Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

Canon PowerShot Elph 350 HS stays slim while packing 20 megapixels

The new high-resolution ultracompact features a 12x zoom lens and features to make snapshots and video clips a breeze.

Joshua Goldman Managing Editor / Advice

Managing Editor Josh Goldman is a laptop expert and has been writing about and reviewing them since built-in Wi-Fi was an optional feature. He also covers almost anything connected to a PC, including keyboards, mice, USB-C docks and PC gaming accessories. In addition, he writes about cameras, including action cams and drones. And while he doesn't consider himself a gamer, he spends entirely too much time playing them.

Expertise Laptops, desktops and computer and PC gaming accessories including keyboards, mice and controllers, cameras, action cameras and drones Credentials

More than two decades experience writing about PCs and accessories, and 15 years writing about cameras of all kinds.

See full bio

Joshua Goldman

Feb. 5, 2015 8:00 p.m. PT

2 min read

The Canon PowerShot Elph 350 HS (called the Ixus 275 in the UK and Australia) is the new top ultracompact in the company's lineup, replacing the 340 HS.

Shop for Canon PowerShot ELPH 350 HS (Black)

See all prices

$360 at Amazon

The HS in the name signifies the use of a high-sensitivity backside-illuminated CMOS sensor, in this case a 20-megapixel one. If that seems like overkill for a pocket camera, well, you're right. But higher resolutions still sell cameras, as do zoom lenses.

Out in front is a 12x f3.6-7.0 25-300mm lens, which is an impressive range given the camera's dimensions of 3.9 inches wide by 2.3 inches high by 0.9-inch deep (99.7 by 57.6 by 22.4mm). Canon's optical image stabilization is part of the package, too, so blur-free shooting handheld at 300mm while framing your subject on its 3-inch 460K-dot-resolution LCD is a possibility.

Built-in Wi-Fi allows for wireless picture and movie clip transfers directly to iOS or Android devices and computers as well as direct printing on Wi-Fi-enabled Canon printers. Also, with Canon's Connect app you can remotely control the camera with your smartphone or tablet. The 350 HS has active NFC built in, too, so you can tap it to your Android device for quick pairing.

Shooting options are strictly automatic here, so don't expect extensive manual controls. You will get things to automatically improve low-light shots, high-speed burst shooting at up to 10.5 frames per second and full HD movie capture.

The Canon PowerShot Elph 350 HS camera is scheduled to be available in April in black and silver for an estimated retail price of $209.99. Pricing for the UK and Australia weren't announced, but the price converts to £140 and AU$270.