DESCRIPTION

Like the S2 IS before it (and for that matter the original S1 IS), the latest version of Canon's flagship Image stabilized Ultra zoom PowerShot has been one of the most popular cameras on dpreview (measured by clicks) since the day it was announced. Unlike the S2, the PowerShot S3 IS is a relatively minor upgrade to it's predecessor, much more of an evolutionary change than a wholesale reinvention. The basic spec (aside from the sensor) is pretty familiar; 12x optical zoom, flip 'n' twist LCD, tons of photographic control and advanced movie mode with stereo sound. The S2 IS was one of the best big zoom cameras of last year, but this is a highly competitive sector of the market, so does the S3 IS still have what it takes to keep Canon near the top? Let's find out.

TECHNICAL DETAILS 

• 12x optical zoom lens with USM and UD lens element
• Optical Image Stabilizer
• 6.0 Megapixel CCD
• 2.0" Vari-angle LCD
• 30fps VGA movies with stereo sound and Photo in Movie feature
• DIGIC II, iSAPS and Flexizone AF/AE for fast, precise results and 2.3 fps continuous shooting
• 20 shooting modes and My Colors photo effects
• High ISO Auto and ISO 800 for low light flexibility
• Widescreen (16:9) recording

FEATURES

Format Compact

Price (street) US$322 Also known as Release Status Click for help

Max resolution 2816 x 2112 Click for help

Low resolution 2272 x 1704, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480 Click for help

Image ratio w:h 4:3 Click for help

Effective pixels 6.0 million Click for help

Sensor photo detectors 6.2 million Click for help

Sensor size 1/2.5 " Click for help

Sensor type CCD Click for help

Colour filter array RGB Click for help

Sensor manufacturer Unknown Click for help

ISO rating Auto, 80 ,100, 200, 400, 800 Click for help

Zoom wide (W) 36 mm Click for help

Zoom tele (T) 432 mm (12 x) Click for help

Digital zoom Yes 4x Click for help

Image stabilization Yes, Lens Click for help Auto Focus Yes Click for help

Manual Focus Yes Click for help

Auto focus type TTL, FlexiZone Click for help Normal focus range 50 cm Click for help

Macro focus range 10/0 cm Click for help

White balance override 6 positions & manual preset Click for help Aperture range F2.7 - F3.5 / F8 Click for help

Min shutter 15 sec Click for help

Max shutter 1/3200 sec

Built-in Flash Yes, pop-up Flash guide no. 5.2 m (17 ft) 2 m

External flash No

Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Click for help

Exposure compensation -2 to +2 EV in 1/3 EV steps Click for help

Metering Evaluative, Center Weighted, Spot Click for help

Aperture priority Yes Click for help

Shutter priority Yes Click for help

Focal length multiplier

Lens thread Yes, optional Bayonet Click for help

Continuous Drive Yes, 1.5 fps / 2.3 fps

Movie Clips Yes, 640 x 480, 15/30 fps with stereo audio, unlimited

Remote control No

Self-timer 2 or 10 sec or custom Click for help

Timelapse recording Yes

Orientation sensor Yes Click for help

Storage types SD/MMC card Click for help

Storage included 16 MB SD card Click for help

Uncompressed format No Click for help

Compressed format JPEG (EXIF 2.2) Click for help

Quality Levels Super-Fine, Fine, Normal Click for help

Viewfinder Electronic Click for help LCD 2.0 " (flip-out & twist) Click for help

LCD Pixels 115,000 Click for help

Video out Yes Click for help USB Yes, 2.0 Click for help

Firewire (IEEE 1394) No Click for help

Battery / Charger No Click for help

Battery AA (4) batteries (NiMH recommended)

Weight (inc. batteries) 510 g (18 oz)

Dimensions 113 x 78 x 76 mm (4.5 x 3.1 x 3 in)

Notes Resolution

Chart Colour Patches