INTRODUCTION
The Canon EOS 300, normally sold as a standard kit that comes with an EF 28-80mm lens, is surely one of the best value available in the market right now for new photography beginner.
I have already quite a number of new members in our photography clubs that opt for this cheap value options. With an average purchase price of $250 by them, I find it is really a bargain, especially considering you got an okay lens to start with.
BUILD
This is one area that I am rather not pleased with. The plastic body not only look weak and fragile, holding it on hand make you agree with your eyes. I cannot help to have the feeling that it might just break open when you knock it somehow somewhere.
The Canon EOS 300 does come with a good design handgrip, which make shooting easy and comfortable in both horizontal and vertical position.
FOCUSING
The Canon EOS 300 offers both Auto focus and Manual focus to the user.
In the Manual Focus mode, focusing is done by turning the focusing ring on the lens till the image on the viewfinder look sharp. This operation is normally the same for a lot of camera.
In the Auto Focus Mode, it offers two AF modes: One-shot and Automatic selection (switches from One-shot to AI Servo according to subject movement). The Canon EOS 300 employed the use of TTL-SIR (Secondary Image Registration) phase detection type using CMOS sensor for its AF function.
It has a AF working range of EV 1 to 18 at ISO 100, which means that in dim lighting situation, the AF might have problem in working. Better model will have a lower range of at least EV -1.
EXPOSURE
The Canon EOS 300 offers 3 types of metering systems, namely,
1) 35-zone evaluative metering
2) Central partial metering
3) Center-weighted average
It offers 5 Advance modes, as in
1) Intelligent Program AE
2) Shutter Priority
3) Aperture Priority
4) Metered Manual
5) Auto Depth-of-field AE
And also the following 6 program modes, as in
1) Green Zone (Full Auto)
2) Portrait
3) Landscape
4) Close-up
5) Sports
6) Night scene
FEATURES
The Canon EOS 300 also provides the following features
01) Build in TTL Flash
02) Flash Sync of 1/90s
03) AF Auxiliary Light
04) Camera-shake Warning
05) Multiple Exposures
06) Exposure Compensation
07) Auto Exposure Bracketing
08) Red-eye Reduction
09) Depth of Field Preview
10) Shutter Speed of 1/2000s to 30s plus Bulb
11) Self-timer
LENS
The Canon EOS 300 employs the Canon EF Lens Mount.
The Canon EOS 300 will accept the entire range of Canon EF-Mount lens line, but will not accept all the old Canon MF lenses.
Canon original lenses tend to be more expensive, but there are of superb quality and fast speed. There are cheaper third party lenses available from the likes of Sigma, Tamron etc for selection to meet your needs at a very reasonable price. For better picture quality, stick with the canon lens.
The Canon EF 28-80 lens that comes with the Canon EOS 300 is of a lower quality. It is a very plastic lens, just like the body. It is a good starter lens for a beginner, but to proceed on from there, a better higher quality Canon lenses should be purchase.
QUALITY TEST
I have done numerous session together with the members who owned the Canon EOS 300, and I myself got the chance to use it during practice time with them.
The last session was conducted in a local fun fair. The film loaded was Kodak Gold 400.
How easy was the Canon EOS 300 when it comes to usage? A lot of buyer is interested in this question. Actually, the Canon EOS 300 is very easy to use, very much like a point and shoot camera, house in a SLR body. Although you must have a basis knowledge of SLR operation to think this way. I have no trouble using the camera, even without reading the manual. I believe my experience with my previous Canon Elan IIe helps in this aspect. The newcomers are all very comfortable with the camera, and seems like there have been using it for some times.
The arrangement and symbols on the body is easy to apprehend, so I believe it is no obstacles for anyone to understand them. The great ergonomic design by Canon is definitely worthy of praise in this aspect.
The Canon EOS 300 offers a shutter speed range of 1/2000s to 30s, plus Bulb. The provision of 1/2000s might not sound a lot to many users, but truly in fact, very few photography opportunities required such a shutter speed. Lose of speed in this situation can be compensated by using a faster film.
The Autofocus function of the Canon EOS 300 is very good, especially in One-Shot mode. All the shots taken by the students in this mode is very sharp and well in focus. Neither the students nor myself have any trouble with this mode.
As in the Automatic Selection mode for Autofocus, I am less impressed. Moving objects is hard to maintain in focus, especially fast moving objects. During low light situation, matter is worst. From the output of the students, I can tell that they are having great difficulty to keep it accurate.
The 35-zone evaluative metering is definitely one of the best available in the market for SLR camera in this price zone. All the shots taken during the day was conducted in this metering mode. All the shots taken are very well exposed, with no sign of wrong exposure settings. I did not manage to try the Central partial metering and Center-weighted average metering, so I can’t commend much about them.
The build in flash, with an ISO guide number of 12m (at ISO 100ft), which is very weak. But for better flash effects, dedicated Canon EX series flash units will provide better results. The cheap Canon 380EX is a very good choice.
The Canon EOS 300 also provides the capability of Multiple Exposure and Camera Shake Warning. I managed to try both out and both function reasonably well.
SUMMARY
The Canon EOS 300 is a good camera, but only for the beginner. If you are serious about this hobby, look further up the ladder, and you will find a more worthy choice that will last much more longer.
