Canon PowerShot A3300 IS / A3200 IS review

The Canon PowerShot A3300 is based around a 16-megapixel, CCD image sensor coupled to a 5x optically-stabilized zoom lens that offers focal lengths ranging from a useful 28mm wide-angle to a moderate 140mm telephoto. Maximum aperture varies from f/2.8 to f/5.9 across the zoom range. Images on the Canon A3300 IS must be framed and reviewed on its 3-inch LCD panel, as there's no true optical viewfinder on this camera. The A3300 display has a resolution of 230,000 dots (~76,800 pixels, with three dots per pixel).

The Canon A3300's sensor allows sensitivities ranging from ISO 80 to ISO 1,600 equivalents, which extends to ISO 6,400 in Low Light mode. Exposures are determined using Evaluative, Center-weighted Average or Spot metering, and direct control of shutter speed or aperture isn't possible on this camera (except for a "Long Shutter" mode which lets you choose shutter speeds between 1 and 15 seconds). 2.0EV of exposure compensation is available, in 1/3EV increments. Seven white balance modes are available on the Canon A3300 IS - Auto, Manual, or five presets. The PowerShot A3300 IS's built-in flash strobe has a range of 13 feet at wide-angle, dropping to 6.6 feet at telephoto, and recharges in ten seconds or less.

The PowerShot A3300 offers Canon's Smart Auto mode, which intelligently selects optimal settings automatically for you, based on 32 predefined shooting situations. Ten manually selected scene modes are also available, and the camera includes Creative Filters such as Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Monochrome, Super Vivid and Poster Effect. A new Discreet mode disables the camera's sound, flash and AF assist beam for shooting in quiet situations.

As well as still images, the PowerShot A3300 IS can capture video clips at 720p HD resolution (1,280x720 pixels) at 30 frames-per-second, a first for the Canon A-series. VGA (640x480) and QVGA (320x240) resolutions are also available. Miniature Effect is available during moves, which drops the frame rate to as low as 1.5 fps. The Canon PowerShot A3300 IS stores images on SD / SDHC / SDXC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus cards, and draws power from a proprietary NB-8L rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack. Battery life is rated at 230 shots on a charge, to CIPA testing standards. Connectivity options include USB 2.0 high-speed data and NTSC / PAL standard definition video.

 

The Canon PowerShot A3300 IS began shipping from late February 2011, priced at around US$180. Available colors are grey, red, blue, silver, and pink.