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Canon PowerShot ELPH 310 HS: 12.1MP, 8x Zoom, 1080p HD (Pink) — main product image
Canon PowerShot ELPH 310 HS: 12.1MP, 8x Zoom, 1080p HD (Pink)
Canon PowerShot ELPH 310 HS: 12.1MP, 8x Zoom, 1080p HD (Pink)
Canon PowerShot ELPH 310 HS: 12.1MP, 8x Zoom, 1080p HD (Pink)
Canon PowerShot ELPH 310 HS: 12.1MP, 8x Zoom, 1080p HD (Pink)
Canon PowerShot ELPH 310 HS: 12.1MP, 8x Zoom, 1080p HD (Pink)
Canon PowerShot ELPH 310 HS: 12.1MP, 8x Zoom, 1080p HD (Pink)
Canon

Canon PowerShot ELPH 310 HS: 12.1MP, 8x Zoom, 1080p HD (Pink)

★★★★★4.0 (298 reviews)
1080p1MP

Pocket-sized full HD video and 8x optical zoom in an ultra-slim body that fits the camera you actually have with you on every shoot.

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Overview

The Canon PowerShot ELPH 310 HS is a 12.1MP CMOS point-and-shoot built around an ultra-slim chassis and a 28mm wide-angle, 8x optical zoom lens — a combination that covers a genuinely useful focal range from wide group shots to portrait-distance telephoto without accessories. The DIGIC 4 image processor handles Smart AUTO scene analysis across 32 predefined modes, selecting exposure, white balance, and focus strategy automatically. Full HD 1080p video with stereo audio rounds out the capture capability. Optical Image Stabilization is specifically valuable at the telephoto end, where even minor hand movement produces visible blur without compensation. The 3.0" LCD is generously sized for the body's footprint, making framing and image review comfortable without squinting at a cramped screen.

The ELPH 310 HS targets casual photographers, travelers, and social documentarians who want a slim, pocketable camera that does the technical work automatically and consistently delivers ready-to-share JPEGs. The 28mm wide-angle genuinely expands compositional flexibility compared to the 35mm starts common in this camera class — it matters most when you're indoors, in tight spaces, or photographing groups. The fully automatic operation is a strength for its audience and a firm limitation for photographers who want exposure control. There are no manual modes, no RAW capture, and no lens interchangeability — this is a deliberate design choice for an always-in-pocket camera that removes technical friction entirely. Its light sensor size means it rewards good lighting and punishes dark scenes; pairing it with available light delivers the best return from this camera's genuine strengths.

Key Features

12.1 Megapixel Cmos

1080P High-Definition Video

8X Optical Zoom

3" Lcd

Digic 4 Image Processor

Ultra-Slim Camera with 28mm Wide-Angle Lens, 8x Optical Zoom, and Optical Image Stabilizer

12.1 Megapixel CMOS Image Sensor and DIGIC 4 Image Processor

Full HD Video Recording at 1080p in Stereo Sound

Large 3.0-Inch Wide LCD Viewing Screen

Smart AUTO Funciton Based on 32 Predefined Shooting Situations

Specifications

Brand
Canon
Model Name
PowerShot ELPH 310 HS
Megapixels
12.1 MP
Zoom
8x Optical Zoom
Video Recording
1080p Full HD
Display Size
3" LCD
Image Sensor
CMOS
Image Processor
DIGIC 4
Lens Type
28mm Wide-Angle
Features
Optical Image Stabilizer, Smart AUTO Function
Color
Pink

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • 28mm wide-angle starting focal length enables full group, architecture, and landscape framing that 35mm-start competitors cannot match in a pocketable body
  • 12.1MP CMOS sensor with DIGIC 4 processing delivers clean, well-metered JPEGs across a wide range of Smart AUTO-selected scenes
  • 8x optical zoom range covers wide environmental shots through short telephoto without a lens change or accessory
  • Full 1080p stereo HD video recording adds genuine video capability that earlier point-and-shoots in this form factor lacked
  • Optical Image Stabilizer specifically compensates for hand-shake at telephoto focal lengths where blur is most visible

👎 Cons

  • No manual exposure modes — Smart AUTO's 32-scene selection cannot be overridden, removing all creative exposure control from the shooter
  • JPEG-only capture means all tone and color decisions are locked in-camera with no RAW file for post-processing recovery
  • High-speed burst and low-light performance above ISO 800 show noise characteristic of smaller CMOS sensors — grain is visible at ISO 1600 and 3200
  • Super Slow Motion mode requires a significant resolution reduction — full 1080p resolution is not maintained at slow-motion frame rates
  • The fixed lens cannot be changed or supplemented — specialty shots requiring wider or longer reach beyond 28-224mm equivalent require a different camera body

Frequently Asked Questions

The 24mm-equivalent wide-angle starting point — technically 28mm on this camera — is one of the ELPH 310 HS's meaningful advantages over standard 35mm-start point-and-shoots. At 28mm, you can frame full group shots, architecture, and landscapes without stepping back. The 8x optical zoom extends to approximately 224mm equivalent, covering typical portrait and reach scenarios from a single lens.
Smart AUTO on the ELPH 310 HS analyzes the scene and selects from 32 predefined shooting modes for both stills and video — it handles the exposure, white balance, and focus decisions automatically. It cannot be overridden for manual control; the ELPH 310 HS is a fully automatic camera with no manual exposure modes. Photographers requiring aperture or shutter priority should consider a more advanced body.
The optical image stabilizer compensates for camera shake at telephoto focal lengths where motion blur is most pronounced. At the 224mm equivalent telephoto end, OIS makes a visible difference for stationary subjects in adequate light — it does not freeze fast-moving subjects, which requires a sufficiently fast shutter speed. In low light at telephoto reach, the camera's auto-ISO selection will increase sensitivity at the cost of noise.
The ELPH 310 HS records full 1080p HD video with stereo audio, and also offers a Super Slow Motion mode at reduced resolution. Video is recorded to a compatible SD/SDHC/SDXC card. The camera does not record to a proprietary format — standard SD cards are used with no capacity restriction beyond the card's own limits.
The ELPH 310 HS is JPEG-only — there is no RAW capture option. All images are processed in-camera through the DIGIC 4 image processor before being written to the card. Photographers who require RAW files for post-processing flexibility will need a camera with a manual mode and RAW output; the ELPH 310 HS is designed for automatic, ready-to-share JPEG output.

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