Expected better from Canon, but alarmingly disappointed in the 310 HS...

The Canon 310 HS Elph has been reviewed favorably by multiple websites as a leader in its class of point-and-shoot cameras. However, after extensively testing the camera, I must unfortunately disagree and recommend looking elsewhere outside of Canon for a good quality point-and-shoot camera.


THE GOOD:

|| Camera weight is light but feels relatively sturdy

|| 8x optical zoom is a cut above average for its class

|| Menus are intuitive--something Canon has continually gotten right

|| Low-light image quality in Auto mode is above average for its class

|| Included software interface is easy to use

|| Can use the optical zoom during video recording (although the auto-focus sometimes fails when doing this)


THE BAD:

|| Picture quality is subpar--there is overly-compensated noise suppression, leading to blurry, median-filtered images

|| Auto mode does not include the option to turn the flash on--only "Auto" (i.e., let the camera decide)

|| Flash is partially covered by the lens, causing a small dark spot in the lower right of images

|| Shutter speed with the flash on is very slow

|| Overabundance of program modes, many unnecessary

|| Very little manual control

|| Auto-focus is fussy and sometimes fails altogether

|| Lens cover is very tenuously built

|| Canon awkwardly repositions the Menu button to the right side of the camera on this 310 HS model

|| Deleting an image now requires several steps through menus rather than Canon's previous single-button delete option--a terrible user interface change

|| Video recording is in the proprietary Quicktime format

|| Audio quality is *inexcusably terrible* on videos--muffled, lowpass-filtered sound and biased to the right speaker


BOTTOM LINE:

This camera was intended to replace my Canon Elph 850-IS from 5 years ago (a very reliable and good-quality point-and-shoot), and sadly that 850-IS took better photographs and was built with higher quality than this current-day Elph 310 HS. The 310 HS was chosen based on multiple positive camera review sites, but after testing this camera I cannot agree.

Canon appears to have *worsened* its point-and-shoot product over the years, likely focusing its efforts on its high-end SLR line rather than trying to compete with the burgeoning use of (inferior but popular) phone cameras as point-and-shoots. It's a disappointment coming from such a big name as Canon.

8x optical zoom and 12 megapixels are alluring, but for the person looking for a good-quality point-and-shoot camera with better features, controls, and image quality than a phone, look to another brand as Canon appears to have made some serious recent compromises to the quality of their imaging products.

Very satisfied, not sorry that I purchased

I have waited nearly 8 months to write a review on this camera because I wanted to make sure that I have taken a sufficient number of photos to give what I think is a fair review.I hate reviews written on a product that bash the person that sold the item because of problems and never mention the item. I have now gone on 2 vacations and have taken about 3300 photos so now is the time.I already have a Cannon Power Shot SD1100IS camera that I like very much that I bought in 2009, and have taken almost 10000 photos with but I wanted a camera with a better zoom for about $200.I like the Cannon software for editing pictures so that is why I stayed with the Cannon.Most of the reviews that I read on this camera seemed to mention the same dislikes so to eliminate the main one I bought an extra 2 batteries on line for less than $10 which takes care of that complaint.While I'm on vacation I always have my camera in my shirt pocket so that no opportunity for a photo is ever missed,it is nothing for me to take a several hundred photos in a day, and yes I had to change the battery out at times,but having them handy makes for no problems.Another complait was the lens shield,people complaind that it was easily moved, and yes this a fact, it moves much easier than my older Canon,but I have noticed on many brand cameras that have a zoom lens that extends 2 stages this is true.Like I said I carry mine in my shirt pocket with no case and its not been a problem yet.I so far have used this camera only in the Auto mode, letting it decide what settings should be used and so far the results are great,the only features I use regularly is the playback and to erase unwanted photos.The HD screen display puts my friends older sony screen to shame.The only real complaint I have is that I think the plastic door that you open to download picture to your computer is too large and much to flimsy, and that even though I know we are supposed to conserve paper there is no hard copy of the manual to carry with me to look up any questions that I have at night.I do not use the movie feature or edit any picture on the camera as I like to see photos larger when I edit,so I won't comment on that.All in all a great little camera that's worth the money.PS I still carry my older camera with me also,and use occasionally.

Richly stylish & loaded with more features than its small size lets on.

After searching and reading reviews from knowledgeable & far more experienced photographers I purchased this from an e-bay seller of cameras & supplies....I wanted something that would fit in my shirt pocket inside a protective case (purchased separately) and this fit the bill ....My ole KODAK easy share C743 died when I accidently overcharged my Li-on batteries & fried a circuit or something....The amount of features that comes with these newer cameras are amazing...The controls are kinda small (I imagine someone with big calloused hands would have some trouble with them) but I soon got used to them...I like that I can view my photos & videos on a Digital TV or computer monnitor ...Make sure you buy a better quality memory card for optimum results...The software CD installed without any trouble on my Windows XP & It only took me a few minutes to figure out how to view and print pictures ...(I'm about next to incompetent with a PC) ...Without using the users guide I was able to zoom & take great photos & review them on my PC...The more I play with it the more I learn , and the CD-rom guide is easier to read & understand (for me) than the little booklet...I was glad to see that the case I bought for this camera ( also a Cannon )came with an easy to apply screen protector...I would hate to scratch this beauty...The view screen is almost twice the size of my ole Kodak C743 and the USB ports are hidden away under a easy to open cover (less chance of dirt & lint plugging things up) ...Far more features for about the same cost of my ole Kodak $200 & about 1/2 inch thinner & 1/2 inch narrower too...I put in a 16 GB memory card & it's supposed to hold approx. 5042 shots....I found extra battery packs online way cheaper than I ever expected ( less than you would pay for 4 regular AA batteries) Even Cannon's OEM batteries can be found for about $10...And the supplied charger is as nice and compact & uncomplicated as you can get ( just a bit bigger than an ole zippo lighter) with no wires to tangle up....For a simple point and shoot camera this one is richly stylish & loaded with more features than it's small size lets on...I've already recomended it to an Uncle & several close friends..
+

This camera is AMAZING!

This camera is AMAZING! So many features, can't wait to try them all. The color options and quality are unbelievable. Best camera I have ever owned. The smile feature is unreal.

Over all very satisfied of the camera.

Great product a lot of features.

Also the image quality is good but not the best since it's a compact camera.

When shooting in auto mode the picture is not so accurate,

You have to enter program mode in order to have great looking pictures and it takes its time and many tries and errors.