Ixus 300 in UK

[EJN]

My local Jessops is what they call a 'small' store so no doubt they come low down on the distribution list but calling in for another purpose this morning I asked out of interest about the Ixus 300. "Just had two in" says the friendly manager. Out comes my trusty G1 with mutterings of doing a few test shots on my card to compare at home. Does everybody but me know that it can't be done (or shouldn't)? Opening the box , even HE was surprised to have to say that there is no mains unit included , only the mains external charger block into which the battery goes. The local shop at least are quite fussy and prefer (rightly) to sell NEW items so their policy is not to open anything, charge batteries etc. Fair enough, but whilst other dealers I'm sure may not be so fussy and you could get to use one elsewhere, don't think that, if you go to some Jessops at least. Silly of Canon isn't it - typical though - not to include a mains unit - wonder how much they are as another extra. Local place doesn't mind at all plugging into a mains unit - that's how I came to see/try my G1 - but without that of course what can they do.

It's been noted in another message but Jessops price on the 300 is £528. Anybody know other UK in-stock dealers better ??

EJN

 

[Zeon]

You can buy them at £441 at http://www.cameras-at-lowest-prices.co.uk/

Just bought one yesterday by phone. Number on their website. Next day free delvery. Seems a good service.

My local Jessops is what they call a 'small' store so no doubt they
come low down on the distribution list but calling in for another
purpose this morning I asked out of interest about the Ixus 300.
"Just had two in" says the friendly manager. Out comes my trusty
G1 with mutterings of doing a few test shots on my card to compare
at home. Does everybody but me know that it can't be done (or
shouldn't)? Opening the box , even HE was surprised to have to
say that there is no mains unit included , only the mains external
charger block into which the battery goes. The local shop at least
are quite fussy and prefer (rightly) to sell NEW items so their
policy is not to open anything, charge batteries etc. Fair enough,
but whilst other dealers I'm sure may not be so fussy and you could
get to use one elsewhere, don't think that, if you go to some
Jessops at least. Silly of Canon isn't it - typical though - not
to include a mains unit - wonder how much they are as another
extra. Local place doesn't mind at all plugging into a mains unit

• that's how I came to see/try my G1 - but without that of course

what can they do.
It's been noted in another message but Jessops price on the 300 is
£528. Anybody know other UK in-stock dealers better ??

EJN

 

[Alan38430]

Hi EJN.

Perhaps it depends on which branch of Jessops you go to, regarding this trying out business. At my local branch (Telford), which is very small, they always seem to have a queue of people waiting, but were still willing to let me have a go with a G1 (it had a charged battery, but no CF) to try out the Canon tele. At Wolverhampton, I had popped in on a Saturday morning for a browse, when I happened to start chatting to a sales assistant about the G1. I only mentioned that I got better results with single AF than continuous AF and he straightaway said "let's test one". So out came a brand new G1 from a box, which he plugged in using the mains adaptor, stuck in a CF card and we took some shots using both AF modes. He then transferred the images to a PC where we used a viewer to compare the blown-up images side by side on the screen. For the record, I couldn't see any difference between them, but he reckoned that the single AF one was a bit sharper. Anyway, if I can get this guy again, I have no doubts that I would soon have a working Ixus 300 in my hands. It does make me wonder, though, if some branches don't let people try them powered up, how are they going to sell them? People will just go to a dealer without such restrictions. It does seem a bit mean for Canon not to include a mains unit with a £500+ camera, though, and I bet they're not cheap.
Alan

My local Jessops is what they call a 'small' store so no doubt they
come low down on the distribution list but calling in for another
purpose this morning I asked out of interest about the Ixus 300.
"Just had two in" says the friendly manager. Out comes my trusty
G1 with mutterings of doing a few test shots on my card to compare
at home. Does everybody but me know that it can't be done (or
shouldn't)? Opening the box , even HE was surprised to have to
say that there is no mains unit included , only the mains external
charger block into which the battery goes. The local shop at least
are quite fussy and prefer (rightly) to sell NEW items so their
policy is not to open anything, charge batteries etc. Fair enough,
but whilst other dealers I'm sure may not be so fussy and you could
get to use one elsewhere, don't think that, if you go to some
Jessops at least. Silly of Canon isn't it - typical though - not
to include a mains unit - wonder how much they are as another
extra. Local place doesn't mind at all plugging into a mains unit

• that's how I came to see/try my G1 - but without that of course

what can they do.
It's been noted in another message but Jessops price on the 300 is
£528. Anybody know other UK in-stock dealers better ??

