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Canon Powershot S3 IS Digital Camera (6.0MP, 2816x1944, 12x Opt, 16MB SD Memory Card)

86

Very Good
  • Pros
  • Swiveling LCD, many control buttons
  • 12X optical zoom, image stabilization
  • Cons
  • Low battery life
  • Performance: Very Good: 88
  • Features: Good: 79
  • Design: Very Good: 85
Find out how these scores, and their relative weights, combine to produce the PC World Rating.
Performance
Battery Life (minutes)182.25
Battery Life ScoreVery Good
Image Quality ScoreVery Good
Image Quality, Color62.9
Image Quality, Color--Adjusted70
Image Quality, Color--Auto55.9
Image Quality, Distortion51.5
Image Quality, Distortion--Noise32.9
Image Quality, Distortion--Noise Reduction73.9
Image Quality, Distortion--Sharp Interpolation57.7
Image Quality, Exposure58.4
Image Quality, Exposure--Flash49.5
Image Quality, Exposure--Normal62.2
Image Quality, Overall65.3
Image Quality, Sharpness45.8
Number of Batteries4
Number of Shots331
About the Test Center

What You Should Know about the Powershot S3 IS Digital Camera (6.0MP, 2816x1944, 12x Opt, 16MB SD Memory Card)

Larger-Than-Average Optical Zoom Range

The optical zoom range on this camera is sufficiently broad to give you considerable creative control. Your options extend from individual portraits to group shots to wide-angle landscapes. Most point-and-shoots offer a focal length range that’s roughly equivalent to 35mm to 105mm on a 35mm film camera. At the wide end (the 35mm, in this case), they shoot a bit wider than what you see with your eye. At the telephoto end (the 105mm, in this case), they can zoom in a good deal closer than you’d be able to with the naked eye.

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User Reviews for Canon Powershot S3 IS Digital Camera (6.0MP, 2816x1944, 12x Opt, 16MB SD Memory Card)

  • Reviewed by: MapmakerJenny

    Duration of ownership: 8 Months

    Strengths: Easy to use functions

    Weaknesses: limited on its capabilities if you use anything other than auto.

    Overall Evaluation: Nice looking base. Easy to use, but not really the best of the Canon cameras I've owned. If you're looking to upgrade I'd hold save my money and get the 30D. If you're on a budget I'd consider going to the Powershot camera.

  • Reviewed by: jhunts5

    Duration of ownership: 1 Year

    Strengths: - 12x optical - multi function scene modes - ease of use - Canon backing and reliability

    Weaknesses: - a little bulkier than basic point and shoots but smaller than SLRs - wide angle shots (typical problem for most p+s cameras - movie mode is quirky, but, hey, I didn't buy this for movies

    Overall Evaluation: When shopping for a decent point and shoot, my friend said, "you can't go wrong with a Canon" and I had to agree. When I shop for cameras they are typically Canon - even my recent VDO camera purchase. The S3's main appeal is the 12x optical zoom - and I am really speaking for the S series in general - you just can't beat this type of zoom. I think that some other manufacturers are beginning to compete with this, but when the S3 came out, it was still the king on the market. The S3 takes crisp pictures without the drawbacks of the ultra portable tiny lensed cousins. I am more than happy with this camera, and as long as you don't need all of the SLR versatility, for the price, this is a great buy.

See all user reviews

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