Description

The Canon FS300 Flash Memory camcorder is among the most affordable ways to get stunning video in a light, compact, and very user-friendly package. With the FS300's Canon-exclusive features such as Canon 41x Advanced Zoom, DIGIC DV II Image Processor, 2.7" widescreen LCD, Quick Charge, and Canon's new Dynamic IS, you've got a flash-memory camcorder that's both hard to beat and unmistakably Canon

Customer Reviews

 canon FS300 flash memory camcorder - Aug 06, 2010

Appears to be a good camcorder. I haven't used it yet though because it doesn't come with a memory card.

 fs300 - just right! - Aug 04, 2010

First let me comment on the Amazon services. We first started out ordering a Kodak zi8, a really neat shirt pocket camcorder. Our first attempt to load it into our computer was a bust. Amazon said "send it back, we'll send a new one".....same results trying to load using the Kodak ARCSOFT MEDIAIMPRESSIONS software. Very poor support advice from Kodak, and non-existent from ARCSOFT. So, not to give up we did a little research and came up with the FS-300 Canon. It has been fun, and no problem with the software....thanks Canon, we're not the most savvy computer users, (age 74 dinosaurs). Would now like to make a few comments about our FS-300 that I hope will be useful to others. First, the instruction book and computer info is very abbreviated, needs to be more info for varying situations. Second, I find the camera easy to start and stop, but getting to the features is a little complicated, so its not as simple as some people might indicate, especially for a novice. Third, let me suggest a monopod for really steady recording, the camera is so small that this great little walking stick isn't bothered at all by the FS-300 perching atop it. Again, let me compliment Amazon for there Amazing customer service.....great AMERICAN company. Very respectfully, Ralph Porter, CPO, USN,Ret.

 Great For Home Movies - Aug 01, 2010

I got this camcorder to replace an outdated compact VHS comcorder I've had for about 7 years. I needed this to record home movies, talent shows, vacations, etc. I was worried about image stabilizing and low light situations. I look at customer web reviews and always look into Consumer Reports reviews any time I buy something I know nothing about. I love it. Technology sure has come a long way. I think the picture is great and the low light situations are better than with a VHS camcorder, so I'm happy. The image stabilizing is a must for me because I am horrible at shaking when I'm recording (really... people would joke about motion sickness while watching old videos I made with the camcorder not on a tripod), and it really helps on this camcorder. I'm very happy with the purchase. One thing you should know... I asked a salesman about taking a photo with it, and he said, "If you want a photo, use a camera." So I never have used it to take a picture.

 Good camera for a good price - Jul 19, 2010

I have not had problems with this camera. I have made very good movies and some pictures ok. The sw is not sophisticated, but sufficient for my needs. It's a good product to use on weekends (register their children on the beach, shooting a sport using the powerfull zoom), without major pretensions. I recommend the purchase. Good buy with a good price.

 Canon FS300 Flash Memory Camcorder (Blue) - 2010 MODEL - Jul 07, 2010

It is small and quite fit for me to use in classroom. the quality is good. I like it.

 excellent quality for a modest price. - Jun 20, 2010

Compact, easy to record, playback and download onto MAC OS X. I would and have recommended the flash camcorder to friends who are in the market. Can't beat the price on Amazon.

 Falls frustratingly short for a Canon product - Jun 02, 2010

Canon seems to have taken a step down from the comparatively-excellent FS200 with a range of features that fall short in so many areas. As others have mentioned, the software included is practically useless, but more importantly the video quality just isn't there. There are major compression artifacts that appear whenever there's significant movement or any zooming used, it handles low night very poorly, resulting in grainy video, and the single-shot feature produces low quality shots comparable with those you would see on a cell phone.

Inexplicably, Canon has removed the audio in jack that came on the FS200, meaning there's no way to use an external microphone to capture any sound. Consequently, there's camera noise in every video, which is surprisingly loud considering it has so few moving parts. Combined with the fact that it comes with no memory (contrary to indications in the manufacturer's own product description), the FS300 feels more like a budget version of the 200 rather than an upgrade. As for documentation, I agree with other reviewers - I wouldn't normally notice a poor quality manual in electronics but I needed it to find the power-in jack, which is superbly camouflaged on the unit.

Overall, it's small and easy to carry around but falls short of the quality I've come to expect from Canon products. I can't use this for pro-sumer video capture as I had planned to, and apart from the decent zoom function there's not much to separate from a Flip at half the price. Let's hope the FS400 fixes the plethora of faults, though I'll be waiting to the see the reviews before parting with my cash so hastily!

 Canon FS300 Bad camera bad tech support - May 20, 2010

I purchased a Canon FS300 april 9,2010. For approx two weeks I was calling tech support in VA for help with this camcorder and finally On April 26, I finally spoke to a tech that knew that this camcorder was defective. All that time I could have returned it within 15 days to Best Buy online, but the agents don't know what they are doing. It took one day to get the UPS label, but two days to get to UPS. I was without this camcorder for almost 3 weeks, all the time calling and explaining I need this camcorder for legal purposes as I have digital recordings for court and a lawyer. After getting the camcorder back it had the same click click click sound like a reel to reel movie camera. Way past dealing with supervisors, and not a Customer Relations person, Jennifer stated that A "senior tech" will follow up on the following Tuesday (after 3 weeks of it not being in my hands) since Mondays were too busy. The "senior tech" had me go through settings to "tweak" the camera and the problem was still there. The repair center did NOT fix this camera. The senior tech stated he was sending an email to "Customer Relations" as it was indeed defective. He told me that he would email Jennifer. Today 5-20-10 I called Jennifer, she was not in the office until next week, so I spoke to a Michelle, who was cold and rude. She said she was a senior agent. I asked to speak to a supervisor above her, she told me that none were available. I told her that I would keep calling until I could speak to a supervisor. I finally got an agent to let me speak to "her" supervisor, and this supervisor stated they would send me another camera. I explained that "every supervisor" told me that Canon does not send "new" cameras, only refurbished ones. She told me they had one, right! She said the Senior tech does not have the seniority over the techs at the repair center. The Senior tech told me that is why he follows up?????? I told her I have to have this camera when I see the attorney on Tuesday, she refused to send me the new camcorder until she saw the tracking for the old one back. I told her that I have to have it for the lawyer. I told her I don't want two of them I will take this old one on the same day I receive the new one, after verifying it doesn't have the same problem, that she stated they all have. She refused to work with me. I recommend NO ONE deal with canon, they don't know what they are doing. I'm stuck with a defective camcorder.

