Product Reviews (19)
I researched quite a bit and...
Strengths: Excellent picture quality, great value for a 3.2 MP camera, easy to use for basic photography. Great S/W by Canon
Weakness: No optical zoom (if you need it)
I researched quite a bit and bought 2 of these from Dell.com for my kids at $ 179 each delivered!. They did not come with case and only with 16 MB CF card. I bought 256 MB cards (Dell.com), Ni-MH batteries (BatterySpace.com-E-Bay), Cases (YesMicro.com - Pricegrabber) and used them on recent trip to Japan and used both the cameras extensively in different situations, but in full "Auto" mode.
The Alkaline battries lasted about 40 shots. The Ni-MH batteries (I very highly recommend them) lasted about 140 shots: 1600 X 1200, Superfine mode, with a lot of LCD use. The picture & video quality is excellent for screen viewing. The digital zoom was adequate and I turly did not miss optical zoom. Shutter lag was not a problem. The flash is weak for distant pics. In low light situations, Flash Off mode worked very well with good white balance and auto ASA adjutment. Have not printed the pics. The Canon S/W for managing pics is EXCELLENT. The Arcsoft stuff is just okay however. No problems loading S/W or installing camera on WinXP Pro machines.
I am VERY HAPPY and will buy my 3rd Canon A300 soon. Eventhough I did not use the camera to its fullest 3.2 MP (for printing 8.5 X 11 pic)capacity, I am very satisfied. I think that it is the cheapest and perhaps best in 3.x MP catagory. It uses CF cards- which are cheaper (compared to MS or SD cards) and Alkaline batteries are very easy to find anywhere. I was thinking of buying Olympus 5050, but will stick to A300.
By dhruva - Aug 31, 2003
I've been pleased with most of the...
Strengths: Very good all around camera. Definitely one of the best bangs for the buck. The AVI movies it records are surprisingly sharp and include sound.
Weakness: No major issues. No optical zoom unfortunately but I knew this before getting it. I cant figure out how to download the images on a Mac without the software. Works fine on WinXP.
I've been pleased with most of the images shot so far. The quality is fine although I havent yet printed any pictures. Mostly I use it for building a digital archive. Without the optical zoom I find that I take more medium to close range shots. Macro capability is excellent. Landscape panoramas are so-so. Using 2 freshly charged Ni-MH batteries I've filled up a 64MB flash card a couple times no problem. For a first time digicam it suits. I plan to hang on to it for a year or two until the technology on the 5-6 MP cams stabilizes and come down in price.
By sirsapien - Sep 20, 2003
I mainly picked this camera for...
Strengths: Definitely the price. The pictures are colorful and sharp (granted they could be slightly better). 640x480 resolution videos WITH sound. Uses cheap CompactFlash cards. Uses 2 cheap AA batteries.
Weakness: NO OPTICAL ZOOM. The flash is only good up to around 20 feet. The videos are limited by length and not remaining memory. Feels a little bulkly. No time stamp.
I mainly picked this camera for the price: $99.88 at Amazon.com. You give up optical zoom, but you get a cheap camera. For my purposes, this is just fine. For a 3MP camera in this price range, the pictures are extremely clear, although distant objects seem a little blurrier than closer ones. Unlike similar cameras, the A300 can take clear 640x480 resolution movies with sound. Unfortunately, the max length is 30 seconds (lower resolutions give up to 3 mintues worth). It was very easy to start taking pictures and videos right away. I especially like the single switch to move from picture or video capture. But I needed to read the instructions to fine tune some things. To me, the battery life seems more than fine, but be sure you pick up some rechargeable AA NiMH batteries for this baby. Overall, if you need a cheap 3MP with clear pictures and video with sound (and don't need optical zoom) buy this camera now.
By jayman7 - Aug 9, 2004
this is my first REAL digital...
Strengths: cheap, good picture quality, lots of setting feature, VIDEO MODE with good quality sound. overall price and quality is very reasonable.
Weakness: no a/c adapter or ni-mh battery included, flimsy cover for usb/ac adaptor, no optical zoom
this is my first REAL digital camera, my old digital camera was a polaroid funflash 640. after reserching for the whole month, finnally i bought this canon A300, i love the movie feature. this camera was bought on a budget of $190-230. after researching for a month, this canon A300 finnaly beats the sony dsc-p32, finepix a310, and the new DSC-u30 which i like the size. anyway this camera beats all of those camera in features that I like. hope i help you decide.
By OPET98 - Sep 16, 2003
Bought this camera bundled with a...