EJN

 

[EJN]

Alan -

I appreciate all you say and I did myself 'have a go' with the G1 before buying in local branch - but I'm talking here of the S300 .. it doesn't have a mains unit at all "in-box" to power up the camera and of course the battery is new and flat. As you say, stupid really, but what to make of it. If a camera is usable then you never know whether you're buying a 'flogged' one or not - if not available to 'work' then how do they expect to sell. Catch 22

EJN

My local Jessops is what they call a 'small' store so no doubt they
come low down on the distribution list but calling in for another
purpose this morning I asked out of interest about the Ixus 300.
"Just had two in" says the friendly manager. Out comes my trusty
G1 with mutterings of doing a few test shots on my card to compare
at home. Does everybody but me know that it can't be done (or
shouldn't)? Opening the box , even HE was surprised to have to
say that there is no mains unit included , only the mains external
charger block into which the battery goes. The local shop at least
are quite fussy and prefer (rightly) to sell NEW items so their
policy is not to open anything, charge batteries etc. Fair enough,
but whilst other dealers I'm sure may not be so fussy and you could
get to use one elsewhere, don't think that, if you go to some
Jessops at least. Silly of Canon isn't it - typical though - not
to include a mains unit - wonder how much they are as another
extra. Local place doesn't mind at all plugging into a mains unit

• that's how I came to see/try my G1 - but without that of course

what can they do.
It's been noted in another message but Jessops price on the 300 is
£528. Anybody know other UK in-stock dealers better ??

EJN

 

[EJN]

Zeon -

Thanks. I've been 'doing my homework' this evening and found the one you say. Also I think it was http://www.bestcameras.co.uk (or maybe ukdigital) that were quite similar. Better still though, I now find that the S-20 (with 3Meg+ AND M/drive capacity is about at a good price and little different as a small compact carry-around .. and QUEST do a bolt-on battery pack very convenient and at £25 - less than a battery

EJN

You can buy them at £441 at http://www.cameras-at-lowest-prices.co.uk/
Just bought one yesterday by phone. Number on their website. Next
day free delvery. Seems a good service.

 

[Alan38430]

Hi EJN,

By way of update, I popped into Jessops (Woverhampton) again today and was able to try a 300. Lucky to get the same helpful chap as before. No charged battery available it seemed, but he tried the one that came with it and this had enough charge in it for a useful go (apparently they're never fully flat). Hope using it like this didn't do any harm. Unfortunately, I had forgotten to take a CF card with me, but he said that if I phone to say when I'm calling in again, he'll have a fully charged battery ready too! Is this good service or what? Anyway, I was able to compare the size of the old Ixus and the 300, side by side. The 300 doesn't seem that much bigger to look at, but it does feel a bit bigger and heavier when you pick them up. The LCD was not as bright as the G1 that I tried under the same lighting a month ago, and did show a fair bit of noise, whereas the G1 had showed none (possibly the nearly flat battery was responsible for this). The 300 was nice to handle and I was impressed with the speed of the zoom: much smoother and faster than my G1. As with the old Ixus, you can turn off the LCD to extend battery life. With LCD on, I was told that maximum time between charges will probably match old Ixus, at about 25 minutes. With LCD off, I notice that some s100 (Ixus) owners say that it lasts all day. Menu system was easy and fast, as we would expect. Seems a very nice camera (can't say much more after a 10 minute look!) and others have reported on the good picture quality. If I do take up the offer to record some shots on my CF card, I'll let you know.
Regards,
Alan

I appreciate all you say and I did myself 'have a go' with the G1
before buying in local branch - but I'm talking here of the S300 ..
it doesn't have a mains unit at all "in-box" to power up the camera
and of course the battery is new and flat. As you say, stupid
really, but what to make of it. If a camera is usable then you
never know whether you're buying a 'flogged' one or not - if not
available to 'work' then how do they expect to sell. Catch 22

EJN

My local Jessops is what they call a 'small' store so no doubt they
come low down on the distribution list but calling in for another
purpose this morning I asked out of interest about the Ixus 300.
"Just had two in" says the friendly manager. Out comes my trusty
G1 with mutterings of doing a few test shots on my card to compare
at home. Does everybody but me know that it can't be done (or
shouldn't)? Opening the box , even HE was surprised to have to
say that there is no mains unit included , only the mains external
charger block into which the battery goes. The local shop at least
are quite fussy and prefer (rightly) to sell NEW items so their
policy is not to open anything, charge batteries etc. Fair enough,
but whilst other dealers I'm sure may not be so fussy and you could
get to use one elsewhere, don't think that, if you go to some
Jessops at least. Silly of Canon isn't it - typical though - not
to include a mains unit - wonder how much they are as another
extra. Local place doesn't mind at all plugging into a mains unit

• that's how I came to see/try my G1 - but without that of course

what can they do.
It's been noted in another message but Jessops price on the 300 is
£528. Anybody know other UK in-stock dealers better ??

