leomeister's Full Review: Canon PowerShot SD300 / IXUS 40 Digital Camera
First and foremost, Inherent flaws in small cameras:
-picture quality is poorer due to small lenses, weak flash and its not as easy to keep stable in your hands
-red eye: small cameras usually have the flash close to the shutter which results in increase red eye.
-poor indoor shots: small cameras have small, weak flash which cause less background to show, and far away objects to be dark
-stability: nowadays small cameras will have small, impratical viewfinders so everyone will be using the larger lcd screens, and hold the camera away from the body; this usually results in poor stability control and blurred / soft pictures (especially indoors)
With this said, no negative marks or comments on the above because they're fundamental to the camera.
Conversely, outdoors in bright light red eye, flash and stability become a moot issue because there's so much light and you don't need as steady a hand. The small lense however usually results in increase barrel distortion (rounding of straight lines at the edge of the pictures - like in pix of buildings)
I'm in the market for a small camera with movie mode because my Canon Digital Rebel doesn't have movie mode and I can't take it everywhere I go. So I'm looking for a pocket camera to suppliment my Rebel.
Other reviewers have covered introductions to the camera very well so I'm going to skip those details, and I'll just tell you my personal likes and dislikes. If you're like me, this review will help you a lot.
Likes:
1. The movies modes are unbeatable in this camera. 6 options = 15fps in 640x480 or 320x240, 30fps in 640x480 or 320x240, 60fps in 320x240, and 15fps in 160x120. This was awesome, and my biggest regret as I return this camera. The LCD was also very fluid in the picture taking. You can adjust the zoom and focus to any camera setting (press shutter half way to focus) and then start the recording. HOWEVER, once set the focus and zoom cannot be changed during movie acquisition. All modes are unlimited recording time except the 60fps (1min) and 15fps (3min).
2. AF Illuminator. The best invention since sliced bread. Aids in focusing in dim situations.
3. Best LCD I've seen in a camera. Ultra fluid and large at 2in diagonal.
4. Menu's are easy to navigate.
Dislikes:
1. Not an easy one hand operation. I want simple one hand operation from a small camera, and this is the reason I'm returning this camera. The controls are too tightly put together and the small power button requires you to hold it down for a split second before it powers up. I often have to use my left hand to help hold the camera as I use the controls. Zooming is very tough with one hand. (Note: one hand use results in poor stability control - use one handed operation in very bright light settings).
2. Power button is hard to get to and requires you to hold it down for a split second to turn on. I mention this again, because I find quick power-on important.
I'm picky because I already have a great camera, the Canon Digital Rebel. I just need a small camera to fill in my photography/video needs that the Rebel lacks. I want a small camera with movie mode to pocket that I can quickly take out and use with one hand. My Rebel is my two hand camera (often use one handed too, but my arm gets tired after a while). I'd like the camera to easy power-on and to zoom easily with one hand. The SD300 sadly does not do this for me although it is a superb camera. Picture quality for a non-SLR camera is great, and its quick and responsive once on - you just need both hands more often than I like
Update (2006 June 03):
I never did return the camera like I said above. I got busy and didn't really mind it that much. I still stand by what I say above and the size made it difficult to use one handed. But on with the update...
After a year of bringing my Canon SD300 with me hiking, camping, kayaking, the beach, rock climbing, snowboarding, roller coaster rides, water parks, parties, work, play, sight seeing, road trips, 5K runs, and half marathons my LCD finally cracked. There are scratches and areas of wear on the LCD and the camera body because --being a pocket camera, all I did was put it in my pocket (some people use camera bags). What finally did the SD300 in was being in my pocket with keys – something I’m usually (but not totally) careful with. So it was camera in pocket with keys at Six Flags Fiesta Texas – that specific combination, that cracked my LCD – I highly recommend avoiding this combination completely. I’ve never really been careful with my pocket camera (SD300) – unlike my Canon Digital Rebel. It’s a pocket camera after all! Made for all-terrain as I like to think of it.
Despite the cracked LCD the camera still works; using the view finder I've been able to continue taking pictures and video! I just can’t see what is happening on the LCD. I’m looking into repairs, but have already bought a new camera – the Canon SD700IS! So if I repair the SD300 I’ll probably hand it down to one of my siblings. So look forward to another fun filled review as I test out the SD700IS!
Another note -- this explains the importance of having a viewfinder on a digital camera. A lot of cameras are coming out with no viewfinder at all! So if the LCD breaks you're out of luck completely.
From this update take away this fact -- the SD300 was built tough!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 399 This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Easy Enough for Anyone to Use
The ultra-sleek, ultra-slim Canon PowerShot SD300 delivers 4.0 megapixels of resolution--enough to make photo-quality 11-by-15-inch enlargements New l...More at Amazon Marketplace
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