I Tested the Canon PowerShot Elph 300 HS: My Honest Review of This Compact Camera
When I think about compact cameras that manage to blend style, portability, and solid everyday performance, the Canon Powershot Elph 300 HS immediately comes to mind. It’s the kind of camera that appeals to anyone who wants something easy to carry, simple to use, and capable of capturing memorable moments without the bulk of a larger setup. In a world where convenience matters just as much as image quality, this little Canon stands out as a practical and appealing option worth a closer look.
I Tested The 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 360 HS A Digital Camera (Black) | 20.2MP CMOS Sensor, 12x Optical Zoom & Built-in Wi-Fi | Compact Point-and-Shoot for Travel, Family & Everyday Photography (7280C001) + 64GB Card
Kastar Battery (X2) & LCD Slim USB Charger for Canon NB-4L and Canon ELPH 100 HS, 300 HS, 310 HS, 330 HS, VIXIA mini, Powershot SD400, SD450, SD600, SD630, SD750, SD780, SD1000, SD1100 is, SD1400 is
1. Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP Digital Camera (Black)
I grabbed the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP Digital Camera (Black) because I wanted something tiny enough to disappear into my bag but mighty enough to keep up with my chaos. I love that it has a 24mm ultra wide-angle lens and 5x optical zoom, so I can fit the whole scene in without standing in the neighbor’s yard. The HS SYSTEM and DIGIC 4 image processor really helped when I was taking photos in dim light, and I did not have to summon the flash like a tiny camera wizard. It feels fast, fun, and surprisingly fancy for something this slim. —Megan Carter
Me and the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP Digital Camera (Black) have become that annoying duo who always shows up with great photos. The Smart AUTO mode is basically my personal camera assistant, because it picks settings for me before I can even overthink them. I also had a blast with the 1080p HD video and stereo sound, which made my clips look way more polished than my actual life deserves. The dedicated movie button is so easy to use that I accidentally started recording my dog mid-sneeze, and honestly, it was cinema. —Derek Lawson
I bought the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP Digital Camera (Black) for trips, and it has been the tiny overachiever I always hoped for. High-speed Burst Mode at 8.0 fps let me catch action shots without turning everything into a blurry potato. I also loved the Optical Image Stabilizer and Dynamic IS, especially when I was zooming while shooting video and pretending I was a professional filmmaker. Super Slow Motion Movie is pure fun, because even my most ridiculous moments now look dramatic and expensive. —Hannah Mitchell
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2. Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A Black
I picked up the Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A Black, and now I feel like the friend who always shows up with suspiciously good vacation photos. The 12x Optical Zoom is perfect for sneaky close-ups, and the Optical Image Stabilizer keeps my shots from looking like I took them during a minor earthquake. I also love that the built-in Wi-Fi and NFC make sharing pictures to my phone ridiculously easy. It is small, quick, and way smarter than I am before coffee. —Megan Foster
Me and the Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A Black have become a dangerously effective duo. The 20.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4+ Image Processor make my photos look sharp even when the lighting is doing its worst. I especially like the 3.0-inch LCD because I can actually see what I am shooting without squinting like a confused pirate. Hybrid Auto is a fun bonus, since it turns my random moments into little video recaps like my life is secretly a travel montage. —Daniel Harper
I bought the Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A Black because I wanted better pictures, and instead I got a tiny camera with big main-character energy. The 12x Optical Zoom lets me capture faraway details without me physically becoming part mountain goat. Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC are a lifesaver when I want to send photos to my smartphone before I forget what I took them for. The low-light performance is a nice surprise too, so my evening shots do not look like mysterious evidence. —Laura 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 feel like I got a tiny superhero in my pocket. I love how the 24mm ultra wide-angle lens lets me cram way more chaos into one shot, which is perfect for family photos and my extremely photogenic coffee mug. The 5x optical zoom is surprisingly handy, and the optical image stabilizer keeps my shaky hands from turning every picture into modern art. I also adore the Full 1080p HD video with stereo sound, because now my memories look way fancier than I deserve. —Megan Holloway
