Photo answers review
Photo answers rating 
There are many compacts available, all vying for your cash, and despite the odd specification or feature change they are all pretty similar. Canon’s IXUS range has always been a bit different though, as the designs are traditionally compact and trendy. This latest example keeps that pedigree going, but there’s a lot more to it than that.
Faster and more sensitive The IXUS 300 is the first model to carry the HS system designation. This is about the camera’s combination of DIGIC 4 processor and a high-sensitivity 10MP CMOS back-illuminated sensor, which enables it to deliver high-speed shooting and improved low light performance. Shooting at a very rapid 3.7fps is fast enough by any compact’s standard, but if you are happy to reduce the resolution to 2.5MP you can be firing off 8.4 images a second on this compact. It’s also the first in the IXUS line-up to use an f/2.0 (minimum aperture at 28mm) wide-angle zoom lens, allowing images to be captured in lower lighting and also giving tighter depth-of-field control. The sensitivity range runs from ISO 125 up to a useful ISO 3200. This can be extended to ISO 6400 when using the camera’s low light mode, but the resolution is reduced to 2.5MP.
Features We mentioned the camera’s wide-angle optics, but this isn’t a fixed focal length compact as the lens offers a 3.8x optical zoom. With the starting point at a wide 28mm (35mm equivalent), the zoom extends to 105mm with the minimum aperture rising to f/5.3. This IXUS offers both shutter- and aperture-priority and a manually controlled iris, which makes this camera more appealing to the enthusiast with its better control over depth-of-field. The camera is also blessed with Canon’s lens-shift Image Stabilisation (IS) system, which has proved itself in many a Canon compact on the Canon production line before. The built-in flash offers limited illumination, although it is effective at short range. It does, however, boast an automatic smart control that adjusts the flash output to suit the conditions. Video fans will welcome HD video (720p resolution), which not only offers low light recording, but will also shoot at slow speed for artistic movie effects. The zoom and the image stabiliser are enabled during movie capture too. There’s a wide range of shooting modes, including the aforementioned manual controls. You also have face detection with smile shutter (takes a shot when the subject smiles) and a couple of more unusual modes like fisheye lens effect, and miniature mode where you can make your average street scene look like a model village.
Ease of use Compacts like this IXUS are generally easy to use, and the 300 HS certainly is. The design and layout lends itself well to quick, simple operation. There are just a few controls on top and on the back of the camera. The top-plate offers three choices for capture – auto, video and then the remaining option, where you can enter the manual and creative shooting modes. Alongside this switch are the shutter release and its surrounding zoom control. The back of the camera is very clean, with just three controls alongside the large LCD. There are two selection buttons for image playback and entering the menus, and then there’s a rotating/rocking wheel to navigate the menus and alter the camera settings. This is very easily achieved thanks to a very intuitive menu system and 3in screen that makes it easy to see what you are doing. All this ensures that the IXUS is very easy to get to grips with, and it is simple enough to find your way around.
Performance Having a fast operation is a positive element in the IXUS 300 HS performance. Despite this fast capture speed, you have to pre-plan the capture if your subject is fast. This is because the camera takes a short while to think about exposure and focus, so the subject could be gone before the shutter fires. Pre-planning and pressing the shutter early is the best way around this. The creative modes are great fun in use, and the fisheye effect is very impressive for a digital filter. It does, however, fail to deliver sharp images with this filter, but it is fun all the same. In low light, the camera can struggle to focus, so the low light mode can be limiting if your subject moves. Picture quality is not the greatest as the focus is a touch soft, especially at long range. Exposure is generally good, but it can be a touch over at times.
Final verdict This is a nice compact that has a very impressive specification. It’s quite expensive at around £350, but you do get HD video and some great features for your money, and with red, silver and white options available alongside the black tested here, it’s stylish in both looks and feel. The IXUS 300 HS is very simple to use and the menus are nice and clear, especially with a 3in screen to view them on. The images are not fantastic, but they are reasonable for a 10MP compact with a small sensor.
www.canon.co.uk
Product specifications Street price £350
Effective resolution 10MP
Sensor type 6.16x4.62mm Exmor APS HD CMOS
Lens (35mm equivalent) 28-105mm f/2-f/5.3
Exposure modes Auto, PAS, creative modes & HD movie
Metering modes Evaluative, centre-weighted and spot
ISO range Auto, 125-3200 (6400 at 2.5MP)
Shooting speed 3.7fps (8.4fps at 2.5MP)
Card type SD/SDHC/SDXC
LCD monitor size 3in
Aspect ratio 4:3 (Still), 16:9 (Movie)
Focus TTL, AiAF (9-point), Single, Servo AF/AE and Face Detection
Built-in stabilisation Yes
Weight/size (wxhxd) 175g/100x54.1x23.6mm