EJN

 

[EJN]

Alan -

Thanks for the update. It sort of confirms all I thought myself but didn't get chance to try out. Rather glad now - guess what .. I had this niggling mind after looking in the local branch window at the rather neat looking S-20, champagne silver snazzy look , 3.3Meg of course so MUST be better than a 2.1 (effective 1.9) BUT .. takes M/drive as well. THIS time it did come with a combination charger/mains unit and the darling lass (sight for sore old eyes!) was as usual ever so helpful (they know me well enough there now) and we had a good 1/2 hour session using their computer every few minutes to look at the shots (my card). Their lighting could be better and I always find it pushes any camera on a short-lead test but it did work OK and although it isn't QUITE the smaller size of the 300 , the latter isnt all that much less (and remember it's 2Meg). So, I came away with a good price secondary camera that will take M/drive if I want, looks gorgeous, fits the pocket even better than my good old G1 and is a darn sight better than I suspect many give it credit for. Got home and had a look at the few shots in-shop and the exposure and depth of color is super.

Also, I'd just (this pushed me a bit more) seen this ad from the QUEST firm in Peterborough who do a bolt-on recharge battery for the S10/S20 - fits the S20 base exactly it appears, screwed into the pod bush, and gives double-length life .. all for £30 inc VAT&post. So I reckon I've got a happy mind and what I think is a better deal than the 300. Hope so anyway.

Eric

 

[Matej]

Hello Alan!

Thanks for describing S300. Be so nice and take that offer and get some S300 photos, so that we can decide weather to buy it or not!!!

Thanks again!

Matej

Alan -

Thanks for the update. It sort of confirms all I thought myself
but didn't get chance to try out. Rather glad now - guess what .. I
had this niggling mind after looking in the local branch window at
the rather neat looking S-20, champagne silver snazzy look , 3.3Meg
of course so MUST be better than a 2.1 (effective 1.9) BUT .. takes
M/drive as well. THIS time it did come with a combination
charger/mains unit and the darling lass (sight for sore old eyes!)
was as usual ever so helpful (they know me well enough there now)
and we had a good 1/2 hour session using their computer every few
minutes to look at the shots (my card). Their lighting could be
better and I always find it pushes any camera on a short-lead test
but it did work OK and although it isn't QUITE the smaller size of
the 300 , the latter isnt all that much less (and remember it's
2Meg). So, I came away with a good price secondary camera that
will take M/drive if I want, looks gorgeous, fits the pocket even
better than my good old G1 and is a darn sight better than I
suspect many give it credit for. Got home and had a look at the
few shots in-shop and the exposure and depth of color is super.
Also, I'd just (this pushed me a bit more) seen this ad from the
QUEST firm in Peterborough who do a bolt-on recharge battery for
the S10/S20 - fits the S20 base exactly it appears, screwed into
the pod bush, and gives double-length life .. all for £30 inc
VAT&post. So I reckon I've got a happy mind and what I think is a
better deal than the 300. Hope so anyway.

Eric

 

[Alan38430]

Hi Matej,

Okay, will do my best, but it will take a week until I can get back there. I'll take my G1 with me to allow a comparison.
Regards,
Alan

Hello Alan!

Thanks for describing S300. Be so nice and take that offer and get
some S300 photos, so that we can decide weather to buy it or not!!!

Thanks again!

