Canon Powershot A300 Review

Features and Controls

The Powershot A300 is equipped with a 5mm f/3.6 (33mm in 35mm format) fixed focal length lens with a 5.1x digital zoom. The all-glass lens is designed with 5 elements in 5 groups , including one aspherical element. The lens is not threaded for any accessories to screw into. When powered down, the lens is protected by a sliding lens barrier.

The 5-point AiAF focusing system (or user-selectable Center AF point) works from 7.9in. to infinity in normal mode and in Macro its focus range is 2 inches to 7.9 inches. There's a built in focus assist illuminator, see the picture of the flash below.

The built in flash has modes for Auto, Auto Red-Eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow-synchro and Forced Off. The working range is 0.6 to 6.7 feet when the ISO sensitivity is set to Auto. You'll notice a dark circle in the upper left of the flash, this is the focus assist illuminator that shines an orange colored beam in low-light conditions.

The real image optical zoom viewfinder is large and bright with central focusing marks. It shows approximately 80% of the captured image. There is no diopter adjustment. The two LEDs indicate focus and flash status.

Controls on the back: DISPlay button toggles the color LCD OFF/ON and also controls the amount of data overlayed on the screen. The FUNCtion button gives you access to options for selecting the exposure compensation, white balance, image size, quality, ISO speed and color effects. In playback mode it is the image delete button. The rocker switch digitally zooms in and out, in play it magnifies the image up to 10x or calls up the index screen. The button to the right puts the camera in Play mode. The MENU button calls up the onscreen menus in record or playback mode. Navigate the menu options with the 4-way selector switch and accept selections with the SET button. If not in menu mode the SET button accesses the shooting modes (Auto, Manual and Stitch assist).

If in Manual record the 4-way selector is used to change the metering modes, flash modes, drive modes and focus modes.

On top of the camera is the shutter release button and the Movie / Still record mode switch.

The Powershot A300 has a CompactFlash Type I card slot and Canon supplies an 16MB card. There is no ejector button but they have added a 'pinch indent' around the card that makes card removal very easy.

The I/O ports include the DIGITAL (USB 1.1 compatible) port for connection to the host computer's USB port or to the Canon CP-100 4x6" Printer or BJ Photo Direct printers. There is no VIDEO OUT capabilities. An optional AC adapter, Canon CA-PS800, can be connected to the DC IN port.

The batteries are housed under the same door as the CF card with a latched inner door that keeps the batteries in place when opening the outer door. Unlike most of Canon's other compact cameras the A200 is powered by two AA type batteries. A set of alkaline batteries are supplied but I highly recommend the use of high-capacity NiMH rechargeables which are more environmentally friendly.