Canon 12.1MP PowerShot ELPH 300 HS Review by infoSync With Rating 73/100

On February 7 2011, Canon announced four new PowerShot Digital cameras - the PowerShot SX230 HS, ELPH 500 HS (aka IXUS 310 HS), ELPH 300 HS (aka IXUS 220 HS) and ELPH 100 HS (aka IXUS 115 HS) models. 

The PowerShot ELPH 300 HS is the world's thinnest 24mm wide angle, 5x Optical zoom model, along with 12.1 Megapixels High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor and a 2.7-inch LCD screen. It comes equipped with Canon's HS SYSTEM for exceptional shooting in low-light, Full 1080p HD video, new Movie Digest Mode and 32 Smart AUTO scenes.

The PowerShot ELPH 300 HS is available in red, black and silver and is scheduled to be available in mid-March for an estimated selling price of $249.99. Here is the summary of review by infoSync, giving the camera a rating of 73 out of 100:

"Canon also went so far as to throw a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor in the PowerShot Elph 300 HS vs. last year's 14.1-megapixel CCD. What this means is that the Elph's new sensor features slightly larger pixels for better light gathering and its CMOS chip is placed differently for enhanced light gathering. The Elph 300 HS retains its Digic 4 processing, and the camera is now capable of 1080p Full HD video at 24fps. As mentioned earlier, we can now optically zoom while recording video, as well as automatically focusing. We know what you're going to ask, and the answer is no--the zoom motor sound was barely audible in our recorded samples. Starting with image quality, the Canon PowerShot Elph 300 HS performed admirably in bright light. We noticed a slight improvement in overall detail, as the 300 HS seemed to provide a more defined image than the SD1400 IS. Colors were beautiful and we like how Canon has toned them down and added Super Vivid mode to get your oversaturated rocks off. Perhaps the biggest improvement was low light, however. Here, we were able to shoot at slightly higher ISO levels to achieve the same amount of sensitivity, and Handheld Night Scene came to the rescue. Looking at some of our low light shots, we can't help compare them to longer exposures, but no shutter speed dipped below 1/20-sec. We spoke, and Canon listened. 

We asked for a better zoom, and Canon gave it to us. We wanted improved image quality, and Canon delivered. We suggested a few body design enhancements, and Canon went to town. The Canon PowerShot Elph 300 HS is not only an example of a model that received some critical engineering love from is creators, but it is also evidence that Canon is capable of delivering the goods to the party crowds. While addressing all of our concerns, Canon managed to go beyond our expectations, which were not high for this type of camera. They packed in 1080p Full HD that actually looked good. They bulked up the Smart Auto mode. We now have a 24mm wide-angle lens, 5x optical zoom, and the ability to use it while recording video. Camera tools and controls are fantastic and the menu system is top notch. We can safely say that the Canon PowerShot Elph 300 HS is a substantial upgrade from last year's PowerShot SD1400 IS. We'd say it's definitely worth the extra 20 bucks. Long live the Elph!"