Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Performance
The PowerShot S3 IS uses four AA-sized batteries which are easily replaceable when your cells run dry. The flip side is a slightly larger and heavier body which, in some cases, still manages to please users due to the overall substantial feel of the unit.

Despite having an extending lens that protrudes about 3cm from the barrel, the S3 IS managed a zippy 1.5-second power-up and shutdown time. Time to first shot was about 2 seconds, and you can shoot thereafter every 1.6 seconds without flash and 3 seconds with flash.

This megazoom camera didn't have too much difficulty finding its subjects in ambient lighting conditions. On most occasions, it was able to lock its focus in 2 seconds.

Burst mode was a bundle of joy. We managed to capture a total of 88 6-megapixel frames on our Imation 1GB Secure Digital card in a minute, which worked out to be about 1.5 frames per second.

The vari-angle 2-inch LCD was useful especially in difficult shooting positions, but it also meant we had to squint when we were shooting above a crowd due to the size of the screen.

Image Quality
Noise levels were relatively contained though, at ISO 400 and ISO 800, our pictures were rendered practically useless, especially at the maximum sensitivity level.

We particularly liked the Super Macro mode on the S3 IS which allowed us to get as close as 0cm to our subject.

Overall, the camera took well-exposed pictures with good color reproduction. Purple fringing wasn't an issue in most of our frames as well, although there were the occasional clippings in the highlights and shadows which shouldn't affect general photography users.

• Most Popular

• Upcoming

What's Hot