Canon Powershot S3 IS Digital Camera [6MP 12 X Optical] offers you high resolution, an extra-long zoom, advanced yet easy-to-use movie functions plus great new shooting options. Also, with Image Stabilizer technology, images and movies taken with the S3 IS are sharp and smooth, even when the camera gets jostled. It’s everything you need to capture the fun, excitement and beauty of your active life – wherever it takes you!
Successor to the popular PowerShot S2 IS, the latest addition to the PowerShot S-series incorporates a 6.0-megapixel CCD sensor, Canon’s renowned optical Image Stabilizer technology, and video functionality rivalling that of dedicated digital video camcorders. Sporting a striking new finish in gunmetal grey, the compact PowerShot S3 IS answers the demands of advanced photographers with several improvements over its predecessor, including an increased sensitivity range of ISO 80 to ISO 800, a larger 2.0-inch vari-angle LCD screen, widescreen (16:9) recording, new movie features, and an additional Sports mode.
Helpful consumer’s review
This is a fantastic camera and the 12x zoom is phenomenal. I looked at a number of superzoom cameras including the Panasonic FZ7 and decided that this had the best range of features in its class. I wanted a camera that I could grow with, so the manual features do not dissapoint. The camera also functions well as a simple point and shoot when required with an ultrafast startup time.
The fact that it takes standard AA batteries is also a plus point. Last weekend the batteries ran out on me while in the Lakes, so I just popped into the nearest shop to buy some cheap alkalines.
Some reviews have criticised the screen for being too small. It may be smaller but the flip out screen is a boon which no other manufacturer seems to offer. It is great for ground work or above peoples heads.
Finally, the movie mode produces excellent results but there is a catch which in my view is the only negative point for the camera. At full resolution (640×480 30fps) it chews through 1Gb of card space in about 8-9 mins !!! 1gb (or an hour) is also the maximum length of a single clip of video, so some storage headaches here. Canon do not use MPEG4 so hence the large file size, however the results are excellent and a big plus is the abilty to use the optical zoom for video which is silent in use.
All in all a superb camera which I would definately recommend, a good compromise between a compact and an SLR.
