Canon PowerShot S300 2MP Digital ELPH Camera Kit w/ 3x Optical Zoom
- 2.1 megapixel sensor creates 1600 x 1200 images for prints at sizes up to 8 x 10
- 3x optical plus 2.5x digital zoom lens with autofocus
- Included 8 MB CompactFlash memory card holds 12 images at default resolution
- Connects with Macs and PCs via USB port
- Uses NB-1L rechargeable lithium-ion battery, included; movie mode can record up to 30 seconds of 160 x 120 footage
The PowerShot S300 is Canon’s long-awaited follow-up to the wildly popular S100. Not content to rest on their laurels, Canon has spent the time to address some of the shortcomings in the original Digital Elph camera.
The biggest new feature is the 3x optical zoom. While only a small step up from the original 2x, the new zoom requires a slightly enlarged body. Also added is a movie mode. The new movie mode allows up to 30 seconds of footage to be recorded at a resolution of 160 x 120. You can also record at 320 x 240 or 640 x 480 resolution, but the recording time shortens correspondingly.
The diminutive 1.5-inch color LCD screen remains small. However, the control scheme is slightly modified to incorporate the camera’s new capabilities–a wheel now controls the camera mode and has a power button in its center. The S300 includes several white-balance presets, exposure compensation of +/- 2 EV in 1/3 EV increments, and a black-and-white mode. Essentially, the S300 is a classy digital point-and-shoot with enough features and control for most hobbyists.
List Price: $ 699.99
Price: $ 699.99
Canon EOS D30 3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
- 3.3 megapixel sensor creates 2,160 x 1,440 pixel images for prints at 8 x 10 inches and beyond
- Compatible with all Canon EF lenses
- Compatible with all Canon EX-series Speedlite flashes
- Included 16 MB CompactFlash memory card holds 5 images at default resolution
- Connects with Macs and PCs via USB port; uses BP-511 lithium ion battery, included
CompactFlash Microdrive F/4.0-5.6The Canon EOS 400Ds 10.1 megapixel sensor employs the same outstanding CMOS image quality advantage of its big brothers in the professional EOS 1 range. Super sensitive in low light and virtThe Canon EOS D30 is one of the few available interchangeable-lens digital single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras. It’s designed to offer the performance and picture quality of a film-based SLR with the convenience and features of a digital camera. Based on Canon’s EOS line of film cameras, the D30 is compatible with all EOS-related equipment, including EF lenses and EX-series Speedlite flashes. This model is targeted at “prosumers” (serious consumers and some professionals), and its EOS compatibility makes it a natural choice for people who already own Canon equipment.
If you’re accustomed to using a Canon SLR, the D30′s features and controls will be familiar. As with film models, the shutter speed, aperture, and focus can all be set manually or automatically. White balance can also be adjusted, either by selecting a preset value or by shooting and storing a reference image. Unlike most digital cameras, the traditional optical viewfinder is the only way to frame your shots; the 1.8-inch LCD monitor on the back of the camera is for perusing images and adjusting settings only. One bonus of this arrangement is that the D30 is always ready to take pictures; you don’t have to worry about changing modes as you must on most digital cameras.
The introduction of the D30 also marks the first use of a CMOS sensor in a multimegapixel digital camera. Because CMOS sensors are less expensive, use less power, and are easier to manufacture than the traditional CCD sensors found on most cameras, there are high hopes that CMOS will be the primary sensor technology for the super-high resolution digital cameras of tomorrow. Until now, however, CMOS sensors have offered inferior results when compared to CCD, so they’ve been found primarily in entry-level and toy digital cameras. Canon seems to have solved the image-quality problem by custom designing the CMOS chip in the D30, and the company claims that their sensor offers better performance than most CCD sensors.
Images are stored on Type I or Type II CompactFlash cards, including the IBM Microdrive. By default, files are recorded in JPEG format, though there are also settings for TIFF and RAW recording. TIFF is the most common lossless recording format, and TIFF images can be viewed and edited with virtually any photo editing software. TIFF files provide the highest-quality images, but at a price: a single D30 image occupies nearly 10 MB of memory. RAW, in contrast, is a newer format that’s not recognized by as many photo-editing software packages, though Canon provides a plug-in to let Adobe Photoshop users directly import RAW files, and also includes software that lets you convert RAW files to TIFF files on your computer. Like TIFF, RAW is a lossless format, yet RAW files are only about one-third the size of TIFFs. Because the RAW image comes directly from the sensor and has received less in-camera processing than other file formats, it also offers experienced users more image-correction options.
A final note about the EOS D30. The CMOS sensor is smaller than a 35mm negative, which means that when you take a picture, the focal length of the lens you are using is greater. For example, if you took a picture using a lens with a 28mm focal length, the actual focal length would be 1.6x greater, or 45mm. If you’re currently shooting with a Canon SLR, this makes your zoom lenses even more powerful, but it also means that you’ll need to pick up a wide-angle lens or wide-angle converter to regain the range of focal lengths you have with film. –Michael Lewis and Shane Burnett
Pros:
- Compatible with all Canon EOS equipment.
