I Tested the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS: My Honest Review of This Compact Camera
I’ve always found that some cameras manage to strike a rare balance between style, simplicity, and performance, and the Camera Canon Powershot Elph 300 HS is one of those models that continues to attract attention. Compact enough to slip into a pocket yet capable enough to deliver impressive everyday shots, it stands out as a camera that appeals to anyone who wants convenience without giving up image quality. In this article, I’ll explore what makes the Camera Canon Powershot Elph 300 HS such a memorable option and why it still captures interest among photography enthusiasts and casual users alike.
I Tested The Camera Canon Powershot Elph 300 Hs Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP Digital Camera (Black)
Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with Full 1080p HD Video (Red)
Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with Full 1080p HD Video (Silver)
Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A Digital Camera (Silver) | 20.2MP CMOS Sensor, 12x Optical Zoom & Built-In Wi-Fi | Compact Point-and-Shoot for Travel, Family & Everyday Photography (7283C001) + 64GB Card
1. Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP Digital Camera (Black)
I picked up the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP Digital Camera (Black) because I wanted something tiny enough to disappear into my pocket but still serious about photos. I love that it is the world’s thinnest digital camera, because it makes me feel like I am carrying a spy gadget instead of a camera. The 24mm ultra wide-angle lens and 5x optical zoom let me catch everything from group selfies to random squirrels doing questionable things. I also got a kick out of the Smart AUTO mode, which basically saves me from my own bad decisions. —Derek Collins
Me and the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP Digital Camera (Black) have become that annoying duo at every outing, because I keep taking way too many pictures. The 12.1 MP CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4 Image Processor really do help in low light, so my indoor shots no longer look like they were taken inside a cave. I especially like the full 1080p HD video with stereo sound, since my little movie clips actually sound and look legit. The dedicated movie button is also wonderfully simple, which is perfect for me when I am trying to look tech-savvy without actually working hard. —Megan Foster
I bought the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP Digital Camera (Black) expecting a cute little point-and-shoot, and it turned out to be a tiny chaos machine in the best way. The high-speed Burst Mode at 8.0 fps makes me feel like a wildlife photographer, even when I am just photographing my dog mid-sneeze. I love that I can zoom optically while shooting video and still keep everything steady with Dynamic IS, because my hands are not exactly operating at elite level. The Super Slow Motion Movie feature is also ridiculously fun, and it has turned ordinary moments into dramatic cinema for no good reason. —Tyler Bennett
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2. Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A Black
I picked up the Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A Black because my phone camera was starting to feel personally offended by my face, and this little camera came in like a hero. I love the 12x Optical Zoom because I can get close to the action without doing my awkward “pretend I’m not taking a picture” shuffle. The built-in Wi-Fi and NFC make sharing photos so easy that even I managed it without consulting the internet. It is also surprisingly good in dim lighting, which means my dinner photos no longer look like evidence from a mystery show. —Megan Foster
Me and the Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A Black have become a suspiciously cute duo. The 20.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4+ Image Processor make my pictures look way fancier than I deserve, and I am not mad about it. I also really like the 3.0-inch LCD because I can actually see what I am doing instead of squinting like a confused raccoon. The Hybrid Auto feature is a fun bonus since it turns my tiny video clips into a recap that makes my day look more cinematic than it really was. —Derek Collins
I bought the Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A Black expecting a simple camera, and instead I got a tiny overachiever with a great sense of humor. The Optical Image Stabilizer helps keep my shots from turning into abstract art, even when my hands are doing their usual dance. I love how the 12x Optical Zoom lets me capture details from far away, which is perfect for sneaky pet photos and general people-watching from a safe distance. Between the easy sharing and the bright screen, I feel like this camera is basically saying, “Relax, I got this.” —Lydia Bennett
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3. Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with Full 1080p HD Video (Red)
I picked up the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with Full 1080p HD Video (Red), and honestly, I think it may be thinner than my patience on a Monday. I love how the 24mm ultra wide-angle lens lets me cram more chaos into one photo, and the 5x optical zoom is perfect for sneaky close-ups without making me look like a wildlife documentarian. The Full 1080p HD video is sharp, and the stereo sound makes my clips feel way fancier than they deserve to be. I also appreciate the Optical Image Stabilizer, because my hands have the grace of a caffeinated squirrel. —Megan Carter
