Canon Powershot SD300 4MP Digital Elph Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

Rating:
Summary: Video won't run on computers
Review: As a camera, this is a fine camera. My review relates to the video function only. The video runs fine on the camera, but it does not work on computers with even 3 times the system requirements listed in the manual. (The file transfers and runs, but it just jumps and stops when played.)

I called Canon Technical support and talked to two PSR1 reps (1st level reps) and one PSR2 rep (2nd and highest level). All the reps recreated the same problem on their systems that I experienced, and yet I was told "to call Microsoft" to see if they could figure it out.

What was rather remarkable was that even though Canon said they recreated the same problem on their end, they said that there was no malfunction. I said I could not understand this since their own literature and instruction manual states that you can play the videos on a computer with basic system requirements (both my system and the tech's systems well exceeded the minimum requirements listed in the Canon manual).

Now sure, someone can look at this and say its just a matter a awful technical support, but this happened three times with three different reps. All recreated the same problem and all said that "it was not a problem." Two of the reps said that Canon is only responsible for the video running on the camera and that users should not expect the video OR THE IMAGES to necessarily work on a computer even if it exceeds the system requirements!

BTW, I had a Canon G5 before this and the video ran fine.

So in the end, if you want to use the video function on your computer it may very well not work. If it does not work, Canon offers no support to correct the problem.

_________________________
Since writing the above I have talked to two more support representatives at Canon. Both have given me identical answers: videos shot in standard video mode WILL NOT RUN PROPERLY ON A COMPUTER, REGARDLESS OF PROCESSOR OR MEMORY.

IF THE ABILITY TO VIEW AND SHARE VIDEOS IS AN IMPORTANT FEATURE IN YOUR CAMERA PURCHASE, STAY AWAY FROM THIS CAMERA.

Rating:
Summary: Canon SD300 - Cracked LCD, Red-eye
Review: I am very happy with this camera due to it's small size and several different shooting modes. However I noticed that in low light conditions if you do not use the flash the pictures are somewhat blurry, even if you change the settings around. It appears that the camera needs the flash to focus properly. Red-eye is a major problem with this camera even with the red-eye reduction shooting mode. So be prepared to fix a lot of red-eyes out of your pictures.

Also my LCD cracked for no apparent reason. I took the camera out of it's case to take a picture and the LCD was white with a purple blob in the center. I was unable to view anything on the LCD or even change the settings. I mailed the camera back to Canon for repairs, which takes about 3 weeks and as you can imagine it is not covered under warranty. The cost for the repair is close to $200. I did some research on the internet and found that this is a common problem. I really like the SD300 but am rather unhappy with the LCD repair costs and problems.

Rating:
Summary: LCD Cracks when menu button is pressed
Review: I bought the SD300 for the holidays, but the LCD broke when I pressed the menu button on the back. This happened three weeks after purchasing the camera, and Canon's warranty won't cover the problem. To fix the camera, the cost is a whopping $155.00! I consider this a defective design and I certainly do not recommend this camera to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: Small Size and Great Video can't offset quality/blurry photo
Review: I have owned an S400 Canon and have been very happy until it recently died. So, I sent it to Canon for repair and decided to go ahead an upgrade to the latest/smallest version of the Canon compact camera.

The size, feel, weight and video on this camera are incredible. I wouldn't want it any smaller and the video far exceeds the quality and duration of the S400. However, I had over a third of the photos come across as blurry and the image wasn't quite as clear as this camera's predecessor.

I am not a pro photographer and use this strictly for fun/recreational use. I don't have the "serious" camera but only one everyday camera.

I think Canon is close to a perfect product but needs more work.

With the success of the S400 and S410 versus the number of negative comments against the SD300 (and quite a few positive), it is clear the Canon gave up a little too much to compress the footprint of this camera.

Rating:
Summary: GOOD! GOOD! OH.........Hmm....
Review: I have owned and tried out 5 digicams within 5 years ranging from :
1. Nikon Coolpix 800 - First camera, good pix but simply too big, sold on ebay
2. Canon S200 - Small, 2megpixels only but good backup camera
3. Canon S45 - not small at all but good features, sold on ebay
4. Nikon Coolpix 5400 - returned within 1days from Costco because of too complex manual and old technology (introduced 2 years ago)
5. Canon SD300 - Smallish and good image and excellent video

Whoever want to be professional, please go get digital SLR. Any so called prosumer digital camera ($400+) is not going to solve your problem. Please ask yourself if you are taking pictures in auto or semi-auto mode 90% of the time or not. If so, any so called features is a joke.

This one offers simply but enough features to satisfy you needs. Good picture and excellent video. However, please do not abuse the use of video mode unless you have multi-GB SD card. The video is good but the file size is way tooooooo big.