- Features RAW mode for ultimate photographic control.
- SLR flexibility and control.
Cons:
- Expensive.
- Focal length adjustment makes wide-angle shooting difficult.
- More memory is the first accessory you’ll need to buy.
List Price: $ 3,499.99
Price: $ 3,499.99
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Impressive!,
This is my first digital camera. I’ve been impressed by the ease of use, the quality of the images, and variety of features. The only downside is that the 8 MB Compact Flash card which is included is insufficent; you will need to buy more memory, so budget accordingly.
I’m somewhat tech-savvy so the S300 presented no problems in terms of getting up and running. I was able to intuitively grasp how to use most features without reading the manual. Those wanting or need to read the manual will find it understandable and well-written.
There are several settings which determine the size and quality of the images. On the best settings (which is why you’ll need more memory), the quality is excellent for on screen display. I’ve not printed any pictures yet, so I don’t know about that. This is a 2.11 megapixel camera, so there are cameras out there with better image quality. That said, none are this small or ease to carry around.
The S300 camera has a variety of shooting modes: auto, manual, stitch assist, and movie. You can also set the white balance so that you’re shooting in black-and-white. The auto mode takes good shots under most conditions. I’ve not played enough with the manual mode to comment on it. The stitch assist, which allows you to create panoramic shots, is amazing when used in conjunction with the included computer software (in my case on a Mac). It’ll put everything together and you can even save as a QuickTime VR if you have the appropriate software. The movie mode shoots at 20 frames per second and includes audio. The image quality is acceptable, but the audio is weak.
The included Macintosh software (it comes with Windows versions as well) consists of an image database, an image editor, a video editor, a photo stitch assistant, and a camera remote control program. Excellent stuff, all.
You have two ways to get images into your computer: Via the included USB cable or by using an optional Compact Flash PCMIA adapter (cost: about $10). The USB cable, at least on the Mac, works great, though I suspect the download of lots of images from the camera would take a minute or two. I’m ordering a CF PCMIA adapter.
As I mentioned, the 8 MB Compact Flash memory really isn’t enough. At best quality the camera holds 7 images before running out of space. With 128 MB (which is what I’ve ordered) it will hold 128 images. Movie times face similar constrains.
That aside, overall Canon has succeeded in delivering point-and-shoot ease-of-use to a digital camera. The S300 is small enough to take anywhere, and the result is that any moment becomes a photo opportunity. Users adept with Adobe Photoshop will find that a camera like the S300 allows any image at any time to become part of their digital world, and if that’s not bound to enhance creativity, I don’t know what will.
Highly recommended.
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|Amazing camera overall.,
I shopped around before buying this camera and finally bought it for the incredibly small size and sharp pictures. I have not been disappointed. The camera looks so sleek and small that people around you invariably comment on it. The buttons are intuitive and the small screen is incredibly sharp. I have a coolpix 950 at work and I can’t believe it but the images off the s300 are sharper and the tones are more precise. In adddition the canon lenses are superior to Sony and Olympus and are rivaled only by larger Nikon cameras. My only regret is that the camera does not come in a 3 megapixel variety, but realistically, one almost never needs 3 megapixels for home use anyway. 8 x 10s are sharp and beautiful on the s300 using maximum pixelation and superfine mode. Needless to say a 128 mb CF card is a must. The 8 mb card this comes with is a joke! Also, if you use the display to shoot images and not the viewfinder you will need a spare battery. One more point; the s100 case does not fit this camera; canon makes a hard to find PSC 300 case for this camera which fits well, although it adds a tad too much bulk. Neverthelesss, you should get it otherwise the metal will scratch. I found the case, a battery, and a neck strap. My wife, who is not tech savvy, also loves this camera for it’s size and ease of use. Although pricey, I think this camera is exceptionally well made and designed and worth the investment. All in all this is the hottest digital camera out there for good reasons: size and outstanding images!
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|Superb Camera, great choice for every level of photographer,
I have had my Canon S300 (IXUS) from May 2001. It has been a great month taking over 400 pictures on holiday and then back home. All my pictures are exceptionally crisp and clear with many taken with flash and indoors. And this is without even using it at the highest resolution. The short review is, if you need a digital camera, buy this one and live happily ever after.
I spent over 1 month doing research on the net before finally deciding which camera to buy. The tough choice was buying the Canon even though it was only a 2.1 MP resolution. You can buy a Sony or Fuji or other 3.34 MP camera for similar price. BUT DON’T. The biggest advantage is size and speed of use. You will alway be able to have this midget camera in a pocket near you. It is superbly designed and crafted. While it does not have any manual capabilities (some minimum features) it is rare to require them in normal use.
The useful features are the movie mode and simple panorama shooting. The software with the camera is quick and easy to use with minimum fuss. Obviously the USB connection makes life simple and quick. The Zoombrowser software has a great feature to make emailing pictures a breeze as you can choose the compression level as you go along.
The battery life is decent though you should get the AC power adapter and a bigger memory card. The Sandisk 128 MB card was for about US$ 100 and will give you more than enough space to enjoy taking pictures and video. The greatest joy of going digital is the ability to keep on clicking and never worry about the cost. I can happily let my kids click away without any concern.