Matej

 

[Alan38430]

Hi Eric,

Congrats on your new camera. With 3.3megapix and microdrive compatibility, it sounds like it will be the ideal backup for your G1. One question about the battery pack: does it offer double capacity on its own, so when fitted, you have 3 times the capacity (with the one in the camera)? If not, couldn't you get the same total capacity by just carrying a spare battery, thereby preserving the small size of the camera?
Regards,
Alan

Alan -

Thanks for the update. It sort of confirms all I thought myself
but didn't get chance to try out. Rather glad now - guess what .. I
had this niggling mind after looking in the local branch window at
the rather neat looking S-20, champagne silver snazzy look , 3.3Meg
of course so MUST be better than a 2.1 (effective 1.9) BUT .. takes
M/drive as well. THIS time it did come with a combination
charger/mains unit and the darling lass (sight for sore old eyes!)
was as usual ever so helpful (they know me well enough there now)
and we had a good 1/2 hour session using their computer every few
minutes to look at the shots (my card). Their lighting could be
better and I always find it pushes any camera on a short-lead test
but it did work OK and although it isn't QUITE the smaller size of
the 300 , the latter isnt all that much less (and remember it's
2Meg). So, I came away with a good price secondary camera that
will take M/drive if I want, looks gorgeous, fits the pocket even
better than my good old G1 and is a darn sight better than I
suspect many give it credit for. Got home and had a look at the
few shots in-shop and the exposure and depth of color is super.
Also, I'd just (this pushed me a bit more) seen this ad from the
QUEST firm in Peterborough who do a bolt-on recharge battery for
the S10/S20 - fits the S20 base exactly it appears, screwed into
the pod bush, and gives double-length life .. all for £30 inc
VAT&post. So I reckon I've got a happy mind and what I think is a
better deal than the 300. Hope so anyway.

Eric

 

[Justin Knight]

I finally put in my order for the IXUS 300 on friday. It should be arriving today or tomorrow at the latest. I'll give first impressions and try to take some sample pics for you when it arrives.

Justin.

Hello Alan!

Thanks for describing S300. Be so nice and take that offer and get
some S300 photos, so that we can decide weather to buy it or not!!!

Thanks again!

Matej

 

[EJN]

Alan -

Ooh, you are a one to dampen spirits, aren't you !!

I wondered really about the bolt-on and my initial thoughts were that it was extra - but then I began to think .. well . how does it power the camera unless it plugs in place of the original. So I guess it probably IS just two-times. But, if any consolation, even the few different non-Canon brand of batts I've seen are £29 or so (maybe with post added too) so the bolt-on is still a fair price although it WILL of course add a bit of size. However, the S-20 really is quite small generally and I THINK will stand the bit extra without losing comfort. Well, we'll see. As the S20 is on official Jessops 30-day trial I haven't dared open the shrink-wrap book etc so had to d/load a Manual last night - without too much success as there's little in it you can't figure out anyway. Visitor with a newly trimmed young Westie today. Just had to shoot some but guess what came out .. the good old G1. About 60 pics and every one Macro with a dog that doesn't know the meaning of 'stay' ... about 6 discarded !! Boy what a camera. Lovely sunny here today though so got a few odd shots about the garden with the S20 and it IS as they say, fine to work and very nice pics. When I do get some worthwhile ones I'll get them on Fototime ready for a pick-up sometime. Hope I'm not being over-optimistic but we'll find that out.

EJN

Alan -

Thanks for the update. It sort of confirms all I thought myself
but didn't get chance to try out. Rather glad now - guess what .. I
had this niggling mind after looking in the local branch window at
the rather neat looking S-20, champagne silver snazzy look , 3.3Meg
of course so MUST be better than a 2.1 (effective 1.9) BUT .. takes
M/drive as well. THIS time it did come with a combination
charger/mains unit and the darling lass (sight for sore old eyes!)
was as usual ever so helpful (they know me well enough there now)
and we had a good 1/2 hour session using their computer every few
minutes to look at the shots (my card). Their lighting could be
better and I always find it pushes any camera on a short-lead test
but it did work OK and although it isn't QUITE the smaller size of
the 300 , the latter isnt all that much less (and remember it's
2Meg). So, I came away with a good price secondary camera that
will take M/drive if I want, looks gorgeous, fits the pocket even
better than my good old G1 and is a darn sight better than I
suspect many give it credit for. Got home and had a look at the
few shots in-shop and the exposure and depth of color is super.
Also, I'd just (this pushed me a bit more) seen this ad from the
QUEST firm in Peterborough who do a bolt-on recharge battery for
the S10/S20 - fits the S20 base exactly it appears, screwed into
the pod bush, and gives double-length life .. all for £30 inc
VAT&post. So I reckon I've got a happy mind and what I think is a
better deal than the 300. Hope so anyway.