 Good little camcorder - May 17, 2010

As stated by others the software included with the camcorder is terrible. It has no editing ability. I ended purchasing a third party software for $50, so in the end, with the memory card this is more like a $400 camcorder. Video is as good as it should be for an SD camera, sound is okay. Overall a good camera.

Pros: Small, light, quickly charges, long battery life, decent enough video

Cons: Poor video in low light, okay sound, software

 I Love Millie (my camcorder's name) - May 16, 2010

This is my first camcorder and I love it. It is simple to operate and nothing about it is too complicated. My six year old granddaughter can operate it and has taken pictures and movies with it already. I will be recommending this product to my family and friends. MILLIE IS AWESOME!!

 Frustrating Software - May 12, 2010

Camera takes decent videos, it's the software that came with it that made this item a nightmare. First of all of the PDF user manual had many pages that would not display, so I had to go on the web and download it. Then the Pixela video editing software was very difficult and frustrating to figure out and use. Editing and uploading videos was awful. If you like plenty of frustration buy this camera.

 A huge disapointment :-( - May 11, 2010

The camera lacks. The video quality is grainy grainy grainy. There is electronic feedback heard when you zoom in and out. Albeit its very quiet but its still there when you play back the video. The zoom capability is amazing but that being said, whats the point if the image sucks? It looks so nice on the lcd screen. I am so disappointed. I was so excited about getting this camera after I read the manufactures description. I thought about it every day for a week while I was waiting for it to arrive. This camera does not come with a memory card and the description doenst tell you it needs one. It said "up to 20 hours of record time" I get the camera and have ZERO hours of record time. It takes a class 10 sdhc memory chip. I could not find that bit of information anywhere in the manual. I found out the hard way when I bought a class 6 and it would not record so I had to take it back.



This camera is capable if taking pictures also however the pictures are absolute crap. I have a digital photographic camera that I paid $45 for it it takes waaaaaay better pictures then this. When I pay $300 for a camera I expect better then this. The resolution is so small that its only a 6 inch square on my screen in full size playback. My digital photo camera also has a capability of video but with out sound and its video quality is better then this at a higher resolution! Dont waste your money on this camera, it was a huge disappointment. If the image quality wanst so poor, this would be an awesome camera. I expect the pictures to be at least as good as the video quality. Is that too much to ask? Actually they should be better because it takes less resources to make a still image!

It seems the industry is still hosing people and offering mediocre junk at inflated prices.

At this price I would expect a half way decent product for crying out loud. This camera is being returned asap.

 Excellent zoom, so-so image quality, but easy to use - May 03, 2010

This is a fairly inexpensive, basic, camcorder. Probably the best selling point versus its competitors is the excellent wide ranging zoom lens on this camera. The LCD screen is also good sized and seemed bright and clear. You'll definitely want a 16GB or (better still) 32GB SDHC card to get full use from the camcorder. I found the image quality to be only so-so, though certainly in line with other inexpensive camcorders (and far better than a Sony "bloggie" that I had the misfortune of trying a few months ago). It's a small camera (would fit in a pocket), easy to handle (controls right by the fingers), and those controls are clear and straightforward. You'll want to get your hands on the actual camera before buying though, some folks complain that their hands are too big around the unit. Check that out yourself.

 Great little camera you will use - Apr 25, 2010

This camera is small enough to easily fit into your jacket pocket. The automatic lens cover means not having to worry about the lens, nor any extra pieces to carry around and keep track of. The long battery time, large capacity of a SD card and small size adds up to a very convenient camera to keep with you translating into a greater likelihood of actually having the camera with you more often to catch those interesting moments of our lives. This is a very easy camera to use while shooting video.

There is a little more labor involved to edit video and transfer footage. Although it can be done without too much difficulty. And I am reluctant to be critical of that aspect since the technology has advanced so much in the last decade. I remember a time when videotaping our personal lives was much more limited by the technology.

The picture and sound quality are good. The price is right. I recommend this camera for the convenience and price. Unless of course the best picture and sound available is what you want, then more expensive cameras are available worthy of a five star review. For most purposes, this camera can't be beat for its convenience and therefore the greater chance of actually having it on hand when needed.

 FS300 - Apr 07, 2010

My review deals mostly with setup and process to get to export the video. Overall quality and picture quality are above average. What I don't like is anything that requires me to use added software. This camera will only work in the video mode using the Windodws Media Player unless you install all their software which also plays in the Windows Media Player. However, unless you use their software you have no way to save the video to email or export a file. Not only do you need the USB cable but also the power carger for the PC to recognize the camera. Although the process is simple, just more junk to carry around. Haven't tried going direct thru the SD card yet so that's a possibility. Bottom line the camera is good or better than most, the process to use it pretty much sucks in my book.