Get in Touch with Your Camera's Sensitive Side - The New IXUS

A night out with friends, your child's graduation, an amazing sunset, blowing out birthday candles - some of the most memorable moments in our lives happen practically in the dark - and unfortunately, it can be hard to get our cameras to cooperate. Taking pictures in low light situations with flash can often lead to washed out faces, red eyes and too dark backgrounds. Or if you try snapping photos without flash, you're left with shaky and blurry images that are virtually indiscernible.

Fortunately, Canon's created a camera that understands your needs, with a revolutionary high sensitivity system so you can take brilliant photos in low light situations - it's a camera with a real sensitive side.

Introducing the Canon IXUS 300 HS

The new IXUS 300 HS offers the latest technology in powerhouse digital cameras. It has a number of unique aperture and shutter controls to allow greater flexibility and control over your images.

Meanwhile, its high sensitivity combined with a bright f/2.0 lens lets in more light so you can take photos without flash even in dim lighting.

Other Features:

HD Video Capture Mode - so you can make the most of your HDTV. The camera also allows you to edit the colour settings for some unique video effects.

Advanced TruCapture Technology - combines Intelligent Auto for easy picture capture with an Image Stabiliser and Canon's exclusive DiG!C 4 Image Processor for brilliant true-to-life colours.

3.8x optical zoom with optical image stabilisation - to get up close to the action.

Super Slow Motion - capture HD movie in slow motion to heighten the drama and effect of the moment.

Fun scene modes - Miniature and Fish Eye modes let you can have fun and add some creative flair to your images

Large LCD screen - measuring 28mm, the wide angle wide screen offers crystal clear LCD picture so you can review your images and make sure you've got that keeper shot

10-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor

Slim appealing design - the IXUS 300 HS has beautifully-crafted curves, texture and a modern look that appeals to a design-conscious user.

Digital Camera Sensitivity: ISO

Traditionally, ISO (which stands for the International Organization for Standardization) was the indication of the film's sensitivity to light. Today, ISO measures the sensitivity of the digital camera's image sensor. Pictures taken at lower ISO require good lighting but will produce images with the least amount of "noise" (which occurs when the image sensor captures a colour pixel incorrectly due to poor lighting conditions). Generally, using higher ISO settings also means faster shutter speeds.

With a high sensitivity image sensor, the IXUS 300 HS reduces the amount of noise at all ISO speeds and is one of the most advanced machines in the Canon IXUS range.

Choosing the right ISO settings

AUTO ISO - most digital cameras have the ability to automatically pick the best sensitivity for the present light conditions. Always a dependable option if you're unsure.

ISO 80 - great quality pictures but requires bright outdoor lighting; great for landscapes and outdoor portraits.

ISO 100 - requires bright lighting conditions, okay for a slightly overcast setting.

ISO 200 - good in cloudy conditions.

ISO 400 - the minimum for taking indoor photographs.

ISO 800 and up - for dim lighting conditions, these settings usually result in a considerable amount of noise in your images.