Rating:
Summary: in controlled environment
Review: it will do well.
don't be fooled by the 4MP, that's not the whole story. If you don't print out large photos, 4MP is not problem for viewing on computer or 4x6 prints or slightly larger. This camera delivers superior quality compared to competitors, something that Canon consistently does.
its lcd is not that big and the flash takes a while, so if you have to take quick snapshots then this is probably not for you. But if you have time to setup most pictures, which I think is most people, then this is a great value.
For what it's worth, this is an editor choice on PC Magazine. Referred by whosave.com, at the time, saved a few bucks.

Rating:
Summary: Research What You Want Well
Review: Moving up from my Minolta Dimage x20, I wanted a smaller camera with greater megapixels and better video. The SD 300 gives you that and more. My challenge is what I took for granted. You can not zoom while taking video with the Canon as you can with the x20. The was a big downer. Also you can only date stamp a photo in the postcard mode (1600 x1200). Again I could date stamp all photos at any quality level with the X20. Since I store and view all of my pictures on computer, visible dates are important.

The SD300 is good little camera. Just know what you like and make sure you get it when looking to upgrade.

Rating:
Summary: Good Deal - All the way around - Fun Stuff!
Review: OK...

I was a little nervous based on some of the reviews here - so here goes ( I Have had this for a couple days now)

Size:

Absolutely tiny - unbelievable how small these things have gotten. I am convinced that the role of SLRs and regular film cameras are dead. I did not use my SLR because it was big and bulky - this think will sit in your pocket and not even be noticed. Still functional easy to press buttons and use the camera. Very happy.

Camera Usability:

I came from a previous Canon S45 - so I was familar the interface which really hasnt changed much in the last three years. It has a 2 inch lcd which is very bright and nice to look at. If you know canon - no need to read the book. If you are new to canon - it is pretty intuitive - so again Very Happy.

Camera Picture Quality:

It is a 4MP camera and appears to take pictures every bit as good as my old canon s45. Zoom is 3x and it comes with all the standard manual settings - including an underwater setting - which is pretty exciting - since I will be taking my camera to Hawaii in a couple of days and am interested to see how that works (apparently takes some of the blue out of the water to show the real colors of the aquatic life) - and yes I ordered the optional waterproof case. (Pretty expensive - but makes this very functional for beach, pool, snorkling and raining - NOT for scuba.) - Very happy

Camera Speed:

Shutter is pretty darn quick - easily as fast as my old Canon EOS Elan II - especially with the flash off - wow - very fast - and I am using standard Sandisk memory (Not the ULTRA stuff - which may even make it faster) - Unbelievably happy

Video Quality

OK - This is what sold me on this guy - you can now take 640 x 480 resolution video on this little guy - pretty hard to believe. AND you can take unlimited up to the size of the memory card (so for a 1GB card that is about 9 minutes at the highest resolution). This was one of my biggest wants on the s45 - you were limited to about 3 minutes and half the quality. I have personally maxed out a 1GB standard Sandisk card with no problems - pretty cool! Unlike another reviewer I was able to not only play the video on my computer - I could do it from my hard drive or the card sitting in my card reader. Video looked pretty good for something this small. The other cool option was a 60 frame / second video option. If you wanted to record sporting events (swing of the bat) this is pretty cool - you get 60 individual frames for each second of action - you capture everything. - Happy - and very cool.

Battery / Charging

Not much to say here - have yet to put the camera through its paces - but the battery seems to do pretty well - and the charger is tiny to match the camera - nice for traveling.

Overall - very cool - very fun and excited to have it! My wife loves it - and she hates technology - she called it cute - and something she could shove in her purse - so it was a winner for her as well. Only downsides might be their is no compression for video - so it burns through memory extremely quick -

I will be back in a week after a hard week of taking pictures of water and waves and can update how she did when I get back!!

Rating:
Summary: The LCD screen on my SD300 broke within a week
Review: The LCD screen is incredibly fragile and broke with only moderate use. I'm not alone in this: see the two reviews of the SD200 that mention this same problem. Canon won't price the repair until I send it in. Since I'm currently in another country, this is problematic (they insist it must be sent to the US). I waited year's for a shirtpocket canon, and I'm hugely disappointed with this fragility.

Rating:
Summary: The Dreaded E18 strikes again
Review: This is a pretty good camera with some drawbacks, but apparently CANON has a lens problem that I wish I had known about before I got to Cancun. The Lens jams in the open position and then all you get is a small "E18" message before the camera shuts down. Resetting the camera has not worked. Apparently this is a continuing problem from other models so do your research. Hopefully Amazon will credit me, since I bought this as a Christmas gift for my wife. I should be okay till January 31st, otherwise it would be off to the repair shop...and that is as good as buying a reconditioned item for full price. Wait and see if others report this problem.