Canon PowerShot SD300: The Best Ultra-Compact in its Class?
by Stephen Caston on February 23, 2005 4:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Digital Camera
General Image Quality
For these pictures, the camera was reset to its factory default setting. Then, it was set to its highest quality recording setting. The pictures were then taken in Auto mode unless stated otherwise. Portrait-style images have been rotated using Irfanview's "lossless operations". Click on a thumbnail to view the full-size image. All images are in sRGB color space.  Click to enlarge. |
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In the first sample above, the SD300 proves capable of producing images with excellent detail. We also noticed some blurring near the corners of the frame. Again, in the second sample, we were very impressed with the level of detail. However, we noticed some purple fringing along the top of the building and the branches at the upper-left of the frame. In the third sample, we have highlighted more corner blurring. We found this to be much more common in pictures taken at a wide angle than at the telephoto end of the optical zoom.
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 (Macro mode, + 0.7 EV) Click to enlarge. |
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In the first sample above, we have cropped out a portion of the frame that reveals some JPEG artifacts. Although this was not a common problem with the SD300, it does appear in shadow areas such as this. In the second sample, our crop shows significant purple fringing around one of the subjects. We should also point out that corner blurring was not as much of an issue in this picture, since we had the camera at the telephoto end of the zoom. In the final sample, the SD300 proves that it can take some very good macro pictures. To counter the strong backlighting, we applied an exposure compensation of + 0.7 EV. With the ability to focus as close as 1.2", this camera certainly offers a lot of possibilities to the macro photographer.
Overall, we were very impressed with the SD300's image quality. The main issues were purple fringing and softness in the corners. We feel that both of these issues aren't so bad that they would compromise overall image quality. In fact, in an 8"x10" print, they would probably be hard to notice at all.
Long Exposure
 (8 seconds, ISO 50) Click to enlarge. |
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By enabling the "Long Shutter" option in Manual mode, the SD300 can expose images for up to 30 seconds. In our 8-second exposure above, the camera proves capable of capturing a respectable level of detail. We were expecting a less grainy image at ISO 50, but the amount of detail is decent. You can also see some purple fringing around the lights.
Movie Mode
(640x480, 30 fps)
Click to view.
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Fricardo - Saturday, July 16, 2005 - link
"We are eagerly awaiting the release of the 5 megapixel PowerShot SD400 and we will certainly bring you a review"Sooo, the SD400 is out. And still no review?
brownba - Wednesday, July 6, 2005 - link
i love my sd300i've read about the lcd being fragile...
but that's just the 2% of disgruntled owners being loud, while teh 98% of happy owners are out taking great pictures
zoomsix - Wednesday, June 1, 2005 - link
Buyers Beware: the sd300 lcd breaks VERY EASY. Take special care when handling as even the slightest impact can break it, and canon WILL NOT replace it free of charge.IMO, this is reason enough not to buy the camera. The simple fact that it can break from something as simple as being in your pocket is screaming flawed design.
You won't see this in any reviews because reviewers only test the product... they don't actually have extended experience with it.
If you don't believe me, just search around.
You have been warned.
Cameraman - Wednesday, March 9, 2005 - link
Yet another flippin' awesome review, man! I can't even imagine buying a digital camera at this point without reading what you have to say about it. Thanks for all of the hard work, dude!Bookie - Monday, February 28, 2005 - link
I just got this camera last week to compliment my Dimage A1 and I've very impressed. The movie quality rocks. The pictures aren't quite as clear as my Dimage, but that's where the $400 price different comes in. I paid just over $300 for this camera. I really wanted to wait for next month to get either ther sd500 or sd600, but since I'm headed on a cruise next week I couldn't wait any longer, though I may ebay this after the trip and get one of the new ones depending on their street price. I also found replacement batteries (generic) for $12 online and picked up a couple of those.I did comparisons of this camera with the eLixims. Even though I could get the 5mp casio for the same price, it just didn't do as much as well as this camera. I also couldn't stand that they had to have that docking station to charge.
Brunnis - Saturday, February 26, 2005 - link
Okay, I think I've decided now. I'm buying the IXUS 40 (as it's apparently called here), along with a fast 1GB SD card and Canon's own camera bag. Should be really neat to have this camera the coming summer. :) I've read more reviews of it and they're all agreeing with this one!drwho9437 - Friday, February 25, 2005 - link
#21 they did I believe add a digital zoom in the SD500 but not an optical one. Though since the image is so small compaired to the sensor resolution it will probably work well. The auto focus system is designed to continously focus.stephencaston - Friday, February 25, 2005 - link
#22, yep IXUS 40 for the SD300 and IXUS 30 for the SD200.Brunnis - Friday, February 25, 2005 - link
This is pretty much what I've been looking for! I'm just wondering what the exact name is in europe. Would this be the Digital IXUS 40 (not 400!)?Jedi2155 - Friday, February 25, 2005 - link
I have a SD300 and I also use a Lexar 32x 1 GB on it. I've tried taken a movie sample with a full battery charge had it go till I filled the card to capacity. Thats about 8 minutes and 45(50 maybe) using a empty card @ 640x480 30 FPS. After that, I still managed to get a weeks worth of shots (about 10-20 a day) with a few more videos on the battery charge. Needless to say, I am impressed and decided to against buying a spare.I am irked about the inability to zoom in the movie mode but I heard they fixed that in the upcoming SD500......