Strengths: Great Price. 640 x 480 video is good quality. 3 MP images very good. Digital zoom surprisingly good.
Weakness: Battery Life - with only 2 AA batts - definately use LiIon rechargables and keep 2 more ready.
Bought this camera bundled with a Canon i455 printer for $149! GREAT Price! Bought at local electronics store on special. Printer works great too - and camera and printer can work to print pix w/o a computer as well. I have another Canon digital camera - older - 2 MP - so this camera is another one for kids to use.
Do not miss optical zoom with this camera - digital zoom is very good. But - no zoom available for video mode. Image quality is very good. Menus are easy to use AFTER you study how to get to everything on the camera. Flash seems to use a lot of battery power, and recycle time when flash is used slows down time to next picture.
Video time is 3 minutes for 640 x 480, and unlimited up to the memory capacity for medium and low resolution modes. Video sound plays back also through small speaker on camera - a neat fature, but not necessary. All in all - an excellent camera for the price. The Canon A310 is the newer version of this camera and I'd say it also would be a very good buy.
By otis0014 - Nov 18, 2004
If you are on a tight budget or...
Strengths: Low price (about $200), very good picture quality. 3.2 MP
Weakness: Must study manual and hard to figure out the features. No optical zoom. Does not come with a case.
If you are on a tight budget or want a camera that is relatively small that won't load you down and one that you don't have to worry about because you spent a fortune, I believe this is the camera for you. I paid about $200 for it.
About zoom. Zoom lens cost more money to manufacture than non-zoom lens. Very good zoom lens even cost more. A non-zoom lens can be manufactured much cheaper and still have high quality pictures. This has a all glass lens and the pictures I printed to 8.5 x 11 are excellent. I believe the picture quality is very good because of the non-zoom lens for a low cost camera. If you need a zoom lens, this is not the camera for you but expect to pay and check the quality (when you buy zoom, don't go for the biggest zoom at the lowest cost) of the zoom lens.
Only uses 2 AA batteries. Get rechargeable NiMH, and keep spares - because it only uses 2 batteries (other cameras use 4 AA) their life will be shorter. The good thing is if you are shooting and run out of batteries, you can use alkalines available most places.
It has a lot of features, be prepared to study the manual and experiment before you use it for anything important.
Only comes with a small compact flash memory. Be prepared to a much larger memory card (all cameras come with too small memory card).
Overall, I like this camera for the price and quality of the picture. I would purchase it again for sure.
I like the Windows software that comes with it. Easy to find your photos
By ydavidimai - Jul 25, 2003
This is my third digital camera in...
Strengths: Low $$, known name brand, compact size, pic preview, VERY clear pictures, exc macro feature for super clear crisp closeups, cool short movie func, VERY easy to use, Great *bang* for the buck.
Weakness: Doesn't have optical zoom, eats up reg batteries so would recommned getting rechargable batteries and a recharger
This is my third digital camera in more then 5 yrs. I've had this camera since it was first released by Canon and LOVE it especially for taking pictures of details and smaller older items I sell on eBay and SellYourItem.com. For outdoor photography it's not quite as good since it doesn't have optical zoom, only digital, but I'd still recommend it since you can still take wonderful pictures for the low price you pay for this.
By ldygreensleeves - Jun 29, 2003
This is my first digital camera....
Strengths: Clear, crisp, colorful pictures, easy to use. Affordable.
This is my first digital camera. The camera is very easy to use. The picture quality comes out very clear. The movie feature is great!
By mrsmamacbride - Jun 26, 2003
This is a great first time buyers...
Strengths: Inexpensive, compact, solid construction, unbelievably clear and crisp images, great video mode, (more functional than gimmicky, I was pleasantly surprised), all around wonderful camera for the price-
Weakness: Eats batteries like Orson Wells ate bon-bons, don't like the side-slide door where batteries and CF card go- (I have to push down and sideways to open door as it gets slick), 16mb flash
This is a great first time buyers camera as well as the seasoned photographer's as it is easy to use and takes wonderfully crisp and clear photos. The close-ups are especially wonderful. 3.2mp at a very low price. SHOP AROUND THOUGH!!! I've seen this camera priced anywhere from $165.00 to $270.00.
By youngmatt38 - Sep 12, 2003
i purchased one 3 months ago, i...
