Canon Digital IXUS 40/Powershot SD300

[chconline Veteran]

Canon Digital IXUS 40/Powershot SD300

Source: APH Networks Forums (Review also written by me)

Long sheet of specifications.

Canon_Digital_IXUS_40.doc

Camera Front.

Camera Back.

Camera Top.

The set with the Lithium Ion battery and the SD Card.

The first time I got this camera, I was like: Wow. Most people will notice it's compact size. Compact size. Small size. Really compact. You get the idea... well... now you do, after all these photos.

Compared with a PC World magazine. Amazing it only covers only the letters W, O, and R?

It's not that much thicker than a CD case... kinda.

If you are too lazy to look at the specifications, heres a few simple specs that most people care about: it's 4.0 Megapixels, which means it can take photos at up to 2272x1704. Not bad right? I had to shrink all the photos to 400x300 before it goes online ;)

Anyone who has ever used a Canon digital camera knows that it has a major problem with shutter lag. Remember the days of A10s and A20s? Man, those cameras have poor poor shutter speeds. (Note: I took the photos of the IXUS 40/SD300 with that :whistling: ) Anyway, back on topic: this camera does not have the shutter lag problem, and night shots looks beautiful, as you can set it to either ISO50, ISO100, ISO200, and ISO400. Noise did appear at ISO200, but hey, I rather have noise than having crazy blurred images when taken at ISO50 :hehe:

Another thing to mention is that the quick start up of this camera, which is below 1 second. So carry it in your pocket all the time and make a quick shot when nesessary. (Note: Don't drop your camera, it's so light and small it's easily dropped. Thanks to the wristband, it saved my camera :rolleyes: )

So how good is it? Here's some sample pics, resized to 400x300 just for an example.

Nice view huh? Taken in my Hong Kong trip. Back on topic: Nice pic :woot:

Urban citylife. Anyway... 40 stories high, not bad place to test a camera?

Closeup shot of one of the Toshiba laptops. (Macro mode)

No, I am not an Intel fanboy, and that computer is not mine B) (Shot taken in macro mode)

Vegatarians: Drool. (Macro mode shot)

Walking across the street while pulling out the camera to take a pic. Not much blur? Yeah. The taxi was moving. (ISO400 nightshot)

I am serious, I was moving... walking across the street taking a photo. Even if I told you I was standing there, you shouldn't believe me... (ISO400 nightshot)

Here is the most amazing thing of all time, in the Canon digital camera world: GOOD SHUTTER SPEED! You don't believe me? Check this out.

Just another photo of a messy computer interior right? Yes, you are right. BUT: The computer is turned on. The shutter speed is so good (Flash and ISO100 used) that it captured a shot of a fan rotating at 3200RPM to appear to not move. AMAAAZING.

This camera also has the capability to shoot videos in AVI format... but I don't have the time to give you an official video. Hint: There are 2 of these videos floating around APH Networks Forums...

So... after talking about all the camera's capability (Well... I am no camera reviewer... anyway...) so what about battery life? Battery life is very important... especially if you used an older Canon camera, you will understand: It drains all your AA alkaline battery within 5 minutes if the LCD was turned on. This canera comes with a 750mAh Li-Ion battery, which is rated at around 150 shots. However, I've got about 400 shots out of this (Without flash) and 6-7 videos. Not too bad? Yeah.

The charger.

After praising this camera so much... well... let's start talking about what it's not good at. To tell the truth: Practically nothing, except for the fact that it is more expensive than the "normal size" cousins, and that this camera comes with only a 16MB SD card. Oh well... anyone who bought a digital camera knows that the manufacturers supply flash cards that you can take about 10 shots with ;)

In conclusion:

Pros: Great picture quality for normal people (like me) in general. Fast shutter speed. Compact. Good battery life. Quick startup.

Cons: Kind of expensive compared to larger sized but similar specification cameras.

Oh, and one last thing before we close: this camera is made in Japan :woot: :woot:

Rating 9.5/10

[jerry]

Good review (Y)

[Rob Veteran]

I have this exact camera and I concur -- it's an amazing piece of kit - excellent photos for the size of the camera and I find it feels very sturdy.

[chconline Veteran]

I appreciate its amazing shutter speed :laugh:

[sundayx Veteran]

im loving that camera and loving hong kong, tho i dont have the camera nor am i in hong kong at the moment

[chconline Veteran]

I have the camera... but not in hong kong anymore lol.

[DrunknMunky Veteran]

Good review, I'm buying the ixus700 later this week and I can't wait. Wish I had a camera when I was in Hong Kong, but only had my DV camera back then..

Hope you enjoy your new camera, it looks amazing :woot: :happy:

[chconline Veteran]

thx :D

[Rappy Veteran]

Brilliant Review...Thnks :)

[chconline Veteran]

ur welcome :D

[internetwar]

i have the same camera, but its the asian version, slightly change in size(smaller) and appearance(color). It's very handy for quickshots. I love it's panaromic shot feature. and, Hong Kong is awesome :D(y) do come here again

[nekrosoft13]

bad thing

poor red eye reduction

[Gotchaforce]

can you give us those shots of hong kong in a higher resolution? theyre neato bandito

im thinking... 1680x1050 :D

[chconline Veteran]

Heh... they go on my site later for wallpapers... sorry man.

[dreamz Veteran]

looks good. :cool:

i might get the sd400 soon.

[chconline Veteran]

Yeah... Canons really makes nice cameras..

[saxondale.]

just a quick question, when would you use macro mode?

[chconline Veteran]

When you want to take close up shots.

[NY1]

Here is a 2 macro shots I took with my SD300 :

It's a sweet little camera :D

[chconline Veteran]

Nice

[invaderzim_2004]

I agree-I own a Canon camera as well (but mine is a A400) and it's quite nice too.

[chconline Veteran]

Always worked for me.

[dreamz Veteran]

if anyone is interested, the sd400 is available for $359 at buy.com: https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=308247

i just got one. :)

[qdave]

good review and good cam :)

[sphere]

I've also have this camera.

But I've found the lcd scratches easily. I think it's the plastic thing on the chord that does it, not sure.