Отзывы о Фотоаппарат Canon PowerShot S3 IS
691 отзывов пользователей o Canon PowerShot S3 IS
Пользовались
Canon PowerShot S3 IS?
Поделитесь своим опытом и помогите другим сделать правильный выбор
Скроменый эксперт
07.08.2006
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
As an editor and designer (but not a professional photographer), I wanted a camera that wouldn't look ridiculous on a shoot, wouldn't require me to fiddle around too much with nuanced settings, and wouldn't require me to invest too much in lenses to coax some good shots out of it. I also had gotten used to some conveniences from point-and-shoot digital cameras that I thought I'd lose out on by going SLR.
There were other cameras I had considered, especially from my old favorite brands, Olympus and Fuji. But the closest contenders were the S3's predecessor, the S2, and the Panasonic Lumix FZ7.
The Panasonic was making a hard sell: same optical zoom, similar if not better performance in speed tests, similar reviews regarding color and overall quality of their photos. And, really, the Panasonic was tremendously less expensive and featured a Leica lens, which made the brand-whore in me a little excited. But the final blow: The Panasonic seemed to have a goofy rechargable battery system, which is great if you have replacement batteries of the same type, but not so great if you're travelling. The S3, on the other hand, uses regular AAs. That meands I can use rechargeables as I like, or get some Duracells. On the road, that's important: I can't worry about whether I packed a charger, an extra battery or if the voltage is going to be alright in the country I'm in. The other big factor, the trademark Canon swivel-mount LCD display, was critical to my decision. I love having one on my Canon DV camcorder, especially when I'm taking overhead action in a crowd (or just trying to get a better view of the stage at a show!). And it beats the heck out of trying the classic hey-let's-point-the-camera-at-ourselves-and hope-it-works-self-portraiture technique. Just turn the LCD around toward the lens and, as long as you avoid looking to the side at yourself while taking the actual photo, it works like a charm. And just as your lens should have a cap, the LCD screen tucks away to protect it from fingerprints and grit that can mar it just as easily as the lens.
So, moving away from the Panasonic, I had seriously looked at an S2, since most reviews had talked about the S3 not being much of an upgrade from that model. After some consideration, I decided that the LCD of the S2 was a little too small (though the S3, with a slightly larger screen, is no prize-winner in that arena either) and the additional resolution of the S3 would help with zooming and cropping on otherwise too-wide shots. But the real reason I chose the S3 is much more shallow: the black S3 passes off much more like a professional camera than the silver-toned S2, which screams pocket camera. I really think that makes a difference at an event-- you'll get more cooperation from folks if you look a bit more on-the-job, than just a groupie taking snapshots.
So far, I have not been disappointed. The thing that makes me most happy about my decision, especially in the way of not having gone the SLR-route, is that going fully-automatic with the camera doesn't fail to come out with great images. I'm no pro, but I've got some sense of what I'm doing photographically. I've played with a lot of the settings and going manual when I have had the chance, but at least 80% of the time, letting the camera's auto mode do the work comes up with the best shots. And when I'm taking quick shots at a crowded event with no chance to mess with settings, that always makes me happy. And I've only replaced the batteries once, and the second set is still going strong after a few weeks--I suspect the batteries in the box didn't have much to them.
My only two real complaints at the moment: the small, but awkward dimensions and the color compared to my old pocket camera. The size of the camera is actually a plus; it's smaller than an SLR--with or without the lens attached--and can easily be "palmed" with one hand without feeling like it's going to slip. On the other hand, I've never had a harder time trying to find a nice camera bag that wasn't too snug (the lens barrel with cap can make most "digital camera cases" fit much too tightly to be of any convenience or protection) or too roomy (even the smallest SLR bags are too big and DV camera bags a little too compartmentalized or too "secure" with multiple zippers and flaps). Because of that, I just place it in my satchel with the rest of my stuff and hope for the best.
As for the color: I feel like everything I've shot so far has been okay, but comparing the color produced by the S3 versus my old cheap Fujis (the last being an A303 or my brother's current F470) reveals a big gap. Under good, naturally-lit conditions, the colors from the Fuji cameras always come out bright and deliciously saturated. The Canon's seem true enough, but muted and almost dull relative to my old photos. It's nothing that makes me disappointed, and perhaps I can play a little more
There were other cameras I had considered, especially from my old favorite brands, Olympus and Fuji. But the closest contenders were the S3's predecessor, the S2, and the Panasonic Lumix FZ7.
The Panasonic was making a hard sell: same optical zoom, similar if not better performance in speed tests, similar reviews regarding color and overall quality of their photos. And, really, the Panasonic was tremendously less expensive and featured a Leica lens, which made the brand-whore in me a little excited. But the final blow: The Panasonic seemed to have a goofy rechargable battery system, which is great if you have replacement batteries of the same type, but not so great if you're travelling. The S3, on the other hand, uses regular AAs. That meands I can use rechargeables as I like, or get some Duracells. On the road, that's important: I can't worry about whether I packed a charger, an extra battery or if the voltage is going to be alright in the country I'm in. The other big factor, the trademark Canon swivel-mount LCD display, was critical to my decision. I love having one on my Canon DV camcorder, especially when I'm taking overhead action in a crowd (or just trying to get a better view of the stage at a show!). And it beats the heck out of trying the classic hey-let's-point-the-camera-at-ourselves-and hope-it-works-self-portraiture technique. Just turn the LCD around toward the lens and, as long as you avoid looking to the side at yourself while taking the actual photo, it works like a charm. And just as your lens should have a cap, the LCD screen tucks away to protect it from fingerprints and grit that can mar it just as easily as the lens.
So, moving away from the Panasonic, I had seriously looked at an S2, since most reviews had talked about the S3 not being much of an upgrade from that model. After some consideration, I decided that the LCD of the S2 was a little too small (though the S3, with a slightly larger screen, is no prize-winner in that arena either) and the additional resolution of the S3 would help with zooming and cropping on otherwise too-wide shots. But the real reason I chose the S3 is much more shallow: the black S3 passes off much more like a professional camera than the silver-toned S2, which screams pocket camera. I really think that makes a difference at an event-- you'll get more cooperation from folks if you look a bit more on-the-job, than just a groupie taking snapshots.
So far, I have not been disappointed. The thing that makes me most happy about my decision, especially in the way of not having gone the SLR-route, is that going fully-automatic with the camera doesn't fail to come out with great images. I'm no pro, but I've got some sense of what I'm doing photographically. I've played with a lot of the settings and going manual when I have had the chance, but at least 80% of the time, letting the camera's auto mode do the work comes up with the best shots. And when I'm taking quick shots at a crowded event with no chance to mess with settings, that always makes me happy. And I've only replaced the batteries once, and the second set is still going strong after a few weeks--I suspect the batteries in the box didn't have much to them.
My only two real complaints at the moment: the small, but awkward dimensions and the color compared to my old pocket camera. The size of the camera is actually a plus; it's smaller than an SLR--with or without the lens attached--and can easily be "palmed" with one hand without feeling like it's going to slip. On the other hand, I've never had a harder time trying to find a nice camera bag that wasn't too snug (the lens barrel with cap can make most "digital camera cases" fit much too tightly to be of any convenience or protection) or too roomy (even the smallest SLR bags are too big and DV camera bags a little too compartmentalized or too "secure" with multiple zippers and flaps). Because of that, I just place it in my satchel with the rest of my stuff and hope for the best.
As for the color: I feel like everything I've shot so far has been okay, but comparing the color produced by the S3 versus my old cheap Fujis (the last being an A303 or my brother's current F470) reveals a big gap. Under good, naturally-lit conditions, the colors from the Fuji cameras always come out bright and deliciously saturated. The Canon's seem true enough, but muted and almost dull relative to my old photos. It's nothing that makes me disappointed, and perhaps I can play a little more
Скроменый эксперт
20.08.2009
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
I bought this camera a couple of years ago when I decided to upgrade from my 3.2 MP fuji. I debated between this one and the then brand new S5. Eventually, price factors won and I bought the slightly older, yet much cheaper model - the S3. The camera is great. I do not like simple point and shoot cams and the proffesional cameras are way out of my leage, so this is a great place in the middle.
The 12X zoom is amazing. I very rarely use the digital zoom, but on occasions were I have, the pictures came out very well. I love the functions that the camera has and the control that is given to the user over the different options of the picture taking (shutter speed, WB, format...). The special functions are also amazing. I especially like the panarama option and the color swap function.
As for video, I was very suprised at the high quality video that you can take with the camera. They play full screen on my 22" screen and look amazing.
All in all, this is a great camera for someone who likes to feel the camera in their hand and control the picture.
The 12X zoom is amazing. I very rarely use the digital zoom, but on occasions were I have, the pictures came out very well. I love the functions that the camera has and the control that is given to the user over the different options of the picture taking (shutter speed, WB, format...). The special functions are also amazing. I especially like the panarama option and the color swap function.
As for video, I was very suprised at the high quality video that you can take with the camera. They play full screen on my 22" screen and look amazing.
All in all, this is a great camera for someone who likes to feel the camera in their hand and control the picture.
Скроменый эксперт
04.05.2010
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
I'm not going to drag this out. For $25, you really can't go wrong with this tripod. Very easy to extend to full height, comes with a handle little carrying bad, in short, awesome.
