Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS user reviews (Red)

Pros Size; thinner than a pack of smokes
Price; got a good deal on Amazon
Photos; fantastic photos as usual from a Canon product

Cons Menus; different layout from older model Elph that this replaced. Not sure if the added "features" will be a benefit or an annoyance. And accessing them is a bit cumbersome.

Summary This was bought as a replacement for a 4 year old Canon Elph that we lost in a recent move. We wanted to get a Canon again as we were really happy with the ease of use and photo quality of the first one. The 300HS was getting pretty stellar reviews and I liked the addition of the CMOS sensor to this point and shoot camera. And I have not been disappointed with the purchase. The photos are great. The auto is darn simple to use. And I have poked around enough to find the settings that I used to adjust in manual mode on the older model, so that I can adjust them on the newer one. But I agree with Joshua that it is a bit laborious to get into some of the menus. Settings like Exposure, White Balance, and some color adjustments (vivid during sunsets with exposure adjustments make for some cool shots). I also like the 5x optical zoom on this small of a camera.
I wasn't too interested in the 1080p video function as I have other video specific cameras for that (MiniDV and a Flip Ultra HD). Yes, I know, but if I use this, than I don't have to carry around multiple devices. Well, the first video that I shot with the new 300 looked good from a color and clarity perspective but the image looked a little squished. I haven't played around with the settings too much, but when I played the video back on my HDTV through the composite connection (cables provided with camera), the image still looked squished, or short and fat.
For Joshua (CNET reviewer), the size was listed a potential Con. I'm 6' 4" with larger hands/fingers and I find the navigation fairly simple. It may be because the navigation is pretty much the same as the old one. But I can see why he listed it. The buttons are nice and small and lay very flat against the surface. This makes for a very clean, smooth exterior. Great for slipping in a pocket as you head out the door.
Kind of a random observation is that the case is built such that you can stand it up on a flat surface in both landscape and portrait mode for those timer still shots. I know that I have seen reviews of other models of cameras mentioning the lack of a flat edge on any of the sides.
I'm looking forward to some fall road trips with this little red camera capturing some fall color.

Updated on Dec 6, 2011

After using the 300 HS for a few months, I can say that I am pleasantly surprised by it's capabilities. Another review mentioned the dust on the lens and I have also noticed this at times. But it doesn't seem to be consistent so I'm not completely sure what's causing it. Could be moisture and not dust; from coming out of a warm pocket to the cooler air.
We used it a bunch over Thanksgiving and were extremely pleased with the results. It's small enough that I didn't even notice it in my pocket the whole weekend and so it was always available for capturing that candid moment.
I have also found myself using the slow motion capture a lot more than I originally thought that I would. It's a lot of fun and makes for some different uses of the camera. Nerf wars with the nephews take on a whole new perspective 120fps!

Pros -Really small
-1080p HD
-CMOS makes for good low light shooting.
-Red color is striking
-Comes with external battery charger

Cons -Menus are not quick
-Flash could be a little stronger
-LCD is only 2.7, (but it looks good)

Summary There really aren't many cameras out there in this size that do full 1080p for video. Don't be fooled by 1080i which is really 720p quality. I have tried hooking this up (you will need to purchase a mini HDMI to HDMI cord, I got one for $3) to my 46" HDTV, and the video looks good. The auto mode really does look good, and while not foolproof, gets it right most of the time with few exceptions. With the CMOS sensor, this camera shines in low light. Canon does an excellent job with photo quality. I looked at a lot of cameras, and this one really impressed me.