Canon PowerShot A3000 IS
At $149.99, it entered the market as a budget digicam with a stabilizer that punched above its weight.
Overview
The Canon PowerShot A3000 IS is a compact digital camera for straightforward point-and-shoot photography. It has a 10.0-megapixel CCD sensor and a 4x optical zoom lens. It was sold as an affordable option for people who cared about cost but still wanted core features, most notably optical image stabilization, which was rare at this price when the camera launched. It has no HD video output, but it does record movies, which even entry-level models of its era were expected to do.
The camera is small and light. It measures approximately 97.2 x 58.2 x 28.1 mm and weighs around 125 grams with battery and memory card, so it slips into a pocket or bag easily. The 2.7-inch TFT LCD is rated at approximately 230,000 dots. It works fine for framing shots and reviewing images, though it lacks the resolution and brightness of higher-end contemporaries. The lens has a 35mm-equivalent focal range of 28 - 112mm (some sources cite 35 - 140mm), covering wide-angle to moderate telephoto. The aperture is f/2.7 at the wide end and f/5.6 fully zoomed. Shutter speeds run from 1 to 1/1600 second. ISO settings include AUTO plus selectable steps from 80 to 1600, and the extended 1600 option likely brings noticeable noise.
The optical image stabilizer was the standout feature for the price. It helped reduce blur from camera shake, especially in low light or at full zoom. The Intelligent Auto system uses scene detection to adjust settings automatically, so the user has little to do. Storage is handled via SD, SDHC, SDXC, MultiMediaCard, MMCplus, and HC MMCplus formats, which covers most contemporary memory cards.
The A3000 IS has a reputation for reliability problems, particularly a recurring “Lens Error” that keeps the lens from extending or retracting properly. Reports from multiple sources, including JustAnswer, TikTok, and Facebook, confirm this as a common failure mode. The camera often shows a “busy” message or a black screen as well. DIY repair guides circulate online with step-by-step troubleshooting for this issue, which suggests mechanical or electrical faults in the lens assembly. It is not universal, but the frequency of these reports has become a defining part of the camera’s reputation among those who still use or collect it.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Canon |
| Product type | Camera |
| Image Sensor | 1/2.3-inch CCD |
| Effective Pixels | Approx. 10.0 megapixels |
| Lens | 4x zoom, f=5.0-20.0mm (35mm film equivalent: 28-112mm) |
| Aperture | f/2.7 (W) – f/5.6 (T) |
| Optical Image Stabilizer | Yes |
| Shutter Speed | 1 – 1/1600 sec. |
| ISO Speed | AUTO, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 |
| LCD Monitor | 2.7-inch TFT, approx. 230,000 dots |
| Storage Media | SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card, MultiMediaCard, MMCplus Card, HC MMCplus Card |
| Battery | NB-8L |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | Approx. 97.2 x 58.2 x 28.1 mm |
| Weight | Approx. 125 g (including battery and memory card) |
| Movie Capability | Yes |
| HD Video Out | No |
| Auto Mode | Intelligent Auto system which employs scene detection |
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