Скроменый эксперт
14.05.2010
8/10
Оценка пользователя
Хорошо
Lightweight with bag and free mini. Not bad for the buck but it is hard to adjust and not for a professional photographer.
Скроменый эксперт
15.06.2007
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
If it's not, it's clearly very close. I just bought this camera on a spur of the moment after seeing a friend of mine play with his. And at less than $300, I thought it was a bargain!
I immediately took this S3 on vacation with me and it was truly impressive.
Pros: A bargain at under $300, optical image stabilizer, uses regular AA batteries
Cons: If I think of any, I'll let you know
I've always been a fan of Canon cameras and this camera just blew me away. I had to get it. The 12X optical zoom and the optical image stabilizer was enough to seal the deal: no questions asked. The bonus was the weight, the fact that it takes normal AA NIMH batteries rather than the proprietary battery. Added bonus was the flash stays off unless you flip the flash unit up and the camera is nearly silent when you turn off the sounds. This makes taking pictures in places you're not normally supposed to take pictures super easy! I like the view finder when shooting outdoors and the swivel color LCD display is nice too. Little things like the review mode work well and the camera goes from off to shutter release in less than 2 seconds, making it possible to get all those pictures you would normally miss with the earlier generation point and shoot cameras. I can't tell you how pleased I am with this camera. After taking nearly 8 gigabytes worth of pictures, I can't blame the camera for a single bad shot. In fact, many shots came out much better than I imagined. My old Canon would not have been able to take them at all, while the S3 was amazing!
So far, I've been impressed with how fast and easy the camera is and that I'm able to take usable pictures in conditions my old Canon would not have worked at all. Add to this that the image quality is absolutely stunning! The colors are vivid and sharp, the lens has a 12X zoom, which means you can get stable clear shots from a far distance and you won't need to lug around a tripod.
Did I mention that the video mode on this camera is also amazing? Yes, it shoots at various resolutions and frame rates and records audio in stereo. The image stabilizer also works in video mode and you can zoom while recording. It almost makes having a separate video camera unnecessary. Unlike the older Canons, video are not limited in length: you can shoot until your card is full.
Like I alluded to earlier, the reason I love this camera so much is that I can go into museums and other places where taking pictures is either difficult or impossible and the S3 snaps amazing pictures so fast, no one even knows you're taking pictures. While other people are snapping pictures and their flash has to go off, the S3 whips out a dozen shots with no flash, no annoying shutter sound and no one even knows! It was also quite easy to hand the S3 to nearby strangers to take a snapshot of you without having to explain how to use it. It is just that natural to use.
Battery life was very good. I brought 20 NIMH 2000ma batteries and a set of 4 lasted a day and a half. I replaced a set of 4 each day so I never had had to worry about the batteries dying on me.
Ok, convinced yet? I didn't mention that the S3 can take amazing shots at 0 inches from the lens and that you can override all the settings and you can edit movies and a bunch more things. I'm sure it can do things I don't even know about yet, since I've had the camera only 3 weeks. I never used any of the numerous modes other than Auto and P)rogram mode. While on my trip, I noticed that many people had the S2 or the S3 and they all really liked theirs. And while I'm writing this, the S5 has been announced. I'm sure the S5 is amazing too, but you will be more than satisfied with the S3.
I immediately took this S3 on vacation with me and it was truly impressive.
Pros: A bargain at under $300, optical image stabilizer, uses regular AA batteries
Cons: If I think of any, I'll let you know
I've always been a fan of Canon cameras and this camera just blew me away. I had to get it. The 12X optical zoom and the optical image stabilizer was enough to seal the deal: no questions asked. The bonus was the weight, the fact that it takes normal AA NIMH batteries rather than the proprietary battery. Added bonus was the flash stays off unless you flip the flash unit up and the camera is nearly silent when you turn off the sounds. This makes taking pictures in places you're not normally supposed to take pictures super easy! I like the view finder when shooting outdoors and the swivel color LCD display is nice too. Little things like the review mode work well and the camera goes from off to shutter release in less than 2 seconds, making it possible to get all those pictures you would normally miss with the earlier generation point and shoot cameras. I can't tell you how pleased I am with this camera. After taking nearly 8 gigabytes worth of pictures, I can't blame the camera for a single bad shot. In fact, many shots came out much better than I imagined. My old Canon would not have been able to take them at all, while the S3 was amazing!
So far, I've been impressed with how fast and easy the camera is and that I'm able to take usable pictures in conditions my old Canon would not have worked at all. Add to this that the image quality is absolutely stunning! The colors are vivid and sharp, the lens has a 12X zoom, which means you can get stable clear shots from a far distance and you won't need to lug around a tripod.
Did I mention that the video mode on this camera is also amazing? Yes, it shoots at various resolutions and frame rates and records audio in stereo. The image stabilizer also works in video mode and you can zoom while recording. It almost makes having a separate video camera unnecessary. Unlike the older Canons, video are not limited in length: you can shoot until your card is full.
Like I alluded to earlier, the reason I love this camera so much is that I can go into museums and other places where taking pictures is either difficult or impossible and the S3 snaps amazing pictures so fast, no one even knows you're taking pictures. While other people are snapping pictures and their flash has to go off, the S3 whips out a dozen shots with no flash, no annoying shutter sound and no one even knows! It was also quite easy to hand the S3 to nearby strangers to take a snapshot of you without having to explain how to use it. It is just that natural to use.
Battery life was very good. I brought 20 NIMH 2000ma batteries and a set of 4 lasted a day and a half. I replaced a set of 4 each day so I never had had to worry about the batteries dying on me.
Ok, convinced yet? I didn't mention that the S3 can take amazing shots at 0 inches from the lens and that you can override all the settings and you can edit movies and a bunch more things. I'm sure it can do things I don't even know about yet, since I've had the camera only 3 weeks. I never used any of the numerous modes other than Auto and P)rogram mode. While on my trip, I noticed that many people had the S2 or the S3 and they all really liked theirs. And while I'm writing this, the S5 has been announced. I'm sure the S5 is amazing too, but you will be more than satisfied with the S3.
Скроменый эксперт
24.06.2006
8/10
Оценка пользователя
Хорошо
SO MANY FEATURES. SO LITTLE TIME.
Is it possible for a camera to make an amateur photographer better? Apparently this is Canon's goal with the S3. It provides easy access to controls that compensate for common difficult shooting scenarios. Most point-and-shoot (P+S) cameras have few buttons - relying instead on hidden menu driven options. While this may make the camera appear less intimidating initially, locating the correct setting while attempting to frame and photograph action or bad lighting subjects is frustrating. As a result, many features go unused.
By way of comparison, the S3 has at least ten more buttons than my discontinued P+S MINOLTA Dimage G500 (5MP 3x optical zoom). And many of the buttons on the CANON are multifunction depending on whether you are shooting in one of several modes, playing back stills, or movies - providing dozens of useful options.
The CANON S3 has a button for instant access to movie recording (with on-screen options for 320x240 15/30/60 fps or 640x480 15/30 fps) up to 1GB or one hour per clip. Stereo sound and zoom functions accompany movies. There are dedicated buttons for ISO, sound recording, flash, continuous shooting, macro, manual focus, display, and a customized shortcut. The mode dial on top of the camera includes settings for many typical situations such as portrait, landscape, sports, nighttime, and panoramic. There is also an AUTO[MATIC] mode. But if all your shots remain in this setting, you might as well use a P+S model.
The key benefit of the many buttons and dials on the S3 is quick access to a wide variety of useful features without taking your eye off the subject. The FUNC[TION] button can present a tremendous amount of pertinent information while the focused image is visible. Everything from remaining number of pictures and image quality to white balance and ISO feedback neatly border the subject. The DISP[LAY] button activates grids and histogram, switches between LCD and viewfinder, or reduces the amount of on-screen information. Either screen is equally informative and useful for making adjustments. The MENU button differs in that it brings up infrequently used options that temporarily replace the focused subject.
Elaborating a bit further on the impressive display of the CANON S3, it does a good job of simulating selected options. Punch up greens, blues, reds, all colors, neutralize, lighten or darken skin tones, photograph b+w or sepia and see the results before snapping the picture. It is possible to obtain untainted color even with mixed indoor lighting. In addition to AWB (automatic white balance) there are seven other settings accessed from the FUNC[TION] button. The last is custom metering. Just point at a white object in the room and press the SET button. No more green or orange casts on indoor photos!
Another common lighting problem occurs when a subject stands in front of a bright background or if frontal light from the sun washes out the highlights on faces. After a quick tap of the FUNC[TION] button, the first option in the upper left corner is exposure compensation. Use the omni selector left arrow to darken the foreground or right arrow to lighten it. If indoors or a relatively short distance away, you might also enable the flash. (For those with traditional photography background, there are also options for aperture priority or shutter speed priority on the mode dial.)
Despite efforts to write a short review, there is still much more to talk about. Image stabilization (IS) and the 12X optical zoom are significant features that work well together. In fact, now I understand why smaller digital cameras without IS typically only include 3 or 4x. The slightest hand movement is greatly exaggerated at high magnification. IS compensates for this movement. The S3 provides four options for IS: 1) continuous (constantly stabilizes preview which uses more power); 2) shoot only (stabilizes image when shutter button is pressed); 3) panning (stabilizes vertical movement only for tracking horizontally moving cars, race horses, bikers or runners); 4) off (stabilization is not necessary for tripod).