I have had prints made (4 * 6 in) from the images and they are amazing even at medium resolution and fine setting. I don’t know about larger sizes but for home use they are perfect.
The only few points on the downside for this camera.
1. No power indicator on the battery life. You only know its over when it starts to die completely
2. Its not 3.34 MP resolution (at this price it would have been nice though not required)
3. Its not cheap as a choice (good things never are I guess)
Finally, the joy is in the jealous looks and envious comments you get whenever you pull out this stunning camera. It is an exceptionally good camera and you will have no regrets. ENJOY.
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|Canon D30 – Top Prosumer Digital Still Camera of 2000,
If you want the ultimate in digital photography, the Canon D30 is the ticket as of December 2000 — especially if you already own Canon EOS lenses, because they’re completely compatible. Canon won’t call this a “Pro” camera, because it’s not as weather-tight as pro models, but the body is rugged and the output is first-rate.
The D30 has enough features for professional photographers, yet a novice can get great looking pictures from the start. As you learn more about the camera and its capabilities, your images really start to shine.
Want to experiment with long-exposure photography? Go right ahead! Feedback is instant. No more waiting for processing. No more developing costs. Want to blow up your photo to 8×12 inches? No problem. With a little massaging via Adobe Photoshop ™ and/or Genuine Fractals ™, even poster-sized prints look great, using photo paper and a photo-quality inkjet printer. Software to get you going, including Photoshop LE, is included.
The D30 accepts IBM Microdrives (1 gigabite of storage in the camera!) as well as compact flash. The included 16 meg flash card is enough to test the camera, but you’ll really want to get something bigger, right away. The D30 offers a variety of image compression options — including the Raw format, which allows the most flexibility and avoids jpeg artifacts. The wide variety of storage options means freedom to shoot at will and experiment. An included cable allows you to connect your camera to your computer’s USB port and download images at will.
As I said, all Canon EOS lenses will work with the D30, but there is one difference to consider. Because the CMOS chip is smaller than a 35mm negative, the field of view is different. For example, a 100 mm lens on an EOS film camera works like a 160 mm lens on the D30. They call it a 1.6x multiplier effect, but what it means is that long-distance shooting is easier, and to get wide angle shots, you have to get a REALLY wide lens. For example, a 14mm aspherical wide angle results in a 22mm wide angle shot on the D30.
When the D30 was first released in the Fall of 2000, the demand was far beyond what Canon could produce… in the United States and around the World. As of this writing, the cameras are still in short supply, but well worth the effort and the investment. Kudos to Amazon for adding the D30 to their digital photography offerings.
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|**Great** Camera, especially for current Canon users…,
All of the nice things you’re hearing about this camera are true. If you already own a camera in the Canon EOS line and are ready to upgrade to digital, this is the path you want to take. It has all the features a sophisticated amateur wants, plus a healthy serving of “professional” features thrown in. And as others have said, all the lenses and most (not all) of the accessories you already have will work with the D30.
There are a few drawbacks, however… For one thing the autofocus relies on an incandescent lamp rather than the infrared found in nearly all other EOS models. This is a curious choice on Canon’s part, it almost seems like they didn’t throw in professional-quality autofocus for marketing reasons, since there’s a true pro-level Canon digital SLR due out later this year.
Another drawback is that the included software, called ZoomBrowser EX, is not that great. It’s designed to help you capture, download, and catalog your digital images, but it runs out of steam once your image library grows to a non-trivial size, and if you want to merge databases because you’ve done collection on another computer, the software more-or-less becomes unusable.
Also, you end up paying a lot more than $3000, even if you already have the lenses from your other Canon EOS camera. First comes the Compact Flash cards (you really need to get at least two of these so you always have a spare). Figure on getting at least two 128MB CF cards, if you really must have a microdrive that will cost you more. Plan on getting an extra battery too. Then there are the Canon accessories, like a better (infrared) autofocus lamp, an electronic timer for long exposures and intervalometer work (which the included remote-capture software does not do well), and you get the idea… you really have to budget $4000.
Having said all that, this camera really is a joy to use, and once you get used to the instant feedback, your shooting skills will improve, and you’ll start getting compliments on how good you are. It really *is* that *good* of a camera. Just be warned that you are jumping into the deep end of digital photography if you get this camera. …
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|Best Quality Digital Photos for Price Range,
Awesome Camera. If you are interested in the sharpest digital photos this is the camera for you. I recommend the Canon EOS D30 unequivocally; it is the best you can buy without breaking the bank. If you already own one of the Canon EOS’ then your lenses will fit. The compact flash included is pretty skimpy and my Speedlite 430EZ didn’t work. Picture quality is outstanding. Read some of the comparisons with the Nikon and you will see that the D30 beats it for about two grand less. I am totally enthusiastic about it. The instruction booklet is clear and easy to follow. You can use the new 340MB to 1 gig mini-drives to store a whole vacations worth of pictures. I recommend the Speedlite 550EX to expand your abilities.
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