Compare Prices : Canon PowerShot S3 IS - Expert Reviews

Pros: Great handling, feature packed, great image quality, excellent macro function, good price

Cons: Intrusive noise at higher ISOs, purple pixel fringing, focus hunting at longer focal lengths, screen and viewfinder hard to see in bright conditions

Verdict: The Canon Powershot S3IS a few new neat features and tweaks that make it an interesting model and slight upgrade on its predecessor the S2IS

Review summary: Can the latest update to the IS series prove its worth?

Pros: Great handling, feature packed, great image quality, excellent macro function, good price

Cons: Intrusive noise at higher ISOs, purple pixel fringing, focus hunting at longer focal lengths, screen and viewfinder hard to see in bright conditions

Verdict: The Canon Powershot S3IS a few new neat features and tweaks that make it an interesting model and slight upgrade on its predecessor the S2IS

Pros: No shutter lag. Articulating LCD. Powerful feature set. Very good video.

Cons: Smallish 2-inch LCD. Mediocre recycle time. Expensive.

Verdict: There's a lot to like about the 12X optical, 6-megapixel Canon PowerShot S3 IS superzoom, but the price is steep.

Pros: Brilliant pictures, Big Zoom, Advanced Functionality

Cons: Burst mode could be better

Verdict: An absolutely brilliant ultra zoom model that combines a 12X zoom lens with exceptional picture quality and all the usual functionality.

Review summary: The PowerShot S3 IS is only a marginal upgrade from the S2 IS. The new model boasts an extra megapixel, a larger screen, and slightly improved sensitivity.

Pros: Option for ISO800 is handy, while overall picture quality is a slight improvement on its predecessor. Black paint job looks great.

Cons: No camera RAW file option, and it lacks the excellent wide-area AiAF system found on Canon's pocket cameras. Focusing is too slow to follow action.

Verdict: Auto focus is tardy, and it's especially noticeable at the longer focal lengths. While all this is damming for sports photographers, the S3 IS isn't without its attractions, but with the replacement for Sony's DSC-H1 imminent, this particular ...