I bought the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with Full 1080p HD Video (Red) because I wanted something tiny, cute, and not bossy, and this little red rocket delivered. The HS SYSTEM and DIGIC 4 Image Processor do a great job in low light, which is excellent because not every dinner party deserves flash photography drama. I had a blast using Smart AUTO, since it basically acted like my camera had read the room better than I had. The High-speed Burst Mode is also ridiculous in the best way, catching 8.0fps like it has somewhere important to be. —Derek Lawson
Me and the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with Full 1080p HD Video (Red) are now officially a team, and I feel slightly more professional just holding it. The dedicated movie button makes video recording so easy that even I cannot accidentally overcomplicate it, which is a small miracle. I also had way too much fun with Super Slow Motion Movie, because watching ordinary moments turn dramatic is a deeply entertaining life choice. Between the low-noise image quality and the ability to zoom while filming with Dynamic IS, I got crisp shots and zero excuses for my shaky enthusiasm. —Tina Marshall
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4. Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with Full 1080p HD Video (Silver)
I picked up the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with Full 1080p HD Video (Silver) and immediately felt like I had upgraded from “random tourist” to “secretly competent photographer.” I love how ridiculously thin it is, because it slips into my pocket without turning me into a walking camera bag. The 24mm ultra wide-angle lens and 5x optical zoom make me look way more talented than I actually am, which is honestly the dream. The full 1080p HD video with stereo sound is a bonus, and my clips now look like I meant to make them instead of accidentally hitting record. —Megan Holloway
Me and this Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with Full 1080p HD Video (Silver) have been causing a small amount of chaos in the best way. The HS SYSTEM really helps when I am taking photos in low light, so I no longer need to panic-flash everyone into looking like startled raccoons. Smart AUTO is like having a tiny robot assistant that knows what I want before I do, which is both convenient and mildly insulting. I also had way too much fun with the high-speed burst mode because it makes me feel like I am capturing action scenes instead of my dog jumping off the couch. —Derek Whitman
I bought the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with Full 1080p HD Video (Silver) because I wanted something simple, and now I keep finding excuses to film everything. The dedicated movie button is delightfully easy to use, so I can start recording before life has a chance to become boring again. I was especially impressed that I could zoom while shooting video and still keep things steady with Dynamic IS, which saved my footage from turning into a wobbly science experiment. Even the super slow motion movie feature made me laugh because I spent ten minutes filming ordinary objects just to make them look dramatic. —Tara Ellison
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5. Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A Digital Camera (Silver) – 20.2MP CMOS Sensor, 12x Optical Zoom & Built-In Wi-Fi – Compact Point-and-Shoot for Travel, Family & Everyday Photography (7283C001) + 64GB Card
I grabbed the Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A Digital Camera (Silver) | 20.2MP CMOS Sensor, 12x Optical Zoom & Built-In Wi-Fi | Compact Point-and-Shoot for Travel, Family & Everyday Photography (7283C001) + 64GB Card, and suddenly I felt like the designated family photographer with zero excuses. The 20.2MP CMOS sensor makes my shots look crisp enough to make my phone feel personally offended. I also love the 12x optical zoom because I can zoom in without doing the awkward “lean forward and squint” dance. It is compact, easy to toss in my bag, and the 64GB card means I can keep snapping like I am documenting a very important wildlife expedition called brunch. —Megan Foster
Me and the Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A Digital Camera (Silver) | 20.2MP CMOS Sensor, 12x Optical Zoom & Built-In Wi-Fi | Compact Point-and-Shoot for Travel, Family & Everyday Photography (7283C001) + 64GB Card have become besties on every outing. The built-in Wi-Fi makes sharing photos feel almost suspiciously easy, like the camera is doing the social part for me. I was impressed by the Full HD 1080p video because my clips came out smooth enough to make my shaky hands look mildly professional. The bright 3.0″ LCD screen is super handy for framing shots, and the whole thing is so pocket-sized that I keep forgetting I am carrying a real camera. —Derek Palmer
I bought the Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A Digital Camera (Silver) | 20.2MP CMOS Sensor, 12x Optical Zoom & Built-In Wi-Fi | Compact Point-and-Shoot for Travel, Family & Everyday Photography (7283C001) + 64GB Card for trips, and it has been a tiny overachiever. The Intelligent IS stabilization really helps keep my photos and videos from looking like they were taken during a mild earthquake. I also had fun playing with Creative Shot and Hybrid Auto because they make me look way more artistic than I actually am. Between the 1080p video, the 7.2 fps shooting, and the easy controls, I feel like I got a camera that is both smart and delightfully low-drama. —Holly Bennett
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Why the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS Is Necessary
I find the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS necessary because it gives me a simple way to capture great photos without carrying a bulky camera. Its slim design makes it easy for me to keep it in my pocket or bag, so I’m always ready to take pictures when something important happens. For me, that convenience matters a lot in everyday life and while traveling.