Eric

 

[Andy E]

I ordered an Ixus 300 from http://www.bestcameras.co.uk - £449 with free next day delivery. Not a bad price I thought and the delivery service was good.
Had the camera for a week or so now and it's just great.
Cheers...Andy E

My local Jessops is what they call a 'small' store so no doubt they
come low down on the distribution list but calling in for another
purpose this morning I asked out of interest about the Ixus 300.
"Just had two in" says the friendly manager. Out comes my trusty
G1 with mutterings of doing a few test shots on my card to compare
at home. Does everybody but me know that it can't be done (or
shouldn't)? Opening the box , even HE was surprised to have to
say that there is no mains unit included , only the mains external
charger block into which the battery goes. The local shop at least
are quite fussy and prefer (rightly) to sell NEW items so their
policy is not to open anything, charge batteries etc. Fair enough,
but whilst other dealers I'm sure may not be so fussy and you could
get to use one elsewhere, don't think that, if you go to some
Jessops at least. Silly of Canon isn't it - typical though - not
to include a mains unit - wonder how much they are as another
extra. Local place doesn't mind at all plugging into a mains unit

• that's how I came to see/try my G1 - but without that of course

what can they do.
It's been noted in another message but Jessops price on the 300 is
£528. Anybody know other UK in-stock dealers better ??

EJN

 

[Alan38430]

Hi again Eric,

Actually, if the battery pack replaces the one in the camera (hadn't thought of that, but you must be right or it couldn't work otherwise), then you are in effect getting a double capacity battery for the price of a spare battery. This means that the original battery can be a spare, giving you the 3 times capacity I wondered about. Seems pretty good to me. Sorry, if I'd thought of that myself I wouldn't have raised any doubts.

I can understand what you mean about photographing dogs. I have three and none of them keep still for a minute. Even when they are naturally in a brilliant pose, the sight of the camera brings them charging over to me. The real challenge, though, is my black spaniel cross. It seems incredibly difficult to capture a good shot of a black dog, besides the fact that he's the most active one of the lot.
Looking forward to seeing your s20 pics.
Regards,
Alan

Ooh, you are a one to dampen spirits, aren't you !!
I wondered really about the bolt-on and my initial thoughts were
that it was extra - but then I began to think .. well . how does it
power the camera unless it plugs in place of the original. So I
guess it probably IS just two-times. But, if any consolation, even
the few different non-Canon brand of batts I've seen are £29 or so
(maybe with post added too) so the bolt-on is still a fair price
although it WILL of course add a bit of size. However, the S-20
really is quite small generally and I THINK will stand the bit
extra without losing comfort. Well, we'll see. As the S20 is on
official Jessops 30-day trial I haven't dared open the shrink-wrap
book etc so had to d/load a Manual last night - without too much
success as there's little in it you can't figure out anyway.
Visitor with a newly trimmed young Westie today. Just had to shoot
some but guess what came out .. the good old G1. About 60 pics and
every one Macro with a dog that doesn't know the meaning of 'stay'
... about 6 discarded !! Boy what a camera. Lovely sunny here
today though so got a few odd shots about the garden with the S20
and it IS as they say, fine to work and very nice pics. When I do
get some worthwhile ones I'll get them on Fototime ready for a
pick-up sometime. Hope I'm not being over-optimistic but we'll
find that out.

EJN

Alan -

Thanks for the update. It sort of confirms all I thought myself
but didn't get chance to try out. Rather glad now - guess what .. I
had this niggling mind after looking in the local branch window at
the rather neat looking S-20, champagne silver snazzy look , 3.3Meg
of course so MUST be better than a 2.1 (effective 1.9) BUT .. takes
M/drive as well. THIS time it did come with a combination
charger/mains unit and the darling lass (sight for sore old eyes!)
was as usual ever so helpful (they know me well enough there now)
and we had a good 1/2 hour session using their computer every few
minutes to look at the shots (my card). Their lighting could be
better and I always find it pushes any camera on a short-lead test
but it did work OK and although it isn't QUITE the smaller size of
the 300 , the latter isnt all that much less (and remember it's
2Meg). So, I came away with a good price secondary camera that
will take M/drive if I want, looks gorgeous, fits the pocket even
better than my good old G1 and is a darn sight better than I
suspect many give it credit for. Got home and had a look at the
few shots in-shop and the exposure and depth of color is super.
Also, I'd just (this pushed me a bit more) seen this ad from the
QUEST firm in Peterborough who do a bolt-on recharge battery for
the S10/S20 - fits the S20 base exactly it appears, screwed into
the pod bush, and gives double-length life .. all for £30 inc
VAT&post. So I reckon I've got a happy mind and what I think is a
better deal than the 300. Hope so anyway.

Eric