Canon Powershot S3IS digital camera test and review

The Canon Powershot S3 IS comes in black colour (the Canon Powershot S2 IS was silver colour) to make S3 IS digital camera more SLR and professional camera looking. The major differences between Canon S3 IS and Canon S2 IS digital cameras are; wide range of ISO from 80-800 (S2 IS: ISO 50-400), 2 inch LCD screen (S2 IS: 1.8 inch), wide screen format photo and 6 mega pixel effective pixels (S2 IS: 5MP). Canon S3 IS succeeds the superb 12X optical zoom from Canon S2 IS digital camera. Basically, the shooting modes, image sensor, AF system and many features of Canon S3IS are the same as Canon S2IS.

This time, I take a visit to the famous Bondi Beach to test Canon Powershot S3 IS 12X Optical zoom. The following photos (Photo 1,2,3,4) are taken at around 11:30AM in the morning. That location is on top of the hill of Bondi beach which is very good for camera zooming test in the day time and excellent spot for family to enjoy delicious fish and chips at night. We can easily see the 12X optical zoom result by comparing photo 1 and photo 2; photo 3 and photo 4. The result is very satisfactory from my point of view. Luckily, I am not peeping person, otherwise, I will bring the tele-converter TC-BC58B with me to get the maximum zooming from Canon S3 IS.

Due to the strong wind blowing, the image stabiliser (IS) has been activated and is very effective. Without the image stabiliser, I don't think I can get clear photos in this environment. As we all know, hand shake affecting photos will be even more serious in infinity zooming situation. However, according to my test in strong wind blowing environment, 9 out of 10 photos with 12X zooming are clear with Canon S3 IS digital camera.

From my personal experience, a digital camera with more zooming capability will be very helpful especially when you take a trip with your kids to a zoo. Of course, image stabiliser or anti shake function, and good movie quality are also important for zoo visiting. Canon S3 IS could be an ideal camera for visiting the zoo except for it's size and weight. However, nothing is perfect, right?

Well, trying to be artistic which I am not very good at it. This photo is taken at 2:30PM Sydney winter time. Camera setting is Program mode, day light setting, ISO 80 and evaluate AF metering. I personally believe Canon S3 IS owners will spend plenty of time trying different settings with this camera.

Indoor test with fluorescent lights.

Camera setting: auto mode and auto flash.

Canon S3 IS Super macro mode

According to my test, the closest distance from the subject is 4-5cm in both Macro mode and super Macro mode. The macro photo is with good sharpness and detail. Moreover, the manual focus function is available in Canon S3 IS digital camera except in auto mode.

Thanks to the wide range of ISO, the night shot photos of Canon S3 IS digital camera are very good and with less noise generated. The 12X Optical zoom also works fine in night shot mode. Most compact size digital cameras will get weak focus especially with neon light when zooming to infinity in night shot mode. However, Canon S3IS digital camera does very good job in this situation.

Canon S3IS night shot mode	night shot mode with 12X Optical zoom

Canon Powershot S3 IS digital camera test and review