameras by Canon. Using an internal database of thousands of different photos, iSAPS works with the fast DIGIC Imaging Processor to improve focus speed and accuracy, as well as exposure and white balance. Capture the moment in motion with sound with A300's improved Movie Mode. Take up to 3 minutes of pristine image and sound to create your own digital movies!

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• Electronics & Photo > Photography > Digital Cameras > Up to 3.9 Megapixel