Canon releases IXUS 300HS Premium Compact with Manual Control: Digital Photography Review

Just in time for the summer vacation season, Canon has announced it’s newest consumer grade digital camera {DP Review}.  The PowerShot SD4000 IS (IXUA 300HS in Europe) is the newest camera in Canon’s ELPH line, and is made to shoot better pictures in low-light scenarios.

The SD4000 IS shares similar capabilities to the PowerShot S90, but is more focused on the point-and-shoot market than the amateur photography buff.  One interesting added feature is the ability to shoot 720p HD video, and then output the video via HDMI to an HDTV.  In terms of video, there is an included mode for “super slow motion.”  The camera will shoot your video at an ultra-high 240 frames per second, and then play it back at 30 fps making the video appear in slow motion.  The PowerShot S90, by comparison doesn’t seem to have any special video capabilities.

The PowerShot SD4000 IS lacks one major feature of the S90, however.  The S90 has a customizable control ring on the front of the camera allowing for an easy change of whatever setting you change it to.  The SD4000 IS, on the other hand, still requires you to go through menus or use the Canon designated shortcuts to change anything.

For those who always have trouble taking photos when someone blinks or just isn’t smiling, the included SmartShutter, which is included in both models, would be a great help.  SmartShutter will make it so the camera will wait to take a photo until the person is smiling or winking.

The design of the SD4000 may leave something to be desired, lacking the sleek simplicity of the S90, but it makes up for it in features and ease of use.  At $349.99, compared to $399.99 for the S90, the SD4000 IS might be the best choice for those who want a new camera to capture summer adventures without having to worry about low-light.