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Top Canon Powershot S3 IS Camera Reviews
DC Resource wrote a review of the
Canon Powershot S3 IS
and said: "Photo quality was also very good. The PowerShot took
well-exposed photos with Canon's signature smoothness. Purple
fringing levels were low for an ultra zoom camera, and noise was
well-controlled, even at ISO 200. The ISO 400 setting is still
very usable, though at ISO 800 you'll probably want to clean
things up a bit using noise reduction software. Redeye was a
problem, unfortunately."
LetsGoDigital wrote a review of the
Canon Powershot S3 IS
and said: "These improvements lead not only to a camera that is
pleasant to work with, but also to results that are simply
better than before. It goes without saying that the centre stage
is once again taken by the unprecedented DIGIC II processor. The
Canon PowerShot S3 IS can easily be used in low-light
conditions. Even at ISO 800 the camera performs surprisingly
well. This sensitivity, however, also comes in handy when taking
photos in the maximum tele mode, which increases the risk of
blur caused by jitter, even though the camera is equipped with
an excellent image stabiliser. Faster shutter speeds prove to be
at least as effective."
Canon Powershot S3 IS News Release Summary:
Family-Friendly Digital Camera Combines Versatility and
Simplicity, Movies, and Stills and Brings the Very Far Very Near
and Keeps It Very Clear
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., February 21, 2006—The family-oriented Canon
PowerShot S3 IS is a feature-packed six-megapixel hybrid digital
camera that is equally at home with photo enthusiasts and
digital diehards as it is in the hands of the point-and-shoot
"where do I press?" set. Remarkably, whether engaged in VGA
quality videography at 30 frames per second (fps) with stereo
sound recording, high-resolution still photography, or capturing
both at the same time, this affordable and adaptable camera
remains the ultimate example of "easy to use."
The successor to the five megapixel PowerShot S2 IS digital
camera, the PowerShot S3 IS enhancements begin with Canon's
newly designed six-megapixel image sensor that together with
Canon's proprietary DIGIC II image processor dramatically
reduces "noise" for better image quality and achieves ISO
equivalent speed ratings ranging from 80 to 800. This increased
sensitivity allows the use of faster shutter speeds, thereby
reducing the effects of camera shake and subject blur during
hand-held photography in low light.
Adding to that unshakeable quality is the PowerShot S3 IS
digital camera's shift-type optical image stabilization system.
Unlike electronic image stabilizer systems that typically cause
degradation of image quality, Canon based its Lens Shift type of
Image Stabilizer system on the advancements in the development
and refinement of Canon's EF and video lenses.
This Image Stabilizer provides up to three stops of camera shake
correction in shutter speed equivalent. It is essential when
engaging the camera's retractable 12x optical zoom lens because
the extension of a long lens magnifies camera shake in direct
proportion with the amount of lens magnification employed. (For
those seeking still greater optical capabilities, Canon offers
an optional 1.5x Tele Converter, a 0.75x Wide Converter and a
high-quality dual element Close-Up Lens).
The PowerShot S3 IS digital camera's 12x zoom lens has an
equivalent film focal length of 36-432 mm (f/2.7 at wide angle
and f/3.5 at telephoto). Despite the extraordinary range of the
zoom lens, it retracts securely into the camera when it is
powered down. The optical zoom can be augmented by the camera's
4x digital zoom raising the maximum (35mm equivalent) focal
length to that of a 1728mm lens. What's more, this UD lens
features a high-speed silent zoom function powered by a micro
motor USM drive, increasing ease of quiet, non-intrusive image
capture. For extreme close-ups, the camera's macro and super
macro mode permit shooting a subject as close as zero inches
from the end of the lens barrel.
Movie Mode
In addition to recording in high-quality VGA (640 x 480 pixels)
movie mode at 30 fps, the user can increase the frame speed to
60 fps in QVGA (320 x 240) movie mode. Similarly, the camera
also features a QVGA 320 x 240-pixel setting with a choice of 30
or 15 fps. Continuous movie recording is possible up to a
maximum file size of 1GB or 60 minutes, whichever comes first,
(depending on the capacity of the user's memory card and its
data write speed). What's more, regardless of the mode dial
position or even whether the camera is in capture or playback
mode, the PowerShot S3 IS camera automatically starts and stops
recording movies with the simple press of a button on the camera
back.