The 12X optical zoom can optionally be supplemented by 4X digital, making it possible to achieve as much as 48X zoom. A ring around the shutter button rotates clockwise to enlarge and vise versa. This brings up a slider in the viewfinder. If digital is activated, the white slider goes to a point and stops at 12X. Press it again and the slider is appended with blue as the digital zoom is progressively applied. I uploaded a picture of a bird in a a 16 foot palm tree with 21x zoom.
Panorama assist is yet another outstanding feature. As each photo is clicked, a portion slides over in preview, making it easier to align the next. Software is included to stitch the pieces together or you can use Photoshop's Photomerge under the Automate menu.
Image bracketin
Is it possible for a camera to make an amateur photographer better? Apparently this is Canon's goal with the S3. It provides easy access to controls that compensate for common difficult shooting scenarios. Most point-and-shoot (P+S) cameras have few buttons - relying instead on hidden menu driven options. While this may make the camera appear less intimidating initially, locating the correct setting while attempting to frame and photograph action or bad lighting subjects is frustrating. As a result, many features go unused.
By way of comparison, the S3 has at least ten more buttons than my discontinued P+S MINOLTA Dimage G500 (5MP 3x optical zoom). And many of the buttons on the CANON are multifunction depending on whether you are shooting in one of several modes, playing back stills, or movies - providing dozens of useful options.
The CANON S3 has a button for instant access to movie recording (with on-screen options for 320x240 15/30/60 fps or 640x480 15/30 fps) up to 1GB or one hour per clip. Stereo sound and zoom functions accompany movies. There are dedicated buttons for ISO, sound recording, flash, continuous shooting, macro, manual focus, display, and a customized shortcut. The mode dial on top of the camera includes settings for many typical situations such as portrait, landscape, sports, nighttime, and panoramic. There is also an AUTO[MATIC] mode. But if all your shots remain in this setting, you might as well use a P+S model.
The key benefit of the many buttons and dials on the S3 is quick access to a wide variety of useful features without taking your eye off the subject. The FUNC[TION] button can present a tremendous amount of pertinent information while the focused image is visible. Everything from remaining number of pictures and image quality to white balance and ISO feedback neatly border the subject. The DISP[LAY] button activates grids and histogram, switches between LCD and viewfinder, or reduces the amount of on-screen information. Either screen is equally informative and useful for making adjustments. The MENU button differs in that it brings up infrequently used options that temporarily replace the focused subject.
Elaborating a bit further on the impressive display of the CANON S3, it does a good job of simulating selected options. Punch up greens, blues, reds, all colors, neutralize, lighten or darken skin tones, photograph b+w or sepia and see the results before snapping the picture. It is possible to obtain untainted color even with mixed indoor lighting. In addition to AWB (automatic white balance) there are seven other settings accessed from the FUNC[TION] button. The last is custom metering. Just point at a white object in the room and press the SET button. No more green or orange casts on indoor photos!
Another common lighting problem occurs when a subject stands in front of a bright background or if frontal light from the sun washes out the highlights on faces. After a quick tap of the FUNC[TION] button, the first option in the upper left corner is exposure compensation. Use the omni selector left arrow to darken the foreground or right arrow to lighten it. If indoors or a relatively short distance away, you might also enable the flash. (For those with traditional photography background, there are also options for aperture priority or shutter speed priority on the mode dial.)
Despite efforts to write a short review, there is still much more to talk about. Image stabilization (IS) and the 12X optical zoom are significant features that work well together. In fact, now I understand why smaller digital cameras without IS typically only include 3 or 4x. The slightest hand movement is greatly exaggerated at high magnification. IS compensates for this movement. The S3 provides four options for IS: 1) continuous (constantly stabilizes preview which uses more power); 2) shoot only (stabilizes image when shutter button is pressed); 3) panning (stabilizes vertical movement only for tracking horizontally moving cars, race horses, bikers or runners); 4) off (stabilization is not necessary for tripod).
The 12X optical zoom can optionally be supplemented by 4X digital, making it possible to achieve as much as 48X zoom. A ring around the shutter button rotates clockwise to enlarge and vise versa. This brings up a slider in the viewfinder. If digital is activated, the white slider goes to a point and stops at 12X. Press it again and the slider is appended with blue as the digital zoom is progressively applied. I uploaded a picture of a bird in a a 16 foot palm tree with 21x zoom.
Panorama assist is yet another outstanding feature. As each photo is clicked, a portion slides over in preview, making it easier to align the next. Software is included to stitch the pieces together or you can use Photoshop's Photomerge under the Automate menu.
Image bracketin
Скроменый эксперт
17.09.2008
6/10
Оценка пользователя
Плохо
I got this camera in February of this year so I've been using it for about six months. My other camera is a Canon EOS Rebel 35mm SLR which I've had for years and love. The film processing was getting expensive though, so I decided to try a digital. I did have a Kodak digital camera several years ago but it was past it's usefulness and was taking horrible pictures. I was not able to afford a new digital SLR but wanted more than a point-and-shoot. When I found this camera I thought it would be a great compromise and the price was really reasonable.
Having had an SLR I did not think it would take too long to get used to this camera. I was wrong. Six months into it and simple things like focusing are still frustrating me. I read another review which mentioned this; I have missed so many shots because this camera cannot decide what to focus on.
For example, recently I had a perfect shot of a bee on a flower- I swear he was posing for me- and for almost 5 full minutes (it was a patient bee)I tried every conceievable picture mode and every time the camera would just not be able to focus the way I wanted it to. It would focus for a second and then when I clicked to take the shot it would blur out of focus. Even in Macro mode I was unable to get a decent picture. Every shot is fuzzy or overexposed. The same goes for any indoor pictures I take. I've also noticed that any movies I try making indoors always have a blue hue which I find odd.
My frustration may partially be due to my unwillingness to read through the entire manual (I have skimmed). However, in my defense, I am not completely inexperienced with cameras and one would think that unless this was a hightly specialized professional camera (which it is not!) anyone familiar with SLR cameras should be able to figure it out fairly easily.
If I do eventually realize that my frustration is due to something I'm doing wrong, I will update my review. As it stands I'm increasingly frustrated with this camera and beginning to regret my decision to buy it.
Having had an SLR I did not think it would take too long to get used to this camera. I was wrong. Six months into it and simple things like focusing are still frustrating me. I read another review which mentioned this; I have missed so many shots because this camera cannot decide what to focus on.
For example, recently I had a perfect shot of a bee on a flower- I swear he was posing for me- and for almost 5 full minutes (it was a patient bee)I tried every conceievable picture mode and every time the camera would just not be able to focus the way I wanted it to. It would focus for a second and then when I clicked to take the shot it would blur out of focus. Even in Macro mode I was unable to get a decent picture. Every shot is fuzzy or overexposed. The same goes for any indoor pictures I take. I've also noticed that any movies I try making indoors always have a blue hue which I find odd.
My frustration may partially be due to my unwillingness to read through the entire manual (I have skimmed). However, in my defense, I am not completely inexperienced with cameras and one would think that unless this was a hightly specialized professional camera (which it is not!) anyone familiar with SLR cameras should be able to figure it out fairly easily.
If I do eventually realize that my frustration is due to something I'm doing wrong, I will update my review. As it stands I'm increasingly frustrated with this camera and beginning to regret my decision to buy it.
Скроменый эксперт
21.08.2006
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
I bought the S3 as a replacement for my PowerShot S10 which has served me amazingly well since I purchased it. My old S10 is only a 2.1MP (megapixel) camera but that suited me just fine, taking tens of thousands of pictures over the past six years that I owned it. My only complaint about the S10 is a common one amongst digital cameras: a crappy 2x optical zoom. The S3's 12x optical zoom was its main selling point for me, and having the PowerShot name behind it sealed the deal.
This camera does FAR more than I'll ever use so I'll instead focus (no pun intended) on the things that I particularly like about the camera, from a point-and-shoot perspective. Some of this info may be old hat to the point-and-shoot digital camera crowd, but remember that I'm coming off a six year old camera that doesn't have half as many features. :)
Although the camera is not an SLR camera, it behaves like one. There's an LCD panel on the back of the camera for lining up your shots, of course, and there's also a viewfinder. Looking through the viewfinder reveals another LCD screen that shows you what the camera's CCD is showing. In effect this gives you the benefit of an SLR camera without the extra cost. This forced me to change my shooting style; when I took close-up shots through the (straight-through) viewfinder on my S10 I had to purposefully aim the camera slightly higher in order to properly frame the shot. With the S3 I don't have this bother any more.
The screen (both the LCD screen and the one in the viewfinder) displays an astonishing amount of information, most of which I ignore. Two very helpful bits of info: There's a white rectangle in the center which defines the balance point of your shot, and more interestingly, a black grid that really helps you make sure your images are straight. (Speaking of straightness, the camera also has an automatic sensor to determine if you're taking portrait or landscape shots. When you download the pictures into your computer, they're pre-rotated correctly. Very handy. (PS: It interfaces with a standard mini USB cable, and it works flawlessly with Apple's iPhoto software.)