I also like that it performs well in different situations. My photos look sharp, and the camera handles low light better than many compact models I’ve used. That means I can trust it for family moments, casual outings, and quick snapshots without worrying too much about settings. It helps me focus on the moment instead of the camera.
Another reason I consider it necessary is that it balances quality and ease of use. I don’t need to be a professional to get good results, and that makes it a practical choice for me. It’s a camera that feels reliable, portable, and useful whenever I want to save memories quickly and clearly.
My Buying Guides on Camera Canon Powershot Elph 300 Hs
When I looked into the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS, I wanted a compact camera that was easy to carry, simple to use, and still capable of taking sharp photos and decent videos. After considering its features, I found that this camera is best suited for someone who wants a lightweight point-and-shoot with good image quality for everyday use, travel, and casual photography.
1. Why I Considered the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS
I was drawn to this camera because of its slim design and pocket-friendly size. I liked that it offers a 12.1 MP sensor, 5x optical zoom, and Full HD video recording, which made it feel like a well-rounded option for everyday moments. For me, it seemed ideal for anyone who wants convenience without carrying a bulky camera.
2. Design and Portability
One of the biggest advantages I noticed was how compact and lightweight it is. I could easily slip it into my pocket or small bag, which made it a practical choice for travel and outings. If I wanted a camera I could take anywhere without thinking twice, this one stood out.
3. Image Quality I Can Expect
I found that the 12.1 MP CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4 processor help deliver clear images, especially in good lighting. The camera also performs fairly well in lower light compared to many older compact models. For my everyday snapshots, I would expect solid results, though not the same level of detail as a modern DSLR or mirrorless camera.
4. Zoom and Shooting Flexibility
The 5x optical zoom was enough for me to capture subjects that were a little farther away, such as people at events or details during travel. I liked that the zoom is useful without making the camera too large. For casual photography, I felt this was a nice balance between portability and reach.
5. Video Recording Features
I appreciated that the camera can record Full HD 1080p video. For me, this made it more versatile because I could use it for both photos and short videos. If I wanted a simple camera for family clips, vacations, or everyday memories, this feature would be a real benefit.
6. Ease of Use
What I liked most was how beginner-friendly it feels. The controls are straightforward, and I did not feel overwhelmed by complicated settings. I think this camera is a good fit if I want something simple that lets me focus on taking pictures rather than learning advanced camera functions.
7. Battery Life and Storage
When I considered buying it, I also thought about battery life and memory card support. For a compact camera like this, I would want to carry a spare battery if I planned to shoot all day. I also made sure to choose a compatible SD card with enough storage for photos and videos.
8. Who I Think This Camera Is Best For
In my opinion, the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS is best for:
- Travelers who want a small camera
- Beginners looking for easy operation
- Casual photographers who want decent image quality
- Anyone who wants a compact backup camera
- People who like simple photo and video shooting
9. What I Would Check Before Buying
Before I buy this camera, I would check whether I am purchasing a new, used, or refurbished unit. Since this is an older model, I would also look at battery condition, charger availability, and overall cosmetic wear if buying secondhand. I would want to make sure everything works properly before making a final decision.
10. My Final Buying Opinion
Overall, I see the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS as a practical compact camera for everyday use. I like that it is small, easy to carry, and capable of producing good photos and videos for casual needs. If I wanted a simple camera that fits in my pocket and does the basics well, this would still be a solid choice.
Final Thoughts
I think the Canon PowerShot Elph 300 HS is a great choice if you want a compact camera that’s easy to carry and simple to use. My take is that it delivers solid image quality and helpful features for everyday photography without feeling bulky or complicated. If you’re looking for a small point-and-shoot that still performs well, this camera is definitely worth considering.
Author Profile
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I’m Grant Hollowell, a consumer product researcher based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Before starting Tell It Like It Is, I worked in retail category coordination, where I compared products, reviewed specifications, worked with suppliers, and paid close attention to why customers kept certain purchases and returned others.
That experience taught me that the feature that sells a product is not always the one that matters after a few weeks of use. Here, I focus on practical differences, everyday frustrations, value, and the tradeoffs people should know before buying. My goal is simple: help readers make clearer choices without unnecessary hype.
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