Flash / AF assist lamp

Beside one another in the top right corner of the camera are the flash and AF assist lamp, the latter automatically illuminates the subject with a bright white light in low light situations, acting as an aid for the contrast-detect AF system, unlike other digital cameras there is no option to turn off the IXUS 300's AF assist lamp. The flash is the same found on last years Digital IXUS with a relatively good specified range of 3.5 m (11.5 ft) at full wide and 2.0 m (6.6 ft) at full tele it should provide enough punch for the majority of simple flash situations (tested later in this review).

Tripod mount / camera base

The base of the camera is a fairly simple affair, the tiny screws a reassuring confirmation of the cameras solid all-metal build. Just like the original Digital IXUS, the 300's tripod mount seems to be an afterthought almost right on the right edge of the base, sufficient I suppose for small tabletop tripods but not for anything serious.

Optional SC-PS500 soft case

An optional, but highly recommended optional accessory is the SC-PS500 soft case, finished in grey suede it has a belt hook and hole for the wrist strap and comes with a removable Compact Flash case which can carry up to four extra Compact Flash cards, this can be stuck in place between the main case and the cover or stowed separately. I personally would describe it as "semi-soft" as both the front and back of the case have hard plastic inner.

Optional ACK-500 AC adapter

If you require it there is also an AC adapter option, this uses a dummy battery with a small jack connector which connects to the AC adapter through a hole in the battery compartment door (under a removable rubber grommet). The adapter will operate at a supplied voltage of 100 - 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz.

Optional WP-DC100 Waterproof Case

The optional WP-DC100 waterproof case is designed for the IXUS 300 (S300 ELPH), it converts it into a fully waterproof, fully operational digital camera that can be used at depths of up to 30 m (100 ft). The case is (of course) fully air-tight and held closed with a tight, catch locked, claspe mechanism. Useful for diving, in the rain or for days at the beach! All buttons are repeated on the outside of the case and the lens window is made of coated glass. The case with the IXUS 300 weigh a total of 538 g (1.19 lb). (Note: case is supplied with a strap)

Kudos must go to Canon for this excellent case, it seems to work very well (though I've not been diving recently ;) is very well built and doesn't inhibit the cameras ability to take great shots.

WP-DC100 Waterproof Case	Case open, IXUS 300 inserted	Case closed, note the claspe mechanism
Front view with IXUS 300 inserted	Rear view with IXUS 300 inserted	Supplied anti-fogging cleaner and silicon grease.

Optional CP-10 Card Photo Printer

The IXUS 300 is one of the new generation Canon digital cameras which can be connected directly to the CP-10 dye-sub card photo printer (which can produce 3.4 x 2.1 in photo quality prints), connection is made by the "digital" (USB) port with a single cable, this enables a new print-per-frame and "print" option in the DPOF menu. For a full review of the CP-10 click here.

Supplied In the Box

Europe / SE Asia Americas (US / Canada) Japan Digital IXUS 300 Wrist Strap Battery Charger CB-2LSE Battery Pack NB-1L Battery Pack Case AC Cable (E type) Interface Cable (for USB) Video Cable CD-ROM (Driver, Appl. software) 8 MB Compact Flash card Case for Compact Flash card PowerShot S300 DIGITAL ELPH Wrist Strap Battery Charger CB-2LS Battery Pack NB-1L Battery Pack Case Interface Cable (for USB) Video Cable CD-ROM (Driver, Appl. software) 8 MB Compact Flash card Case for Compact Flash card IXY 300 DIGITAL Wrist Strap Battery Charger CB-2LS Battery Pack NB-1L Battery Pack Case Video Cable 8 MB Compact Flash card Case for Compact Flash card

Accessories

Optional accessories for the Digital IXUS 300 include additional NB-1L batteries, the SC-PS500 semi-soft case, a waterproof case WP-DC100, and the ACK-500 AC adapter. Note: The availability of accessories may differ by region.