If you're taking a picture and you need a flash, the camera will alert you to this fact which is great. Not so great is the fact that it won't alert you until you actually go to take the picture. Considering that you need to manually raise the flash when it's needed, this has the potential for making you lose some candid shots. Tip: Keep the flash raised at all times, and set the flash for "automatic" so it fires when needed.
The image stabilization feature is downright awesome. I actually had to make a conscious effort to get the camera to take a blurry picture with stabilization enabled. One-handed overhead shots are as clear as a tripod shot.
As I said, I bought the camera for the zoom and it doesn't disappoint. The zoom ring is variable in speed (the further you move it, the faster the zoom moves). The image stabilization feature really comes into play at full zoom. I was able to take a not-blurry photo of a news helicopter hovering overhead, with the camera at full optical zoom and without a tripod.
The camera takes four AA batteries; Canon provides you with a set in the box. That will be good for about 100 shots, depending on how much you use the flash. Rechargeable batteries are a must; a decent set of rechargeables (2000mAh or greater) will give you about 500 shots. Well worth the extra money. However, I do like that it will take standard AA's in a pinch; my old S10 took a proprietary rechargeable battery and I occasionally found myself with a set of used-up rechargeables when a photo opportunity arose.
I have but two complaints about the PowerShot S3 IS. Complaint #1 is the body of the camera is constructed of plastic. My old S10 was metal bodied and survived several trips to the concrete floor with only superficial damage. I daresay a similar incident with the S3 will result in a shattered body. Complaint #2 is Canon's incredibly lame inclusion of a puny 16MB SD memory card. At full quality and full resolution, you might get 4-5 pictures onto the card before it fills up. Canon is just adding to the nation's landfills with these things. The first purchase anyone will make is a larger card (I bought two 2GB cards) and Canon's cards are more expensive (sometimes significantly more expensive) than the competition. The inclusion of a 16MB card is either a joke or an insult; at the very least Canon should have included a 128MB card.
This camera does FAR more than I'll ever use so I'll instead focus (no pun intended) on the things that I particularly like about the camera, from a point-and-shoot perspective. Some of this info may be old hat to the point-and-shoot digital camera crowd, but remember that I'm coming off a six year old camera that doesn't have half as many features. :)
Although the camera is not an SLR camera, it behaves like one. There's an LCD panel on the back of the camera for lining up your shots, of course, and there's also a viewfinder. Looking through the viewfinder reveals another LCD screen that shows you what the camera's CCD is showing. In effect this gives you the benefit of an SLR camera without the extra cost. This forced me to change my shooting style; when I took close-up shots through the (straight-through) viewfinder on my S10 I had to purposefully aim the camera slightly higher in order to properly frame the shot. With the S3 I don't have this bother any more.
The screen (both the LCD screen and the one in the viewfinder) displays an astonishing amount of information, most of which I ignore. Two very helpful bits of info: There's a white rectangle in the center which defines the balance point of your shot, and more interestingly, a black grid that really helps you make sure your images are straight. (Speaking of straightness, the camera also has an automatic sensor to determine if you're taking portrait or landscape shots. When you download the pictures into your computer, they're pre-rotated correctly. Very handy. (PS: It interfaces with a standard mini USB cable, and it works flawlessly with Apple's iPhoto software.)
If you're taking a picture and you need a flash, the camera will alert you to this fact which is great. Not so great is the fact that it won't alert you until you actually go to take the picture. Considering that you need to manually raise the flash when it's needed, this has the potential for making you lose some candid shots. Tip: Keep the flash raised at all times, and set the flash for "automatic" so it fires when needed.
The image stabilization feature is downright awesome. I actually had to make a conscious effort to get the camera to take a blurry picture with stabilization enabled. One-handed overhead shots are as clear as a tripod shot.
As I said, I bought the camera for the zoom and it doesn't disappoint. The zoom ring is variable in speed (the further you move it, the faster the zoom moves). The image stabilization feature really comes into play at full zoom. I was able to take a not-blurry photo of a news helicopter hovering overhead, with the camera at full optical zoom and without a tripod.
The camera takes four AA batteries; Canon provides you with a set in the box. That will be good for about 100 shots, depending on how much you use the flash. Rechargeable batteries are a must; a decent set of rechargeables (2000mAh or greater) will give you about 500 shots. Well worth the extra money. However, I do like that it will take standard AA's in a pinch; my old S10 took a proprietary rechargeable battery and I occasionally found myself with a set of used-up rechargeables when a photo opportunity arose.
I have but two complaints about the PowerShot S3 IS. Complaint #1 is the body of the camera is constructed of plastic. My old S10 was metal bodied and survived several trips to the concrete floor with only superficial damage. I daresay a similar incident with the S3 will result in a shattered body. Complaint #2 is Canon's incredibly lame inclusion of a puny 16MB SD memory card. At full quality and full resolution, you might get 4-5 pictures onto the card before it fills up. Canon is just adding to the nation's landfills with these things. The first purchase anyone will make is a larger card (I bought two 2GB cards) and Canon's cards are more expensive (sometimes significantly more expensive) than the competition. The inclusion of a 16MB card is either a joke or an insult; at the very least Canon should have included a 128MB card.
Скроменый эксперт
08.02.2009
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
This camera is great. Since I was using an older Kodak Easyshare to take motocross pictures with, all I can say is I'm glad I have this camera now. The 12x zoom really helps me get closer to the rider. This camera has some nice built in features as well. I like the fact that I can change the picture size via the camera functions. Instead of having to upload the picture then put it in photoshop and resize it there. The color feature is really nice as well. I now take my pictures in vivid color. What a difference it makes. It's as if a professional photographer with a high dollar camera is taking my pictures for me. I mainly take motocross pictures at the tracks and have to deal with a lot of sunlight and dust. I purchased the canon lens adapter with hood and got a UV protector filter to protect the camera lens from dust. The lens hood combined with the uv filter does a nice job of blocking out most of the sunlight to give me nice sharp colorful picture. Taking action pictures is a tough business because motocross riders are passing you at speeds of 30 - 60 mph and this camera does a great job of capturing them. I can't wait to get the zoom lens, then I'll have a few more options. All in all this is a great camera to step into after using a lower line camera.
Скроменый эксперт
02.06.2009
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
I got this S3 for my girlfriend as it was slightly used at £120.
The camera is a lovely thing and takes impressive pics without much fiddling around.
But I use a Panasonic Lumix FZ 18, and after using both there is really no contest. The Lumix is awesome, while the images from the Cannon are rich and vibrant, the accuracy of the Licea lens on the Lumix takes it into another league.
I like the Cannon a lot but if I'd payed full new price I'd be a lot less impressed.
When I got the FZ I actually went to buy a Nikon DSLR, being a life time Nikon SLR user. So I tried all the Nikons, all the Cannons, Sonys, heck even the Fuji etc.
I came home with the FZ, a LARGE pocket full of spare cash, and a camera system that fits in a small shoulder bag rather than several large alloy cases.
The camera is a lovely thing and takes impressive pics without much fiddling around.
But I use a Panasonic Lumix FZ 18, and after using both there is really no contest. The Lumix is awesome, while the images from the Cannon are rich and vibrant, the accuracy of the Licea lens on the Lumix takes it into another league.
I like the Cannon a lot but if I'd payed full new price I'd be a lot less impressed.
When I got the FZ I actually went to buy a Nikon DSLR, being a life time Nikon SLR user. So I tried all the Nikons, all the Cannons, Sonys, heck even the Fuji etc.
I came home with the FZ, a LARGE pocket full of spare cash, and a camera system that fits in a small shoulder bag rather than several large alloy cases.
Скроменый эксперт
25.05.2007
8/10
Оценка пользователя
Хорошо
Pluses
------
-This is a very good camera for those looking for one which is very high on features. Features are possibly the best what you can get at this price.
-The Handling, operation, built quality is perhaps the best I've seen in a non-pro camera.
-Lots of very useful & innovative features like Voice-tags for stills, Jumping to images by various criteria, Slideshow set-up,direct connection to TV
-Viewfinder is the best I've seen
-Very powerful Image Stabilization, very good lens quality (very good zoom: 12X optical),
-lots of manual controls and modes,
-very powerful flash,
-very inteliigent software,
-Foldable LCD.
Limitations (My observations only.. I'm not yet fully skilled with usage)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Picture Quality is not the best, esp in case of Shooting at Night. Its ISO 400 & ISO 800 modes are QUITE NOISY. It may be my shooting setting problem, but compared to even an entry-level Sony point & shoot camera, the image quality is not far better. The real comparison comes when viewing the images on a Workstation. Even compared to Panasonic Lumix TZ1 (all the settings in Auto), Panasonic Lumix TZ1 gave a better image quality for the same image at night. I again say, this MAY BE due to settings problem, but i can definitely say, the picture quality is not as great as i had expected under the settings that can be easily done & understood by a not-a-pro photographer (Shot in Auto and Av Modes)
-It's HEAVY (weight goes to 500 gms inc batteries) so it's a pain if you have to carry it for long
-Shoot/Play dial switch seems to be not so strongly built
-LCD image quality is not that rich. It's also smaller than it should have been (but it is acceptable given the fact it can be rotated by 180 degrees)
-Image stabilization doesn't work in non-daylight condition with flash off (but works brilliantly in daylight or with flash-on)
-Drains 4 batteries. I'm using newly purchased Uniross 2500 mAH Ni-MH batteries which last for roughly 300 shots (with around 75-100 shots taken with flash) on a full recharge
--The camera doesn't come with Rechargeable Ni-MH batteries or charger, contrary to most other canon cameras. Neither does it include a pouch. So be ready to spend at least 40-50 extra bucks on these things plus a high capacity Memory Card. But in India, this does ship with batteries & charger.
