Canon's 2011 slim budget compact — 16MP CCD, 5x 28-140mm IS zoom, 720p video, 3.0in LCD.
The PowerShot A3300 IS was a slim budget compact released by Canon in 2011 at the top of that year's A3xxx line, sitting above the A3200 IS. The A3xxx series had moved the A-series away from AA cells to lithium-ion power in a thinner body, aimed squarely at simple everyday snapshooting.
It carried a 16.0-megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD, the highest resolution in the line at the time, behind a stabilised 5x zoom covering 28-140mm equivalent at f/2.8-5.9. A DIGIC 4 processor drove 720p HD video and Canon's Advanced Smart Auto scene selection, with a 3.0-inch 230,400-dot LCD, SD/SDHC/SDXC storage and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
It suits buyers wanting a cheap, pocketable CCD compact with a usefully wide 28mm end and image stabilisation for indoor and travel snaps. There are no manual exposure modes and no viewfinder, and the densely packed small sensor is at its best in good light.
As a 2011 model it is a low-risk used buy: SD cards are current and compatible third-party batteries and chargers remain cheap and easy to find, though confirm a charger is included as many sold new relying on it. Test the stabilised zoom through its range for motor noise, check the LCD for scratches and look for stuck pixels in test shots.