MovieSnap
Newly enhanced for the PowerShot S3 IS digital camera thanks to
the model's new six megapixel image sensor, MovieSnap enables
the user to capture high-resolution six megapixel still images
while recording movies, ensuring that memories of milestones are
preserved for video view as well as for picture frames, photo
albums and e-mail sharing.
True to its hybrid nature, the PowerShot S3 IS camera's larger
2.0 inch Vari-Angle LCD screen swings out (as is common on video
cameras) permitting the user to compose shots including
self-portraits without having to twist and maneuver into
uncomfortable positions.
DIGIC II Image Processing Technology—Hi-Speed USB 2.0
True to the PowerShot tradition, the PowerShot S3 IS digital
camera has many of the latest advances in Canon technology
including the proprietary DIGIC II imaging processor. The
processor enhances picture definition, vibrancy, and quality,
while helping increase the speed of the cameras' startup,
autofocus, shutter response, playback, and image processing
speed while reducing power consumption by 35 percent compared to
the original DIGIC chip. Consumers benefit from accelerated
image transfer speed (when used with a USB 2.0 compatible
computer, printer, or other peripheral), thanks to the inclusion
of a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port. The USB 2.0 port is backwards
compatible (at no increased speed) with computers featuring
standard USB 1.1 connections.
New Features and Special Effects
Canon's PowerShot S3 IS camera features a Sports Mode that
allows users to select high shutter speeds and the camera
automatically selects the appropriate aperture for capturing
beautiful action shots. The camera also includes a new
widescreen 16:9 ratio resolution setting that facilitates
creating panoramic-style prints.
Additionally, the new model supports 23 languages (now including
Thai and Arabic). The S3 IS camera has an improved direct
printing function that permits greater flexibility in print
settings, including a face brightener setting for backlit
photos.
Canon also enhanced the "My Colors" mode found in the new
PowerShot line. Where previously, users could only enable "My
Colors" while shooting, the current iteration permits captured
images to be retouched as well, without the need for special
software applications or tools. Available "My Color" playback
modes include Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, and Vivid Red; lighter
and darker skin tones, as well as options for creating black and
white, sepia, neutral and positive film effects. A color accent
setting turns all colors but the one selected by the user to
monochrome and the color swap mode enables users to alter
specific colors in an image by sampling another color from the
same image or any other image on the camera's memory card. So,
"My Colors" provides PowerShot users with an incredible range of
creative photo effects that can be accessed directly in the
camera with no need for post-processing in a computer.
Direct Print
Like all PowerShot digital cameras, the PowerShot S3 IS digital
camera works seamlessly with Canon's petite SELPHY Compact Photo
Printers—an essential PowerShot accessory. Consumers simply
connect their S3 IS digital camera to a SELPHY printer—such as
the SELPHY CP510 and CP710 models. Press the lighted Print/Share
button, and within seconds1, images emerge. Presto! It is that
simple. Canon's SELPHY Compact Photo Printers are PictBridge
compatible. They work with PictBridge enabled digital cameras
and offer excellent image quality and ease of use, especially
when paired with a Canon digital camera. At 28 cents per print2,
printing photos directly from a digital camera is both easy and
affordable.
Pricing and Availability
Canon's new PowerShot S3 IS digital camera will be available in
May for an estimated selling price of $499.993.
Canon will debut the new PowerShot S3 IS digital camera in its
booth (#3509) during the Photo Marketers Association (PMA)
exhibit in Orlando, Fla., from February 26-March 1, 2006.
About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and
industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed as one of
Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America and is rated #35 on
the BusinessWeek list of "Top 100 Brands." Its parent company
Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is a top patent holder of technology,
ranking second overall in the U.S. in 2005, with global revenues
of $31.8 billion. For more information, visit
www.usa.canon.com.
Canon
Powershot S3 IS Best Price:
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