-Overall Not very easy to use for a novice, but very satisfying for an advanced user. You need to spend decent amount of time going through the manual for using this camera effectively
-----------------------OVERALL-----------------------
This is one of the best semi-professional camera one can look for in terms of features, handling, build-quality, but this should be used by an advanced user (otherwise it may be an overkill for a novice and a novice may get confused and overwhelmed by the features and operation). Overall I'm very happy with the camera, but not too happy with its low-light shooting performance (picture clarity when observed on a workstation). Lot of pixel noise in ISO 400 & beyond (even ISO 200).
------
-This is a very good camera for those looking for one which is very high on features. Features are possibly the best what you can get at this price.
-The Handling, operation, built quality is perhaps the best I've seen in a non-pro camera.
-Lots of very useful & innovative features like Voice-tags for stills, Jumping to images by various criteria, Slideshow set-up,direct connection to TV
-Viewfinder is the best I've seen
-Very powerful Image Stabilization, very good lens quality (very good zoom: 12X optical),
-lots of manual controls and modes,
-very powerful flash,
-very inteliigent software,
-Foldable LCD.
Limitations (My observations only.. I'm not yet fully skilled with usage)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Picture Quality is not the best, esp in case of Shooting at Night. Its ISO 400 & ISO 800 modes are QUITE NOISY. It may be my shooting setting problem, but compared to even an entry-level Sony point & shoot camera, the image quality is not far better. The real comparison comes when viewing the images on a Workstation. Even compared to Panasonic Lumix TZ1 (all the settings in Auto), Panasonic Lumix TZ1 gave a better image quality for the same image at night. I again say, this MAY BE due to settings problem, but i can definitely say, the picture quality is not as great as i had expected under the settings that can be easily done & understood by a not-a-pro photographer (Shot in Auto and Av Modes)
-It's HEAVY (weight goes to 500 gms inc batteries) so it's a pain if you have to carry it for long
-Shoot/Play dial switch seems to be not so strongly built
-LCD image quality is not that rich. It's also smaller than it should have been (but it is acceptable given the fact it can be rotated by 180 degrees)
-Image stabilization doesn't work in non-daylight condition with flash off (but works brilliantly in daylight or with flash-on)
-Drains 4 batteries. I'm using newly purchased Uniross 2500 mAH Ni-MH batteries which last for roughly 300 shots (with around 75-100 shots taken with flash) on a full recharge
--The camera doesn't come with Rechargeable Ni-MH batteries or charger, contrary to most other canon cameras. Neither does it include a pouch. So be ready to spend at least 40-50 extra bucks on these things plus a high capacity Memory Card. But in India, this does ship with batteries & charger.
-Overall Not very easy to use for a novice, but very satisfying for an advanced user. You need to spend decent amount of time going through the manual for using this camera effectively
-----------------------OVERALL-----------------------
This is one of the best semi-professional camera one can look for in terms of features, handling, build-quality, but this should be used by an advanced user (otherwise it may be an overkill for a novice and a novice may get confused and overwhelmed by the features and operation). Overall I'm very happy with the camera, but not too happy with its low-light shooting performance (picture clarity when observed on a workstation). Lot of pixel noise in ISO 400 & beyond (even ISO 200).
Скроменый эксперт
26.06.2009
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
A couple years ago I decided to upgrade my camera and was torn between the Canon S3IS or a Nikon D40. I decided to go with this one because of the movie mode. I have been tremendously happy with this camera. It really does a lot for the price. Although I got mine for about $350 two years ago so I'm not sure where this $600 price is coming from. I highly recommend it and recommend taking an hour or two to read through the camera's manual and play around once you get it to see what it can all do. A lot of my earlier shots that didn't turn out where mostly my fault because I didn't know how to adjust to the right settings to counteract my problems.
Скроменый эксперт
17.07.2007
6/10
Оценка пользователя
Плохо
After giving up a 30-year hobby for a while, I sold all my film stuff and got a Canon A95 to check out digital photography. When the A95 was stolen, I got an A620. This got me back into photography enough that I bought a Pentax DSLR and a bunch of lenses. As that bag started to get quite heavy and bulky, I started pooping around with the A620 again for those times I wanted to travel light or casual (such at a nephew's wedding where I was not, thankfully, "the" photographer.) However, the A620, nice as it was, is a bit limiting on the focal length - not particularly wide, and not really telephoto, either. So, I decided to sell the A620 and get the S3, mainly for the longer focal length for daylight people shots.
I opted not to get the S5 as I would not be using an external flash, the extra megapixels are not needed, and the other minor differences did not justify the additional $200 in cost.
So, am I better off than before? Maybe. I have a nice stabilized zoom, and a better movie mode that I'm sure I will put to use on occasion. I have a faster continuous shooting mode as well. And the live histogram is a great feature, too.
If that was the end of it I would give it 4 or 5 stars. However, with all the good stuff, there are a couple things that are a real problem.
First is the ISO button on the back. This is very easy to push by accident (perhaps even with my nose?) and if you don't frequently check the tiny ISO setting in the viewfinder (if you are shooting that way), you run the risk of some unusable, grainy high-ISO shots :-(
Second, a good/bad thing is the "S" button on the back. This is a "shortcut" button that can be set to one of a few functions, such as focus lock, white balance, movie frame rate, etc. However, it comes set to adjust the image size. So, much like the ISO button, until you switch the setting you'll risk shooting a bunch of small images before you realize the error. I have subsequently changed the button to simply turn off the display.
The third issue is the poor high-ISO performance. At 80 or 100 the image is smooth and nice. At 200 there is a touch of grain but definitely acceptable. At 400 you are going to have noticeable grain, and you should only use 800 for documentation - such as showing the neighbor's car in your parking space, or similar non-artistic images (unless you are using grain as the effect).
So, essentially a great camera has some serious button problems. Too bad the ISO is not just another programmable shortcut button. I'm thinking of making a little cover over it - how silly is that? (Edit - I've stuck some 1/4 inch rubber circles right next to the button. They've nearly eliminated accidental button pushes, though I still check the setting frequently.)
Oh, the EVF is pretty grainy compared to an optical viewfinder. And the LCD, like most, is a pain in sunlight, even in the "bright" setting.
If you don't need the fancy stereo-sound movies or a rotating LCD, there may be better alternatives.
I opted not to get the S5 as I would not be using an external flash, the extra megapixels are not needed, and the other minor differences did not justify the additional $200 in cost.
So, am I better off than before? Maybe. I have a nice stabilized zoom, and a better movie mode that I'm sure I will put to use on occasion. I have a faster continuous shooting mode as well. And the live histogram is a great feature, too.
If that was the end of it I would give it 4 or 5 stars. However, with all the good stuff, there are a couple things that are a real problem.
First is the ISO button on the back. This is very easy to push by accident (perhaps even with my nose?) and if you don't frequently check the tiny ISO setting in the viewfinder (if you are shooting that way), you run the risk of some unusable, grainy high-ISO shots :-(
Second, a good/bad thing is the "S" button on the back. This is a "shortcut" button that can be set to one of a few functions, such as focus lock, white balance, movie frame rate, etc. However, it comes set to adjust the image size. So, much like the ISO button, until you switch the setting you'll risk shooting a bunch of small images before you realize the error. I have subsequently changed the button to simply turn off the display.
The third issue is the poor high-ISO performance. At 80 or 100 the image is smooth and nice. At 200 there is a touch of grain but definitely acceptable. At 400 you are going to have noticeable grain, and you should only use 800 for documentation - such as showing the neighbor's car in your parking space, or similar non-artistic images (unless you are using grain as the effect).
So, essentially a great camera has some serious button problems. Too bad the ISO is not just another programmable shortcut button. I'm thinking of making a little cover over it - how silly is that? (Edit - I've stuck some 1/4 inch rubber circles right next to the button. They've nearly eliminated accidental button pushes, though I still check the setting frequently.)
Oh, the EVF is pretty grainy compared to an optical viewfinder. And the LCD, like most, is a pain in sunlight, even in the "bright" setting.
If you don't need the fancy stereo-sound movies or a rotating LCD, there may be better alternatives.
Скроменый эксперт
23.11.2007
2/10
Оценка пользователя
Ужасно
I upgraded to this camera from a previous Canon model. When this camera is operational, it allows you to take some great photos. The problem is that after a month or so of having the camera, memory card errors would occur making the camera useless until another card was put in (or the current card reformatted in the camera). This has caused a number of priceless shots to be lost. There is a way to recover most of the images, if you have a computer, a SD card reader and the correct software, but that doesn't do much good if you are away from home. I have tried several cards of varying capacities, speeds and manufacturers (including ones from canon) and the errors still occur. The errors appear random. We have sent the camera in to canon 2 times for repair, we format the cards before we use them each time and the camera still is giving the errors. At this point canon is saying that it is not an issue with the camera but with the memory cards...all of them. This is a shame because I have thrown a bit of business in Canon's direction and think that they have some of the best camera designs.
