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Canon PowerShot S300 Canon makes a major update to their original S100 "Digital ELPH": More zoom, more controls, and better photos. Hard to beat! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet PowerShot S300 Sample Images --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Executive Overview 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power, Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on PowerShot S300 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Camera Modes & Menus :(Previous) | (Next): Video, Power, Software>> Page 10:Image Storage & Interface Review First Posted: 4/5/2001

Image Storage and Interface
The S300 stores images on CompactFlash type I memory cards, and an 8MB card comes with the camera. Upgrades available up to 128 megabytes from Canon, and currently (Spring 2001) to as large as 512 megabytes from third party manufacturers. The remaining image capacity at the current resolution/quality setting is shown on the LCD monitor when the camera is turned on. When the number reaches zero, the camera beeps and the LED next to the optical viewfinder flashes or, if the LCD viewfinder is enabled, a "CF card full" message appears on the display. The table below shows the number of images of each size that can be stored on the provided 8MB memory card, and the approximate level of JPEG compression used for each.

Image Capacity vs Resolution/Quality		Super Fine	Fine	Normal
High Resolution 1600x1200	Images	7	11	24
	Approx. Compression	5:1	8:1	17:1
Standard Resolution 1024x768	Images	16	24	46
	Approx. Compression	5:1	7:1	14:1
Low Resolution 640x480	Images	35	50	87
	Approx. Compression	4:1	6:1	10:1

As you would expect, the CompactFlash card should never be removed while the camera is in operation to avoid damaging the media. A flashing green LED next to the optical viewfinder indicates when the camera is accessing the card. The card fits into a slot on the side of the camera, protected by a plastic flap that snaps firmly into place and that is released by a sliding switch.

You can protect individual images on the CompactFlash card while in Playback mode through the Playback menu. Once protected, images cannot be erased unless the entire CompactFlash card is formatted or the protection is subsequently removed. The Single Erase menu option under the Playback menu allows you to erase individual images while in Playback mode. Likewise, the Erase All option allows you to erase all frames on the card (except those that are write protected). The entire card can also be erased by formatting, available through the Record menu. Images can also be rotated in 180 degree increments or setup for DPOF printing through the Playback menu.

Frames are stored on the CompactFlash card and assigned file numbers from 0001 to 9999, organized in folders containing up to 100 images. Through the Setup menu, the File Number Reset option allows you to turn on the file number reset option, which resets the file number each time a card is inserted into the camera. Otherwise, the camera assigns a continuing number from the last file number of the last card used. This prevents the same file number being used for images taken together and saved on multiple cards.

A USB cable and two software CDs accompany the camera, for high speed connection to a computer. We clocked the S300's image download rate at 279 KBytes/second. This is about average among USB-equipped digicams we've tested. External card readers can be more than twice as fast, but 279 KB/second is fast enough to completely empty a full 8 MB memory card in only 28 seconds. (Likely to be fast enough for most users.)