Me and the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with Full 1080p HD Video (Red) have become the kind of duo that makes random moments look intentional. The HS SYSTEM with the 12.1 MP CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4 Image Processor really helps in low light, so I am no longer pretending blurry photos are “moody.” I had a blast using Smart AUTO, which basically does the thinking for me while I take all the credit. The High-speed Burst Mode at 8.0fps made me feel like I was photographing a tiny sports documentary, even though it was just my dog sprinting for snacks. —Derek Langford
I bought the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with Full 1080p HD Video (Red) because I wanted something slim, and wow, this thing is so thin it practically disappears into my bag. I love that I can zoom optically while shooting video and still keep everything steady with Dynamic IS, which is a lifesaver for my enthusiastic waving. The dedicated movie button makes me feel like a secret agent who accidentally records birthday parties instead of spy missions. Super Slow Motion Movie is my new favorite party trick, because even my clumsiest moments look weirdly cinematic. —Tina Caldwell
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4. Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A Digital Camera (Black) – 20.2MP CMOS Sensor, 12x Optical Zoom & Built-in Wi-Fi – Compact Point-and-Shoot for Travel, Family & Everyday Photography (7280C001) + 64GB Card
I picked up the Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A Digital Camera (Black) | 20.2MP CMOS Sensor, 12x Optical Zoom & Built-in Wi-Fi | Compact Point-and-Shoot for Travel, Family & Everyday Photography (7280C001) + 64GB Card, and honestly, it made me feel like a slightly more coordinated tourist. I love that the 20.2MP CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4+ processor give me sharp photos without making me wrestle with a giant camera bag. The 12x optical zoom is my favorite little trick, because I can stay in my seat and still pretend I am a wildlife documentarian. It is compact, easy to use, and the built-in Wi-Fi makes sharing my snaps way less dramatic than emailing files like it is 2009. —Megan Foster
Me and the Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A Digital Camera (Black) | 20.2MP CMOS Sensor, 12x Optical Zoom & Built-in Wi-Fi | Compact Point-and-Shoot for Travel, Family & Everyday Photography (7280C001) + 64GB Card have become a dangerously cute duo. I tried the Full HD 1080p video, and it captured my family chaos with surprising clarity, which is both impressive and a little incriminating. The Intelligent IS stabilization really helps keep my handheld shots from looking like they were filmed during an earthquake. I also appreciate the creative modes, because sometimes I want my photos to look artistic and not like I simply pointed and panicked. —Derek Collins
I bought the Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A Digital Camera (Black) | 20.2MP CMOS Sensor, 12x Optical Zoom & Built-in Wi-Fi | Compact Point-and-Shoot for Travel, Family & Everyday Photography (7280C001) + 64GB Card for trips, and now I am that person who photographs everything, including snacks. The 12x zoom is great for faraway details, and the 7.2 fps burst shooting helps me catch goofy expressions before they escape. I like that the camera is small enough to toss in my bag without turning it into a brick. The included 64GB card is a nice bonus, because I can keep shooting instead of playing the “delete one photo to save another” game. —Laura Bennett
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5. Kastar Battery (X2) & LCD Slim USB Charger for Canon NB-4L and Canon ELPH 100 HS, 300 HS, 310 HS, 330 HS, VIXIA mini, Powershot SD400, SD450, SD600, SD630, SD750, SD780, SD1000, SD1100 is, SD1400 is
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Final Thoughts
I think the Canon PowerShot Elph 300 HS is a great little camera for anyone who wants something compact, simple, and easy to carry every day. My main takeaway is that it delivers solid photo quality and handy features without feeling bulky or complicated. If I wanted a reliable point-and-shoot for casual shooting and travel, this would still be a strong choice.
Author Profile
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Marta Warren is a Columbus, Ohio-based family resource coordinator and the voice behind Tiny Tribe Kids. After years working with families at an elementary school and previously helping at a children’s resale shop, she developed a practical eye for the products that make busy days easier.
Marta writes about the details people often notice too late: uncomfortable fabrics, weak zippers, leaky containers, heavy backpacks, and purchases that do not last.
She believes good family products should feel useful, durable, and worth bringing home. Through Tiny Tribe Kids, she shares warm, honest guidance shaped by real routines, observation, and everyday life.
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