While I will likely never buy another Canon again, and I can not recommend this camera to others, I know people who have had no problems with their cameras. This problem may be caused by a defect in a certain batch of cameras, or in certain models. I suggest that before purchasing the you search specifically for errors that occur with the camera you are thinking of purchasing. I have discovered that there are several canon cameras that have had similar issues and that there are a few class action law suites against Canon for failure to address camera problems.
The bottom line is that when the camera works, it works well, but when it doesn't work Canon isn't very helpful in resolving the problem. The customer pays the shipping costs to the canon repair facility, which gets expensive fast. The people at Canon are currently not taking responsibility for the problem. So if your camera fails get ready to fight it out with Canon. If your camera doesn't fail, you'll enjoy the photos the camera produces.
UPADATE
I have discovered that my camera only seems to operate with select cards. I have been using SanDisk Extreme III 2GB cards for the past month, and I have taken well over 1000 photos with no memory card error. I still find it unacceptable that this camera only contains coding in the firmware to properly identify/work with a narrow range of cards. However, I am glad to find that there is at least one card the will work correctly with the camera
While I will likely never buy another Canon again, and I can not recommend this camera to others, I know people who have had no problems with their cameras. This problem may be caused by a defect in a certain batch of cameras, or in certain models. I suggest that before purchasing the you search specifically for errors that occur with the camera you are thinking of purchasing. I have discovered that there are several canon cameras that have had similar issues and that there are a few class action law suites against Canon for failure to address camera problems.
The bottom line is that when the camera works, it works well, but when it doesn't work Canon isn't very helpful in resolving the problem. The customer pays the shipping costs to the canon repair facility, which gets expensive fast. The people at Canon are currently not taking responsibility for the problem. So if your camera fails get ready to fight it out with Canon. If your camera doesn't fail, you'll enjoy the photos the camera produces.
UPADATE
I have discovered that my camera only seems to operate with select cards. I have been using SanDisk Extreme III 2GB cards for the past month, and I have taken well over 1000 photos with no memory card error. I still find it unacceptable that this camera only contains coding in the firmware to properly identify/work with a narrow range of cards. However, I am glad to find that there is at least one card the will work correctly with the camera
Скроменый эксперт
10.07.2009
2/10
Оценка пользователя
Ужасно
This camera was a Christmas present. For three years & across 7 national parks, I have tried to use it. But the low-resolution viewfinder and underpowered LCD backlight make it just about impossible. If youre under a tree or its gloomy, its ok. If its gorgeous and sunny, youre literally shooting blind. Too bad since image quality is good -- but with useless LCD and viewfinder, this camera is a huge disappointment. And its a small thing but the lense cover is constantly falling off. Should have been a great camera -- but fatally flawed.
Скроменый эксперт
09.11.2007
8/10
Оценка пользователя
Хорошо
The Canon S3 is a very capable camera, but there is one major caveat: You should NOT use the AUTO mode when shooting under dim light. This is beacuse the camera may automatically selects the highest 'film speed' of ISO=800. This will produce extremely noisy, grainy, or pixelated images. The same problem occurs in Sports mode as well.
To avoid this problem, you should manually set ISO=200 or lower, then shoot in 'P' (Programmed mode) instead. Of course, now the exposure time is increased by 4x, so camera shake may be a problem even with image stabilization.
If image quality under low light condition is critical to you, your best choice is to upgrade to a digital SLR.
[The following section is for geeks only]:
In order to explain the root cause of noisy images at high ISO, I have to tell you a secret: the so called 'film speed' for digital camera is a big scam. Unlike film camera world (where a film with higher ISO number means it has higher light sensitivity), the digital camera's optical sensor has a fixed sensitiviity. The signal amplitude from each pixel is proportional to the integral of light intensity and exposure time. To simulate a higher 'film speed' (from 200 to 400, for example), a digital camera simply reduces the exposure time by half (which means the signal amplitude from sensor is reduced by half), then multiply the signal by 2x afterwards. However, noises from the sensor is also multiplied by 2x in this process. That is why images always become 'noisier' at higher ISO number.
The problem with noisy images is made worse by the "mega-pixel arms race", where camera makers continue to cram more pixels onto the same sensor area. The old S1 has 3.2 mega-pixel on its 10mm by 7.5mm sensor. The new S3 has 6MP in the same area. So the amount of light falling on each S5 pixel is only 50% that for the S1. The S1 can produce reasonably noise-free images at ISO=200. For the S3 sensor to produce the same signal strength, it needs 2X longer exposure time, which means ISO=100. That is why when you shoot the S3 at ISO=800, the noise problem is 8X worse compared to shooting the S1 at ISO=200.
The only reliable way to improve signal-to-noise ratio is to increase sensor area. Professional DSLR typically have full-frame sensors (36x24mm, or 10x larger than the sensor in S3). Those can operate up to ISO=1600 or even 3200 and still produce almost noise-free images. Pro-sumer DSLR such as the Rebel XT have samller APS-C sensor (22.5x15mm, or 4x larger than the sensor in S3). So those can only operate satisfactorily up to ISO=800.
To avoid this problem, you should manually set ISO=200 or lower, then shoot in 'P' (Programmed mode) instead. Of course, now the exposure time is increased by 4x, so camera shake may be a problem even with image stabilization.
If image quality under low light condition is critical to you, your best choice is to upgrade to a digital SLR.
[The following section is for geeks only]:
In order to explain the root cause of noisy images at high ISO, I have to tell you a secret: the so called 'film speed' for digital camera is a big scam. Unlike film camera world (where a film with higher ISO number means it has higher light sensitivity), the digital camera's optical sensor has a fixed sensitiviity. The signal amplitude from each pixel is proportional to the integral of light intensity and exposure time. To simulate a higher 'film speed' (from 200 to 400, for example), a digital camera simply reduces the exposure time by half (which means the signal amplitude from sensor is reduced by half), then multiply the signal by 2x afterwards. However, noises from the sensor is also multiplied by 2x in this process. That is why images always become 'noisier' at higher ISO number.
The problem with noisy images is made worse by the "mega-pixel arms race", where camera makers continue to cram more pixels onto the same sensor area. The old S1 has 3.2 mega-pixel on its 10mm by 7.5mm sensor. The new S3 has 6MP in the same area. So the amount of light falling on each S5 pixel is only 50% that for the S1. The S1 can produce reasonably noise-free images at ISO=200. For the S3 sensor to produce the same signal strength, it needs 2X longer exposure time, which means ISO=100. That is why when you shoot the S3 at ISO=800, the noise problem is 8X worse compared to shooting the S1 at ISO=200.
The only reliable way to improve signal-to-noise ratio is to increase sensor area. Professional DSLR typically have full-frame sensors (36x24mm, or 10x larger than the sensor in S3). Those can operate up to ISO=1600 or even 3200 and still produce almost noise-free images. Pro-sumer DSLR such as the Rebel XT have samller APS-C sensor (22.5x15mm, or 4x larger than the sensor in S3). So those can only operate satisfactorily up to ISO=800.
Скроменый эксперт
05.02.2008
2/10
Оценка пользователя
Ужасно
I've owned several Canon point-and-shoots, and figured that the S3-IS would be a good next step up from my 3.2mp camera.
To be honest, I've been VERY disappointed with the image quality. The pictures are noisy, the images are always really soft, the auto-focus takes a long time to work - especially when zoomed in - and often times misses. There are significant artifacts when shooting against a flat sky, and the red and purple fringing is really bad.
What is the worst though is the general flatness of the pictures. I have to boost the contrast in post significantly on almost every photo. And if you have bright spots in the picture, they're usually blown out.
I've taken roughly 2,000 pictures with it, and, when I look at the pictures compared to my 3.2 mp camera... I can scarcely tell the difference! The color, contrast, and noise level are all better on the OLD camera!
Sure... it's easy to use, it has good features, it has lots of bells and whistles... but WHO CARES if the picture quality SUCKS?
I bought this camera specifically for the 12x zoom and for the image stabilization. I was hoping these two things would help with sports photography (particularly nighttime NASCAR races) and with birdwatching. But because the sensor is so small and requires so much light to get a decent picture, the camera is almost impossible to focus, even with the image stabilization. The old way... I had good pictures that were really out of focus. Now, I get crappy pictures that are slightly out of focus.
If I had it to do over, I would NOT buy this camera. I would strongly recommend trying it out first before spending money on it. There is a new version of this camera out (the S5), but, since the sensor is no bigger, I imagine the pictures won't be any better. There is some new image processing software, but my guess is that you'll just have 8 million flat, fuzzy, lifeless pixels instead of 6.
In case you can't tell, I am extremely disappointed with this camera. It really makes going out and taking pictures a chore. Hopefully, when Photoshop Elements 6 for the Mac comes out in March, I'll be able to revive the pictures I have and make this piece of junk work until I can afford something better.
To be honest, I've been VERY disappointed with the image quality. The pictures are noisy, the images are always really soft, the auto-focus takes a long time to work - especially when zoomed in - and often times misses. There are significant artifacts when shooting against a flat sky, and the red and purple fringing is really bad.
What is the worst though is the general flatness of the pictures. I have to boost the contrast in post significantly on almost every photo. And if you have bright spots in the picture, they're usually blown out.
