| Like the EOS 500N, the new EOS 300
model is available only in chrome. The new EOS is also available as a kit form or as
a body-only package, with a choice of a Quartz Date (EOS 300 QD) option or without.
The kit form come with the EF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 II zoom lens. Of course, interested buyers may be able to find the EOS 300 being offered by some authorised dealers in an attractive package with either the EF 28-80mm or EF 35-80mm zoom lens. In most aspects, the EOS 300 looks a bit like the EOS 500N at a glance especially the LCD panel, but the similarity ends when a closer inspection of the former reveals more chrome plating than the latter.
The new EOS 300 also feature the latest incarnation of Canon's Evaluative metering system -- you will not find a 6-zone version as used in the EOS 500N and EOS 88 cameras or the 16-zone as found on the EOS 5, EOS-1N/EOS-1N RS models. Neither do you have the 21-zone version as found on the new EOS-3 camera since the EOS 300 uses a newly-developed 35-zone (that's right) Evaluative metering system that really boggles the mind. Why a 35-zone system for an entry-level camera? Research and tests conducted by Canon have shown that the beginners, rather than the advanced amateurs or professionals who were affected by inconsistent exposures caused by user errors due to their limited (or lack of) knowledge in metering. Advanced amateurs and professional photographers will know how to apply exposure compensations when the situation warrants it but most beginners would simply aimed their cameras and shoot, only to be disappointed with the results later. In order to curb and resolve this problem, Canon has decided to feature the new 35-zone Evaluative metering system on the EOS 300 first, rather than the more expensive EOS models. But how effective is the new version in solving complex exposure problems? Like most shooters, I was sceptical at first. But after seeing the results of the photos where I simply aimed the EOS 300 at anything having a brighter background that is very likely to influence the camera's metering system into setting the incorrect values, I was amazed. None of the photos shot in such situations were ruined. They are perfect! Subjects with exceptionally strong backlighting did not affect the EOS 300's 35-zone Evaluative metering system in providing correct exposures.
The above three photos are examples of how the EOS 300 handles backlighted subjects effectively without the need to apply exposure compensations or take a different light reading from a more neutral position. << Back to Main . 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . |
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