Decent but not as a main camera
Written: Mar 25 '06 (Updated Apr 14 '06)
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Pros: Decent picture Video capability with sound
Cons: where do I start.
The Bottom Line: Point and shoot , not much more you need to do with this camera , then again there is not much more you can do.
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| romeomccat's Full Review: Canon PowerShot A300 Digital Camera |
I am using this camera for work purposes. It is still a little new to me but i am familiar with digital cameras.
I will not go too into depth with the details of this camera since i have only been using it a few weeks , and this is an older camera.I am sure there are quite a few reviews with all the specs.
To start off with the pros .
It is fairly compact , not as small as the slim cameras ,
but in this price range it is small enough.
It takes AA batteries, so you will never be left stranded
without a battery like some of the other cameras that
have special batteries (IE: Nikon ,which I have owned).
A review of the Nikon Coolpix 880 that I used to use but since died on me can be found at this link.
http://www.epinions.com/content_162755874436
You can use rechargeable batteries which save money.
It takes compact flash memory which is getting very
inexpensive.
It takes video (not the greatest quality) with sound. If
you are looking for a good quality video , look
elsewhere. After all this is a still camera not a
camcorder.
It has a 5.1X digital zoom.
There is a cover that slides over for the lens to protect
it , much easier than having to put a lens cap on each
time you finish taking a picture.
Now the Cons.
No optical zoom, it has a 5.1X digital zoom , but that can
never take the place of an optical zoom.
The lag between taking a picture is a little long , but
you can live with it as long as you have good lighting. Once you need to use the flash , I hope you aren't going
anywhere for a while. It takes a while for the flash to
recharge, which is fairly common in most entry level
point and shoot cameras.
I have small to average size hands and my fingers
accidentally hit the buttons to view the previously taken
picture when I am trying to take a new picture. If you have large hands forget about it.
A few times I went to take a picture , but didn't realize
the little switch that changes from still to video had
been moved. As I am trying to take a picture i am
actually recording video. It is too easy to hit other
buttons on this camera while you are trying to do
something else.
This thing eats batteries like it's going out of style. I had taken a few pictures and I received a warning that batteries were low. These were new batteries too. So i put new ones in and a short time later I get the same message. Talking to a co worker who is using the same camera , I found out this is happening to him too.
I have been only using this camera for a short while , and it is serving the purpose , but if I was buying a camera , it would not be this one. The only advise i can say is before buying this or any camera try and get a feel for it in the store. Even if you buy online you should still see what it is like in the store. You can never go by one persons opinion. What might be good for one may not be good for another. You have to see if it is good for you , does it have what you are looking for.
Bottom line if you are considering this camera , you may
want to look at some others. I am sure there are others
in the class that are better. Its not a bad camera but I
didn't pay for it either. Enjoy and keep reading those
reviews and try as many as you can before buying.
If you are in a market for a digital camera and are unsure what to get remember this do not get anything less than 3MP if you plan to print out. Also remember that more MP's doesn't always mean better pictures.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Update
As of 4/1/06 I am no longer using this camera , I turned it in at work to another co-worker. I have noticed that my co-worker (who has bigger hands and fingers then me) seems to be hitting the the button that switches from still picture to video each time he has used it. Talking with others that use this camera at work , this seems to be a common problem.
Looking at some of the pictures I had taken in the past the quality was not bad . The only thing is what I was taken pictures of were electrical equipment and such which does not move.
This camera has been replaced with a Nikon Coolpix 4600. A review of that will follow along with the review of my Nikon D50 I just purchased after i get to play with that a little longer.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): Free
This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Fool-Proof for Absolute Beginners
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Epinions.com ID:
romeomccat
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Member: Brian
Reviews written: 10
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
38 year old male , married 11 1/2 yrs
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