I've taken roughly 2,000 pictures with it, and, when I look at the pictures compared to my 3.2 mp camera... I can scarcely tell the difference! The color, contrast, and noise level are all better on the OLD camera!
Sure... it's easy to use, it has good features, it has lots of bells and whistles... but WHO CARES if the picture quality SUCKS?
I bought this camera specifically for the 12x zoom and for the image stabilization. I was hoping these two things would help with sports photography (particularly nighttime NASCAR races) and with birdwatching. But because the sensor is so small and requires so much light to get a decent picture, the camera is almost impossible to focus, even with the image stabilization. The old way... I had good pictures that were really out of focus. Now, I get crappy pictures that are slightly out of focus.
If I had it to do over, I would NOT buy this camera. I would strongly recommend trying it out first before spending money on it. There is a new version of this camera out (the S5), but, since the sensor is no bigger, I imagine the pictures won't be any better. There is some new image processing software, but my guess is that you'll just have 8 million flat, fuzzy, lifeless pixels instead of 6.
In case you can't tell, I am extremely disappointed with this camera. It really makes going out and taking pictures a chore. Hopefully, when Photoshop Elements 6 for the Mac comes out in March, I'll be able to revive the pictures I have and make this piece of junk work until I can afford something better.
Скроменый эксперт
22.09.2006
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
I was an Olympus user... having had a C3040 and then a C5050. However, I always felt that the 3x zoom was way too short compared to what you get used with video cameras. On the other hand, when I dropped my old 35mm SLR camera and accesories because it was mostly sitting at home due to its enormous size and weight, I promised myself that I will never have a camera that I can't carry in my belt. Thus, the digital SLRs are of no advantage to me, no matter the image quality... I hope sometime in the future, some clever manufacturer will finally create the perfect SLR: one the size of a point and shoot camera but with optical SLR viewfinder and tiny interchangeable lenses, if one needed to. Not too difficult... but they still need to sell all those big lenses before they commit to a new micro SLR design.
So, while I wait, I found that an image stabilized long zoom camera was a perfect interim product. I chose the Canon IS S3 for its good reviews, size and overall Canon quality. Olympus, one of the first in bringing optical image stabilization years ago with the UZ 2000, had in the meantime abandoned it and all their long zoom series had no stabilization. A long zoom without stabilization is going to produce more frustration than excitement, especially when those lenses are hardly brighter than F/3.5 at the long end.
So, I was tempted by the IS S3, though I bought it just after it came in the market in May, so I paid more than $100 than today's price. This is the cost of buying oven-warm products. I knew it and I assume it. However, I must say that I am really happy with the camera. I am still learning how to take advantage of all the features it has, while you can be happy most of the time with just the auto point and shoot mode. I admit that the image noise is a bit higher than my old C5050, at same ISO values, something I expected from a camera with such a small sensor. But the advantage of the 12x zoom compensates more than enough.
To carry this camera you need to get the Canon pouch (PSC-75). It is the only one that tightly fits, and I really tried two dozens or more of the generic ones. It just fits the camera (and its strap if you use it on your belt) and looks very much like the old 35mm SLR cases, that you can just leave hanging from the camera while in use if it is not in your belt. If you take extra batteries, put them in your pocket... though for one day shooting you don't need them.
Image quality is excellent for this type of camera. I uploaded some images that shows it, plus an example of the My Colors mode wich is a nice addition from Canon: it is like having Photoshop in camera... but you don't need to go to college to use it. And for the zoom, an image of the moon with a 1.7x Olympus converter shot handheld looks terrific! 1/160s at 730mm I never imagined I could. (check it in uploaded pics).
Some people complain about the flash not popping up automagically. I love it! Now I don't even need to look for the flash sign in the display. When I want flash, I just pop it up. If I want to make sure it will stay off, fold it down. Just keep the flash setting to forced.
The macro is tricky to use. When using the full zoom, you can focus a field of view of about 8cm wide from a distance of 1 meter. Not bad if you want to stay away from your subject. But to get real macro, you have to get very, very close... The zoom has to be in wide, and at 10cm from the lens you get around 6cm wide, at 5cm it is 4cm wide, and at 0cm (yes, you can focus on something touching the lens surface) you get 2.5cm wide.. enough to duplicate and old 35mm slide.
Well, I am not talking about all the features that have been described in detail by so many people. I just want to say that I miss the flash hot shoe and low noise of my C5050. In return I get a great stabilized zoom and really fast reaction camera. I still keep the C5050 for my underwater shooting when diving.
So, while I wait, I found that an image stabilized long zoom camera was a perfect interim product. I chose the Canon IS S3 for its good reviews, size and overall Canon quality. Olympus, one of the first in bringing optical image stabilization years ago with the UZ 2000, had in the meantime abandoned it and all their long zoom series had no stabilization. A long zoom without stabilization is going to produce more frustration than excitement, especially when those lenses are hardly brighter than F/3.5 at the long end.
So, I was tempted by the IS S3, though I bought it just after it came in the market in May, so I paid more than $100 than today's price. This is the cost of buying oven-warm products. I knew it and I assume it. However, I must say that I am really happy with the camera. I am still learning how to take advantage of all the features it has, while you can be happy most of the time with just the auto point and shoot mode. I admit that the image noise is a bit higher than my old C5050, at same ISO values, something I expected from a camera with such a small sensor. But the advantage of the 12x zoom compensates more than enough.
To carry this camera you need to get the Canon pouch (PSC-75). It is the only one that tightly fits, and I really tried two dozens or more of the generic ones. It just fits the camera (and its strap if you use it on your belt) and looks very much like the old 35mm SLR cases, that you can just leave hanging from the camera while in use if it is not in your belt. If you take extra batteries, put them in your pocket... though for one day shooting you don't need them.
Image quality is excellent for this type of camera. I uploaded some images that shows it, plus an example of the My Colors mode wich is a nice addition from Canon: it is like having Photoshop in camera... but you don't need to go to college to use it. And for the zoom, an image of the moon with a 1.7x Olympus converter shot handheld looks terrific! 1/160s at 730mm I never imagined I could. (check it in uploaded pics).
Some people complain about the flash not popping up automagically. I love it! Now I don't even need to look for the flash sign in the display. When I want flash, I just pop it up. If I want to make sure it will stay off, fold it down. Just keep the flash setting to forced.
The macro is tricky to use. When using the full zoom, you can focus a field of view of about 8cm wide from a distance of 1 meter. Not bad if you want to stay away from your subject. But to get real macro, you have to get very, very close... The zoom has to be in wide, and at 10cm from the lens you get around 6cm wide, at 5cm it is 4cm wide, and at 0cm (yes, you can focus on something touching the lens surface) you get 2.5cm wide.. enough to duplicate and old 35mm slide.
Well, I am not talking about all the features that have been described in detail by so many people. I just want to say that I miss the flash hot shoe and low noise of my C5050. In return I get a great stabilized zoom and really fast reaction camera. I still keep the C5050 for my underwater shooting when diving.
Скроменый эксперт
25.09.2008
8/10
Оценка пользователя
Хорошо
I have had this camera for some time now and it has been a fantastic camera.
It is quite large and quite heavy which can be a bit of a pain. But on the whole it feels very well made, unlike some of the very plascticy camera that are available.
This camera comes with a huge zoom (with image stability to boot) and a reasonable size image quality. However, since I have purchased this 6MP now feels less than suitable, and a camera with a high resolution would give much better picture quality, especially if you like to enlarge your pictures.
There is a good range of features available to use which give you all the freedom you would like with taking your pictures. That being said, if you simply want a point and shoot camera, the automatic mode always takes a great shot. I am particular keen of the camera's macro capability. I have some great close ups of spiders, flowers and a couple of bees.
One of the other really nice features on this camera is the movable screen. This comes in very useful if you want to take shots above other people's head, but still know what you are focusing on. I also have a taken a few self portraits - just remember to look at the lense and not the screen when you are taking them.
All in all this is a great camera, but it is starting to get a little old not. The newer models of this camera should give you the same quality but with a bit more oomph.
It is quite large and quite heavy which can be a bit of a pain. But on the whole it feels very well made, unlike some of the very plascticy camera that are available.
This camera comes with a huge zoom (with image stability to boot) and a reasonable size image quality. However, since I have purchased this 6MP now feels less than suitable, and a camera with a high resolution would give much better picture quality, especially if you like to enlarge your pictures.
There is a good range of features available to use which give you all the freedom you would like with taking your pictures. That being said, if you simply want a point and shoot camera, the automatic mode always takes a great shot. I am particular keen of the camera's macro capability. I have some great close ups of spiders, flowers and a couple of bees.
One of the other really nice features on this camera is the movable screen. This comes in very useful if you want to take shots above other people's head, but still know what you are focusing on. I also have a taken a few self portraits - just remember to look at the lense and not the screen when you are taking them.
All in all this is a great camera, but it is starting to get a little old not. The newer models of this camera should give you the same quality but with a bit more oomph.
Скроменый эксперт
04.11.2006
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
My number one reason for purchasing a new camera was dead pixels on my G2. I've had it for four successful years, but got tired of photoshopping all my pics to conceal the dead spots. :( The second reason was size. The G2 is a great camera, but kind of a brick. And since I travel a lot, I was looking to reduce the bulk in my travel bags. However, I did not want to lose the full-feature manual controls of the G2.
