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Canon PowerShot Elph 310 HS

*Est. $220

Reviewed

February 2012

by ConsumerSearch

Top midrange compact camera packs high-end features

Pros

Vivid 3-inch LCD
Long 8x zoom lens
Advanced optical image stabilization
Full HD video (1080p)
Great image quality
Simple operation

Cons

No manual controls
Short battery life

Where to Buy

for $289.99

Our Analysis
Specs
221 Amazon Reviews

The Canon PowerShot Elph 310 HS wins over reviewers with its high-end features, great photos and simple operation. "Fantastically powerful," say editors at Steves-Digicams.com, while PCMag.com gives it an Editors' Choice award. The pocket-friendly 310 HS brims with features: a 3-inch LCD, 8x optical zoom lens, Canon's newest Intelligent IS lens stabilization and DIGIC 4 processor and a 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor optimized for better low-light photos. While the LCD and lens are a step up from the Canon PowerShot Elph 300 HS (*Est. $150) , both cameras offer full HD video (1080p) with zoom, a dedicated record button, a super-slow-motion mode like that found on Casio Exilim models and an HDMI cable for TV playback. Reviewers say the camera's large buttons, easy menus and automatic shooting modes make it easy for anyone to pick up and use.

Image quality excels with clarity and detail that's "amazing," say editors at Steves-Digicams.com. In low-light tests at PCMag, the 310 HS outranks the Samsung ST80 , while users at Amazon.com say the video quality is superb. Critics like the perky continuous shooting mode, which cranks out about two shots per second. However, the 310 HS suffers from a short battery life and lacks the more versatile manual controls of the Canon PowerShot Elph 500 HS . Nevertheless, experts and users agree that the 310 HS is one of the best cameras out there. It's a "pretty compelling proposition," says Ken McMahon at CameraLabs.com.

PCMag.com and CameraLabs.com have the most comprehensive reviews of the Canon PowerShot Elph 310 HS. Both sources compare the 310 HS to its closest rivals, including other models within the Canon Elph lineup. Steves-Digicams.com and PhotographyBlog.com provide detailed evaluations, while user reviews at Amazon.com show how the camera fares with extended use outside the test labs.

Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with Full 1080p HD Video (Silver)

from Amazon.com

New: $229.00

In Stock.

Average Customer Review:

Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with Full HD Video and Ultra Wide Angle Lens (Silver)

from Amazon.com

New: $279.00 $135.00

In Stock.

Average Customer Review:

Where To Buy

Canon PowerShot ELPH 310 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 8x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom Lens and Full 1080p HD Video (Pink)

(221 reviews)
Buy new: $359.99 $289.99 5 Used & new from $199.00

In Stock.

Our Sources

1. PCMag.com

With its small size, high-resolution LCD, excellent image quality and HD video, the Canon PowerShot Elph 310 HS replaces the Kodak EasyShare M580 as the Editors' Choice award. Jim Fisher likes the versatile focal length of the lens and zippy shooting speeds, although the 24 frames-per-second video puts a limit on shooting fast action scenes.

Review: Canon PowerShot Elph 310 HS, Jim Fisher, Oct. 25, 2011

2. StevesDigicams.com

The ultra-compact Canon PowerShot Elph 310 HS embraces "all that we loved about the 300 HS," say editors at Steves-Digicams.com. It's an affordable yet powerful camera that offers high-quality features and ease of use. Complaints are few, but include a short flash range and burst rate that falls short of Canon's claims.

Review: Canon PowerShot Elph 310 HS Review, Editors of Steves-Digicams.com, Not Dated

3. Camera Labs.com

Ken McMahon says the 310 HS makes a great pick for anyone looking for a point-and-shoot with excellent features and a longer-than-average zoom lens. He also likes the "clear and punchy" LCD display and says the camera is "surprisingly easy" to hold, but that image quality lags behind the Canon PowerShot Elph 300 HS.

Review: Canon Elph 310 HS / Ixus 230 HS, Ken McMahon, Nov. 2011

4. PhotographyBlog.com

The Canon Ixus 230 HS (the European name for the Canon PowerShot Elph 300 HS) might not be the best Canon released so far, "but it certainly performs where it counts," says Matt Grayson, who highly recommends it. He likes the robust features, improved sensor and great image quality but says the battery door is flimsy.

Review: Canon Ixus 230 HS Review, Matt Grayson, Nov. 3, 2011

5. Amazon.com

"This is where the camera really shines. The videos are fantastic," says one owner of the Canon PowerShot Elph 310 HS. Most of the more than 80 users agree that it's a great camera for the money, with clear, crisp photos. Complaints are few and far between, but several users report short battery life, and a few had problems with the lens jamming.

Review: Canon PowerShot Elph 310 HS, Contributors to Amazon.com, As of Feb. 2012

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