Canon Powershot S3 IS - DPChallenge Forums

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

04/20/2006 07:27:50 PM · #1

im in the market for a new (first) digital camera and i was wondering if any one knows if the Canon Powershot S3 IS is any good (It comes out may 31th i think) and any thing else u want to tell me im looking for a camera for 500$ or less that can reed MMC/SD i will post more later on.

Message edited by author 2006-04-20 19:28:24.

Count

Canon EOS-30D

04/20/2006 07:36:20 PM · #2

I was trying to sell a Panasonic FZ30 here a few days ago but gave up and put it on ebay, its just a few bucks over $500. You can see it here if you want: FZ30 on eBay

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

04/22/2006 02:08:04 PM · #3

anyone else have any thing to add??

Message edited by author 2006-04-22 14:08:13.

cfischl

Canon EOS-40D

04/22/2006 02:16:17 PM · #4

Im assuming it's gonna be pretty good. My first digital camera was a Canon Powershot S1 IS and I loved it. I still feel like some of my best photos were taken with it.

Canadian_eh

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

04/22/2006 02:24:43 PM · #5

I acually read the review in a magazine i got at henry's 2 or 3 weeks ago, it looks pretty impressive for a continuation of the S family. I personaly was happy going into photography with my S1, but it hasn't even been a year yet, and i already feel that i need the upgrade because of all the limitations i've found on the camera. It's honestly a great camera (atleast assuming from what i've read and seen on the S1 and S2) and Definatly the S familys great for a first digital camera! Oh, and it looks amazing with it's new compleatly black body and accesories... can't hurt eh ;-)

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

04/22/2006 05:35:10 PM · #6

Here's the preview/specs at dpReview.com -- I also had the S1, and it is a very versatile camera with only two major downsides: it only captures in JPEG (no RAW or TIFF files), and, along with similar cameras, had a pretty bad shutter-lag, making it somewhat less than useful for sports/action photography (though not completely hopeless -- I took this eagle last December).

The big upsides (for me) for this line of cameras are regular AA batteries, long zoom with IS, tilt/swivel LCD, excellent movie mode (including zoom during capture), and panorama-assist mode. The time-lapse capability was an interesting function I never got around to trying. I'm very likely to be getting one when they come out.

04/23/2006 07:22:55 PM · #7

what kind of rechargables do u guys i think some one said to get 20,000 or something like that

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

04/23/2006 07:36:37 PM · #8

I think the figure you're thinking of is the rating in milliamperes (mA), which on most Nickel-Metal Hydride AA batteries runs about 1800-2200 mA; the higher the number, the more total power they deliver before running down.

If you use the LCD or flash a lot, you really need the higher power ones. I don't use my LCD much, and usually go a few hundred exposures on one set.

You also need to consider the type/speed of recharger/battery set. There are some which can charge a set of four in a couple of hours, and others which take up to 14 hours; I think the faster-charging ones generally have an overall shorter life-expectancy, so you may end up in the long run paying more for convenience.

Message edited by author 2006-04-23 19:37:16.

eschelar

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

04/23/2006 07:41:08 PM · #9

I have not been happy (as have others in this neck of the woods) with Sanyo/Sony 2500 mah batteries (Sony are rebranded Sanyo). They self-drain very quickly. I have a very decent charger designed specifically for them that even has a special 'return to factory state' charge mode.

I am currently charging a set of Panasonic 2600 mah hour batteries that I bought last night.

Either way, if I charge the batteries within a day of using, I get 600-750 shots on a charge with significant LCD usage.

I have a backup set of energizer alkalines just in case that sits in my camera bag. It has saved my butt a few times. When the battery warning comes on, you have 2 or 3 shots left to go.

I would say that there are indeed some MAJOR faults to these cameras.

One of them is the Manual focus. Seriously a PAIN in the buttocks if you want to get creative or do anything exacting.

I love the flip and twist screen though and otherwise I find it a pretty decent cam. I feel that the S3 is a very minor improvement over the S2. I am personally bordering on insulted that they chose again not to address the MF issue. It's really that bad. I am also pretty disappointed that there does not appear to be a video compression option in the camera. Video at max quality will burn through 1GB in under 8 minutes. It's very good quality, but a simple and effective compression like MP4 would have done wonders for this while retaining a really high level of quality. Even doubling it to 15 minutes would have been nice. I run a 2GB SD card.

I have found that there are clarity/focus issues at longer distances too. I use it primarily as a 200 feet and under camera.

Personally, I bought this camera because I knew I would be upgrading later and I wanted the movie mode. The photographic side of the camera has some faults and I can accept that because the 30D can make up for that.

I also get the Flip and twist screen if I want to use it (it's great for kids or camera-shy people if you flip towards them... expect to crop later) in some circumstances.

IF I was not going to upgrade later, I would have gone with the Panasonic FZ 20. It has a better lens, a VASTLY superior Manual focus ring, AND a built in thread on the lens. The photographic side of the camera is better.

I would still recommend looking for it if you are not so particular about the flip and twist screen and batteries (you will need at least 1 extra proprietary battery with the panasonic).

Please note, that's FZ 20, not 30. I feel that they downgraded the lens with the 30. Personal feeling only there.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

04/23/2006 07:48:46 PM · #10

Originally posted by eschelar:

One of them is the Manual focus. Seriously a PAIN in the buttocks if you want to get creative or do anything exacting.

One of the reasons I'll still probably go with this over the Fuji S9000 is that I need the ability to operate one-handed -- with button-controlled zoom (and mostly auto-focus). I just don't think I can change my shooting style enough to go to a strictly two-handed camera, and I can't afford both.

04/30/2006 07:25:55 PM · #11

so do you guys think the canon Powershot S3 IS is a good deal?