Although I've read good reviews of Sony, Panasonic, Nikon, etc., I love the G2 photo quality, and so to make life easier and narrow the search, I decided right off the bat to stick with Canon.
I began my research in the PowerShot A series. My next requirement was the swivel LCD. This is such a useful tool for me, especially in crowds where you can raise up the camera and still frame a good shot. Also with kids, you can lower the camera to your knees and compose without bending over backwards or getting in the dirt.
With my primary requirements being swivel LCD, full-feature manual controls, and size constraints, it came down to the A640 and A630. I read all the reviews, and was simply trying to decide between the 10M with black housing (very slick!) or the 8M which is plenty for me and my 5x7 or 8x10 prints. I thought that noise would a problem for the 10M A640. However, the test shots on Digital Camera Resource [...] looked like the A640 slightly outperforms at 400 ISO. Maybe Canon is test-marketing a new noise reduction system in the camera?
In any case, I really liked the less conspicuous black, and decided on the A640. I went to the camera store (yes, I still prefer to buy from the local shop vs. online) and was disappointed that they don't keep the A640 in stock. No worries, how about the A630 then. But while handling the A630, I noticed the S3 IS right there with its sleek black housing, and incredible 12x optical zoom. I thought for sure this was an $800 camera. Surprise - same price as the A640. Now this threw a monkey wrench into my decision! I had to go back and research everything all over again; now comparing the A640 / A630 to the S3, even looked into the G7. The G7 lacks a swivel LCD and has a $500 price tag, so it was quickly thrown out.
Here's my conclusion on the A640/A630 vs. S3. Feature for feature, they're basically the exact same camera. The only exceptions are sensor size, megapixels, zoom with image stabilization (S3), live histogram on the LCD (S3), and of course the bulk or size of the camera itself. The only other thing I noticed was that the physical controls are slightly different on the A640/A630 vs. the S3. The button placement on the S3 is more like the G2.
Tough decision for me now. The A630 has everything I need, but the S3 will expand my photography with its amazing 12x zoom. I knew that if I got the S3, that every time I lugged it out, I would kick myself for not getting the slimmer A630. And I also knew that if I were to get the A630, then every time I tried to zoom in close, I would kick myself for not getting the 12x S3.
Finally, I went to the camera store convinced of my original motivations (size) and determined to purchase the A630. But when I got in the store, and held the S3 again, it just felt so natural, and the 12x optical zoom simply can't be beat! I also thought the learning curve would be lower since the controls were laid out more like my G2. I ended up with the S3, obviously. That night, I took some shots of the moon, hand-held no tripod, and they are incredible!
I know I will still kick myself when I travel and fumble around with the bulkier S3, but I suppose I can always buy the A630 on-line for ~ $250 as a back up. So far, however, I'm thrilled with the S3.
Although I've read good reviews of Sony, Panasonic, Nikon, etc., I love the G2 photo quality, and so to make life easier and narrow the search, I decided right off the bat to stick with Canon.
I began my research in the PowerShot A series. My next requirement was the swivel LCD. This is such a useful tool for me, especially in crowds where you can raise up the camera and still frame a good shot. Also with kids, you can lower the camera to your knees and compose without bending over backwards or getting in the dirt.
With my primary requirements being swivel LCD, full-feature manual controls, and size constraints, it came down to the A640 and A630. I read all the reviews, and was simply trying to decide between the 10M with black housing (very slick!) or the 8M which is plenty for me and my 5x7 or 8x10 prints. I thought that noise would a problem for the 10M A640. However, the test shots on Digital Camera Resource [...] looked like the A640 slightly outperforms at 400 ISO. Maybe Canon is test-marketing a new noise reduction system in the camera?
In any case, I really liked the less conspicuous black, and decided on the A640. I went to the camera store (yes, I still prefer to buy from the local shop vs. online) and was disappointed that they don't keep the A640 in stock. No worries, how about the A630 then. But while handling the A630, I noticed the S3 IS right there with its sleek black housing, and incredible 12x optical zoom. I thought for sure this was an $800 camera. Surprise - same price as the A640. Now this threw a monkey wrench into my decision! I had to go back and research everything all over again; now comparing the A640 / A630 to the S3, even looked into the G7. The G7 lacks a swivel LCD and has a $500 price tag, so it was quickly thrown out.
Here's my conclusion on the A640/A630 vs. S3. Feature for feature, they're basically the exact same camera. The only exceptions are sensor size, megapixels, zoom with image stabilization (S3), live histogram on the LCD (S3), and of course the bulk or size of the camera itself. The only other thing I noticed was that the physical controls are slightly different on the A640/A630 vs. the S3. The button placement on the S3 is more like the G2.
Tough decision for me now. The A630 has everything I need, but the S3 will expand my photography with its amazing 12x zoom. I knew that if I got the S3, that every time I lugged it out, I would kick myself for not getting the slimmer A630. And I also knew that if I were to get the A630, then every time I tried to zoom in close, I would kick myself for not getting the 12x S3.
Finally, I went to the camera store convinced of my original motivations (size) and determined to purchase the A630. But when I got in the store, and held the S3 again, it just felt so natural, and the 12x optical zoom simply can't be beat! I also thought the learning curve would be lower since the controls were laid out more like my G2. I ended up with the S3, obviously. That night, I took some shots of the moon, hand-held no tripod, and they are incredible!
I know I will still kick myself when I travel and fumble around with the bulkier S3, but I suppose I can always buy the A630 on-line for ~ $250 as a back up. So far, however, I'm thrilled with the S3.
Скроменый эксперт
30.05.2009
8/10
Оценка пользователя
Хорошо
Have had this camera almost 3 years in in about 20 countries. Its held up well and has only recently started having problems.
1. If I turn it on and immediately zoom in fully, it sometimes shuts off.
2. F8 aperture seems to produce sligltly blurry pictures now.
This camera has still been the best I have ever owned and I've taken thousands of beautifull shots with it. Features / manual controls are amazing for a camera from 2006 - price is very reasonable now!
[...]
1. If I turn it on and immediately zoom in fully, it sometimes shuts off.
2. F8 aperture seems to produce sligltly blurry pictures now.
This camera has still been the best I have ever owned and I've taken thousands of beautifull shots with it. Features / manual controls are amazing for a camera from 2006 - price is very reasonable now!
[...]
Скроменый эксперт
23.07.2009
6/10
Оценка пользователя
Плохо
Hmmm - in hindsight i wish i had just gone for a full blown starter DSLR. That was my mistake.
Tbh this is a good little camera that takes nice snaps and has a reasonable amount of options to keep most pick-up and shoot people happy. I didn't really notice too much difference in quality over my Canon Ixus s5.
Tbh this is a good little camera that takes nice snaps and has a reasonable amount of options to keep most pick-up and shoot people happy. I didn't really notice too much difference in quality over my Canon Ixus s5.
Скроменый эксперт
28.02.2009
2/10
Оценка пользователя
Ужасно
Unfortunately I didn't pay attention to the negative reviews about the camera taking blurry shots. They mentioned a desire for Canon to come out with a firmware update to alleviate the problem. Well the firmware has yet to be released. Now the zoom lens mechanics work but the camera doesn't recognize its already fully zoomed and assumes it is actually not zoomed at all so consequently stays in the fully zoomed mode. Canon support was useless since 1 year has passed since purchase. It has never been dropped or bumped so there is no error message that would be displayed if either of the aforementioned had happened. They offered a customer loyalty option to turn in my camera and pay another $275 plus $10 shipping for a refurbished and out of date G9. Don't buy this camera!
Скроменый эксперт
08.11.2008
10/10
Оценка пользователя
Великолепно
I own one and I echo the fine comments and review on this camera here.
The S3 IS is nothing short of an excellent professional camera. Packed full of great features rendering clear sharp photos that a camera 10 times it's cost delivers. So if you want a camera that puts the "P" in Photography and Professional this camera is a good choice. I did my research and decided to purchase the S3 IS feeling very good about it.
Just get yourself a 1 Gig high speed SD memory card and you are on your way to making great photos. What still amazes me today is the many great features this camera has and the quality of it all. Canon doesn't make good camera's they make great camera's and I can safely say Nikon and the like don't have anything on Canon. Canon is right up there with the best.
I know a couple professional photographers and they said to me that Canon
makes quality pro camera's equal to Nikon and Canon's optics rank right up there with Nikon. In fact one of these photographers was amazed by the quality of this camera and it not costing a few thousand dollars.
Truly a gem this camera!
The S3 IS is nothing short of an excellent professional camera. Packed full of great features rendering clear sharp photos that a camera 10 times it's cost delivers. So if you want a camera that puts the "P" in Photography and Professional this camera is a good choice. I did my research and decided to purchase the S3 IS feeling very good about it.
Just get yourself a 1 Gig high speed SD memory card and you are on your way to making great photos. What still amazes me today is the many great features this camera has and the quality of it all. Canon doesn't make good camera's they make great camera's and I can safely say Nikon and the like don't have anything on Canon. Canon is right up there with the best.
I know a couple professional photographers and they said to me that Canon
makes quality pro camera's equal to Nikon and Canon's optics rank right up there with Nikon. In fact one of these photographers was amazed by the quality of this camera and it not costing a few thousand dollars.
Truly a gem this camera!
Показаны отзывы 145-168 из 691.
