Canon PowerShot S3 IS reviewed

Digital Camera Resource got their mits on the Canon PowerShot S3 IS recently and were kind enough to post a detailed review for our perusal. While the S3 isn't exactly "an exciting upgrade" over its S2 IS predecessor, the reviewer still found it to be an "excellent" ultra zoom camera. Besides the bump from 5 to 6 mexapixels, the camera's two most touted new features are ISO 800 sensitivity and 60fps QVGA / 30fps VGA recording. Well, the ISO 800 snaps shot under low light were found to be, er, "not usable" while those taken under normal light should be limited to 4x6 prints with the aid of some noise reduction software. However, the overall noise level was still considered "low for a 6 megapixel camera." Meanwhile, the video capabilities were found to be excellent due to stereo sound recording and the ability to zoom silently while filming. However, lacking an MPEG-4 codec means your flicks will hit the 1GB per recording wall in only 9-minutes under the highest quality settings. Overall, the camera earns the reviewer's "enthusiastic recommendation" due to its "very good photo quality" and "snappy performance" in a "solid and capable" ultra zoom camera.

[Ed @ May 1st 2006 12:11PM]

WTF is this, a Zagat review?

"Readers" say, these "quote-happy articles" are "obnoxious" and "painful to read". Stick to the "original content" or at least "tag it as zagat-riffic".

[jlc @ May 1st 2006 2:37PM]

the big question on my mind is... does the lens cover stay on better than the S2-IS cover? that thing falls off all the time.

[Mike @ May 1st 2006 2:38PM]

Personally, the S3 IS, looks like another way for them to jack the price up.. I've seen the S2 for as low as $300 on bizrate already, and when I called Wal-Mart a week or two ago they said they'd have it for that price in "a week or two." Sure, they might've put a few more minor features on and changed the color [wow!], but it really looks the same. I think if any, I'll probably go with the S2, at least until I have enough money to get a SLR.

[h0mi @ May 1st 2006 3:16PM]

I almost bought an s2 is last year but dell had them on backorder, and I opted for an sd500 instead at best buy.

I'm going back and forth between getting an s2 at $300 or better and snagging an s3 instead. Still not certain what to do.

[Michael @ May 1st 2006 3:24PM]

I absolutely require image stabilization of some sort, so the S3 interests me. I want to buy a new camera before my sister's wedding so this might be it.

[Washington DC Photographer @ May 1st 2006 4:21PM]

This looks like an interesting point-and-shoot camera with some cool features...

John

[huge hands! @ May 2nd 2006 2:35PM]

Wow, the model there must have enormous hands. The S3 (and S2) are far from small. Know that that picture is very misleading.

[Julian Harris @ May 3rd 2006 9:25AM]

> 2. the big question on my mind is... does the lens
> cover stay on better than the S2-IS cover? that
> thing falls off all the time.

Yes. I have an S2 and my girlfriend just got the S3 (despite my protests -- I wanted to wait until they brought one out that was 7MP and higher res screen). The cap does hold tighter. It's definitely a step up from the S2 but is more a symptom of an intensely competitive marketplace -- I'm personally holding out for an 'S4' I guess it'll be called with all above and ability to record without the 1GB limit. Both the S2 and S3's highlights are the 0mm macro (yes ZERO), detachable viewfinder and optical image stabilising / 12x zoom. And it's a handy stereo audio-only recorder too for podcasts (good kwalitee mike). Don't underestimate the value of a detachable viewfinder either -- that's a dealbreaker for me as well.

PS Engadget why don't you upgrade your comments so it can be a discussion?

[Electronics This Week @ May 9th 2006 8:57PM]

Just intend to buy the S2, and saw S3 is released. Although both are far better than obsolete S1, but only problem with both S2 and S3 is the movie mode, while exceptional and unlike most other camera that do not permit zoom during movie mode, Canon has done a great job, but I don't understand why they even did not include a MPEG4 codec in S3, At least they should do something so that one can record film up to 30min on a single, perhaps 2GB card, similar to consumer DV media.

[Markos @ May 9th 2006 10:25PM]

Julian, how do you compare the picture quality of S2 vs. S3? I am torn between the 2. Right now, S2 goes for about $320 while S3 costs $470. That's 50% more expensive and I don't know if it's justified but on the other hand it's only $150 which means 2-3 nights out' worth, for having the better quality. In your opinion, is the difference justified?

[Rob Dougal @ Jul 28th 2006 12:14PM]

I have the Canon s3 is and love it !!

Yes, the lens cap is a little loose and to take it off all I have to do is turn the camera on and the zoom lens spits it off..heheh lol (do that when I forget to take lens cap off)

Great photos, great video options.

This is an all around great camera and I'm very happy with it's performance.

I suggest getting it. My brother just got the S2 IS, images are slighly blury. S3 is the way to go.

Picture clarity, amazing with S3 is.