Strengths: good quality pictures, movie quality is better than the fuji 410 that my cousin has, excellent sound and night shot movies
Weakness: no optical zoom,
i purchased one 3 months ago, i didn't like it first until i had the chance to compare with some pictures and movies taken with the fuji 410, this canon has better quality of pictures and movies... i even bought a second one for my parents... for the price, it's a good deal... i found it for $179 total at dell.com...
By lightnsalt - Oct 2, 2003
Wonderful Camera!
Strengths: Clear and colorful pictures, long battery life (when using rechargeables), nice movie mode (with sound), intuitive and easy-to-use
Weakness: Long start-up and flash recovery times. In low-light conditions, the flash sometimes takes a while to go off. Good for portraits and scenery, but not a camera to use when taking action shots.
I have had this camera for about three years now. It takes wonderful pictures (so long as you don't want to enlarge them more than 8x10 size). The lack of optical zoom has never really bothered me that much (though if you're going to be zooming in a lot, be warned that the digital zoom is not that wonderful). This camera is durable and, despite the complaints about the "flimsy" AV cover, nothing has broken off on it. This is a very good first digital camera. I highly recommend it!
By capellini2 - Jun 13, 2006
A Great Camera
Strengths: Overall excellent performance since I bought this camera a number of years ago.
Weakness: No optical zoom and comes without a cover. It all of a sudden cannot take pictures any more and I cannot pick or see images taken.
My camera has been of greatest service to me since 2004. I must say that I have not used it much because I only take my family photos. However, two days ago, a strange thing happened. It cannot pick objects on the LCD monitor at all. I have tried several times to take picures but the monitor is simply dark/black and empty. Whenever I click it, I get no image whatsoever. I can see all the stored images on the memory card and read all the other information about the camera on the monitor. I am the only one who uses this camera and I am certain that it has not been accidentally damaged. The lens is always opened while taking these pictures and I have even used a blank memory card in vain. The batteries are perfect. Please can anyone out there tell me what to do and where the fault is??
By aoowala - Jun 29, 2009
A LEMON of a camera
Strengths: none
Weakness: read comment
I HATE this camera! It has been nothing but trouble from the start. I have to use duct tape on the front to hold the shutter open so that the camera will recognize being ON! The latest problem I am having is: I erased the pictures to start taking more, the LCD is nothing but a black screen now! We have replaced everything that can be replaced on this camera and have done nothing but waisted our money! BAD BUY....BAD CHRISTMAS PRESENT!!!!! I do not recommend this camera to anyone.....
By Tra71 - Mar 16, 2008
What a piece of crap
Strengths: none
Weakness: everything
To much crap to deal with when taking pics. Viewing screen to small. Optima has a much better camera. Another example of a manufacturer trying to put to much into a camera. Most people just want to take a picture.....period. Eats batteries like a kid with a bag full of candy.
By anonymous; - Dec 26, 2007
Canon A300
Strengths: good sharp pics if placed on stand.
Weakness: this is a defective product with the shelf life of a gallon of milk in a hot Pinto. The camera will have battery and power issues even when plugged in.
This product is about as dependable as thoses Razor phones. (yes I have been stung twice) Canon should stop selling this product. Its impossible to get a direct answer from anybody related to Canon......unless I am coming off some money. I am ofcourse....displeased and will never buy another Canon product.
Research before you buy people.
By anonymous; - Aug 17, 2006
Canon PowerShot A300
Testseek.com has collected 7 expert reviews for Canon PowerShot A300 and the average expert rating is 61 of 100. The average score reflects the expert community’s view on this product. Click below and use Testseek.com to see all ratings, product awards and conclusions.
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By testseek.com - Feb 9, 2009
canon powershot a300 digital camera
Canon Powershot A300 Digital Camera receives an overall TopTenREVIEWS score of 1.46 out of 4.00. It is ranked the #404 standard digital camera of all time. The overall rating represents an intelligent balance of features, value as a function of price to features, and a summary of reviews from a variety of sources. The TopTen REVIEWS' formula gives a picture of important consumer features, market...
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By TopTenREVIEWS.com - Jul 16, 2008
Canon Powershot A300
200 may be too much for anyone but beginners to put up with its functionality flaws- even if image quality's still above average
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By pocket-lint.co.uk - Dec 15, 2003
Canon PowerShot A300
It's tough finding a true "entry level" digicam with decent features and picture quality. The non-zoom Canon PowerShot A300 is a winner on all fronts though. Three megapixels of resolution, great color, and a surprising array of features not usually found on entry-level models. Overall, one of the best non-zoom cameras urrently on the market.
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By Imaging Resource - May 14, 2003