Review based on a production Canon PowerShot S3 IS, Firmware version 1.00
Like the S2 IS before it (and for that matter the original S1 IS), the latest version of Canon's flagship Image stabilized Ultra zoom PowerShot has been one of the most popular cameras on dpreview (measured by clicks) since the day it was announced. Unlike the S2, the PowerShot S3 IS is a relatively minor upgrade to it's predecessor, much more of an evolutionary change than a wholesale reinvention. The basic spec (aside from the sensor) is pretty familiar; 12x optical zoom, flip 'n' twist LCD, tons of photographic control and advanced movie mode with stereo sound. The S2 IS was one of the best big zoom cameras of last year, but this is a highly competitive sector of the market, so does the S3 IS still have what it takes to keep Canon near the top? Let's find out.
Aside from the move to the new 1/2.5" 6 megapixel sensor and a larger screen the S3 IS is, as mentioned above, a pretty minor upgrade. The most immediately obvious difference is the color; very dark gunmetal as opposed to shiny silver. Sat next to the S2 IS the new camera looks a lot more serious, and is a lot more inconspicuous when you're out shooting. Externally the cameras are otherwise almost identical (the S3 IS is fractionally heavier, not that you'd notice).
 Canon PowerShot S3 IS |
 Canon PowerShot S2 IS |
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|---|---|---|
| Body color | Gunmetal grey | Silver |
| Sensor | 1/2.5” CCD, 6.2 million pixels | 1/2.5” CCD, 5.3 million pixels |
| Effective Resolution | 6.0 million pixels | 5.0 million pixels |
| Maximum Image Size | 2816 x 2112 |
2592 x 1944 |
| Widescreen mode | Yes | No |
| Histogram | Record & playback | Playback only |
| Scene modes | • Custom |
• Custom • Portrait • Landscape • Night Scene • My Colors • Stitch Assist • Foliage • Snow • Beach • Fireworks • Indoor • Night Snapshot |
| Continuous Shooting | 2.3 fps, unlimited | 2.4 fps, unlimited |
| LCD screen | • 2.0-inch TFT (flip out and twist) • 115,000 pixels |
• 1.8-inch TFT (flip out and twist) • 115,000 pixels |
| Weight (no batteries) | 410g | 405g |
| Street price | • US: $480 • UK: £330 |
|---|---|
| Body Material | Plastic |
| Sensor | • 1/2.5 " Type CCD • 6.0 million effective pixels |
| Image sizes | • 2816 x 2112 • 2816 x 1584 (16:9 widescreen mode) • 2272 x 1704 • 1600 x 1200 • 640 x 480 |
| Movie clips | • 640 x 480 @ 30 / 15fps • 320 x 240 @ 60 / 30 / 15fps • Photo in Movie feature • WAVE (stereo) • Length limited only by storage (maximum single movie file 1GB) • AVI (Motion JPEG compression) |
| Lens | • 36 - 432mm equiv. (12x optical zoom) |
| Focus | • TTL autofocus
• Single / Continuous AF • Manual focus • Focus lock • 1-point AF (center or flexizone) • 10 cm minimum focus range (macro) |
| Metering | • Evaluative • Center-weighted average • Spot (center or linked to focusing frame) |
| Shutter | • Mechanical shutter + Electronic shutter |
| Aperture | • F2.7-F8.0 (wide) • F3.5-F8.0 (tele) |
| Shooting mode | • Auto • Program AE • Shutter Priority AE • Aperture Priority AE • Manual • Custom • Portrait • Landscape • Night Scene • Sports • Stitch Assist • Foliage • Snow • Beach • Fireworks • Indoor • Night Snapshot • Color Accent • Color Swap |
| Sensitivity | • Auto • High ISO Auto • ISO 80 • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 |
| White Balance | • Auto • Daylight • Cloudy • Tungsten • Fluorescent • Fluorescent H • Flash • Custom |
| Image parameters | • Contrast (3 levels) |
| Continuous | • High Speed approx. 2.3fps • Normal approx. 1.5fps |
| Flash | • Auto • Manual Flash On / Off • Slow Synch • Red eye reduction • Flash exposure lock • Flash Exposure Compensation +/- 2EV in 1/3 stop increments • Manual Power adjustment • Second Curtain Synch • Range (wide): 50cm - 5.2m (1.6-17ft) • Range (tele): 90cm - 4.0m (3.0-13 ft) • Range (macro): 30 - 50m (1.0-1.6 ft) |
| Storage | • SD / MMC compatible • 16MB card supplied |
| Viewfinder | • EVF (0.33" type) • 115,000 pixels • 100% coverage • Dioptre adjustment (-5.5 to 1.5 dpt) |
| LCD monitor | • Vari-angle 2.0-inch Low Temp P-Si TFT • 115,000 pixels • Adjustable Brightness • 100% coverage |
| Connectivity | • USB 2.0 High speed • A/V out |
| Power | • 4 x AA batteries (NiMH recommended) • (Optional AC adapter) |
| Other features | • Orientation sensor |
| Optional accessories | • Tele-converter 1.5x lens (TC-DC58B) • Wide-converter 0.75x lens (WC-DC58A) • Lens Adapter/Hood Set (LAH-DC20) • Close-Up Lens 500D (58mm) • High Power Flash HF-DC1 • Soft Case (DCC-90) • Compact AC Power Adapter (CA-PS700) • Battery and Charger Kit (CBK4-300) |
| Weight (no batt) | 410 g |
| Dimensions | 113.4 x 78 x 75.5 mm |
* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area
If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital
Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help
you understand some of the terms used).
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Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions. Images which can be viewed at a larger size have a small magnifying glass icon in the bottom right corner of the image, clicking on the image will display a larger (typically VGA) image in a new window. To navigate the review simply use the next / previous page buttons, to jump to a particular section either pick the section from the drop down or select it from the navigation bar at the top. DPReview calibrate their monitors using Color Vision OptiCal at the (fairly well accepted) PC normal gamma 2.2, this means that on our monitors we can make out the difference between all of the (computer generated) grayscale blocks below. We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X,Y and Z and ideally A,B and C. |
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This article is Copyright 2006 and may NOT in part or in whole be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from the author.
Canon PowerShot Pro Series S3 IS 6MP with 12x Image Stabilized Zoom | $799.95 |
Canon PowerShot Pro Series S3 IS 6MP with 12x Image Stabilized Zoom | $799.95 |
Canon PowerShot Pro Series S5 IS 8.0MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom | $749.00 |
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