Canon S3

[Kelly Grannell]

S3 is better in terms of higher ISO. Its ISO 400 is far cleaner than S2 ISO 400. Outside of that, everything is the same.

 

[Goofyish]

Is the S3 a step up from the S2 IS?

I'm thinking about purchasing my 1st digital camera and was considering the canon S2 IS, but was wondering about the life span of the 4 AA batteries it took.

Those NiMH batteries on the S3 are rechargeable ones, right?

Yes the NiMH are rechargeable.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

after spending a whole week playing with Sony H5, I'm going to list the pros and cons of this camera.

Sony H5

PROs:
1. 7.2 MP
2. Larger LCD screen
3. 58mm adapter ring included
4. Heavier than S3 (whether this is a PRO or CON is subjective)
5. Rechargeable battery included

CONs:
1. more expensive than the S3 (about US$100 more in Canada)
2. Uses proprietary MS Pro / Duo memory card
3. Far less scene modes than the S3
4. Heavier than S3 (whether this is a PRO or CON is subjective)
5. Overly-strong noise reduction even at ISO 80 (this is SUPER BAD)
6. Very soft picture (S3 is much-much sharper) even at the lowest ISO

There you go.

 

[KarenAylwood]

I just bought the Sony H5 last Thursday. I had looked over the Canon S3 and didn't like that it had 6 MP, and I absolutely CAN'T STAND the screen on it (the flip out kind).

It may be a bit heavier, but I actually don't mind the weight at all. It's not too heavy for me, which I was worried it would be.

I am not a camera expert by any means, but I've been playing around with the different modes and also found the lack of sharpness with the picture on the ISO setting.

Other than that, I love the camera. The screen is large and clear on it, and most of my pictures have come out just beautiful. I've taken about 300 pictures since getting it less than a week ago (and only having 2 days I wasn't working to use it! ).

 

[Kelly Grannell]

LOL! We're the exact opposite I need the flip out screen in a point and shoot (to see myself in a group photo and to be completely closed (for protection purpose)

 

[123SA]

Any suggestions about where to get the best price on a Canon Powershot S3? B&H photo price is $567, includes 1GB SD card & 5 yr warranty. Is this a good deal?

 

[Anewman]

Any suggestions about where to get the best price on a Canon Powershot S3? B&H photo price is $567, includes 1GB SD card & 5 yr warranty. Is this a good deal?

Buydig DOTCOM price on the Camera alone = $419(free shipping and no tax)
and here is a link to a 2gb SD card for less than $40(after rebate)
PQI 133X SD CARD

If you really want the 5 year warranty it is available for $50 from Buydig as well.

 

[123SA]

Thanks!! DO I need the warranty??

 

[JR6ooo4]

try www.pricegrabber.com

Mikeeee

 

[momsgonwild]

After you have taken a couple of pictures does the battery icon only show you to have 1/2 of your battery life left? How many pictures are you able to take on a fully charged battery? I had this camera, and sent it back. I was not getting very many pics per set of batteries. I was using the batteries that come with the camera, and a set that I ordered as a back-up. Sony told me this was normal use for this camera. After reading many reviews, I don't think so. I had the camera in auto mode, countinuous autofocus, LCD on. I do review my shots quite often. I also put the batteries in the camera one morning, and did not use the camera until the next evening. Would this run the battery down? Sorry for so many questions, but I am really trying to find a camera. I looked at the Canon S3 IS, and it is really nice, but the Sony to me felt better in my hands, and appeared easier to use. Do you think I just had a defective camera?

 

[KarenAylwood]

Well, what setting do you have it to save the pictures on? There is a button on the bottom right (it's got the picture with little boxes/ a trashcan). When you're in the mode you take pictures in, press on that and set how you're saving/taking your pictures. I use 3M mode which means they can be enlarged up to a 5x7 (2M for 4x6, and up to 7 or 8M for HUGE enlargements). I'm wondering if this could be sucking battery power- when I first turned on my camera it was set to save in the "finest" mode which took up a ton of space on the camera.

This is explained in the little fold out pamphlet that says "Read this first" on it.

I was able to take about 200 pictures in 3M mode before my battery showed the half-full sign.

I love the camera and haven't had any problems with it in the short time I've been taking pictures with it.

 

[momsgonwild]

I had it on the fine setting - 7 meg. I understand that I should use more storage on my memory card, but the reviews do not show this setting to use a lot more battery power. How fast does your battery show half life after you start using the camera with a full charge? I have got to figure something out fast. I leave next week to take my niece and nephews to the beach, and will need a camera.

 

[Anewman]

I dont think file size is a big factor when it comes to battery life. But REVIEWING captured images on lcd and ZOOMING in and out do put serious drain on batteries.

Also look what I read in Phils review of the camera.

Image stabilization
The optical image stabilization ('Super Steady Shot') system used on the H5 works, though I would say it is perhaps marginally less effective than those found in the Canon S3 IS and Panasonic FZ series. The H5 has two modes: Continuous (IS on all the time) and 'Shooting' (stabilization is only activated when the button is half-pressed to lock exposure). The first option makes framing easier - the Steady Shot system steadies the preview image - but obviously uses more battery power (it's on all the time).

I have never used the camera but most cameras have several power saving settings, like review time after an image is taken and auto LCD off. Kinda like a screensaver on a PC, turns off the LCD after the set amount of time without any activity and any button pressed turns it back on. If this camera extends and detracts the lens when powered on and off, setting the time to shortest amount of time allowed could save battery vs turning off the camera between shots.

 

[PlutoPony]

Just ordered one from Butterflyphoto for $409 plus $6.95 shipping.... shipped Monday and is on the truck to be delivered today . No good deals to be found in my area at brick and morter stores (darn) so had to go mail order. Butterfly did push the "extras" to up the order but stopped at my first "NO"!

 

[OCSurfCity]

www.samys.com - Samys Camera is a large outfit out of S. California.

www.onecall.com One Call is part of the Huppins Camera chain in Washington state.

 

[MickeyCrazed]

I got an awesome deal through Dell a week ago. $385 total.

 

[Sonno]

So then, I'm thinking of maybe holding off a bit on the purchase of a dSLR system, and start looking into P&Ss. I checked out Canon's website and stumbled upon the PowerShot S3. It looks like it'll suit my needs for a little while just fine.

Anyone have any intimate knowledge of the unit they could share? Good, bad camera? Any reviews? Other than that, the only real question I have is: Can you attach a filter to the lens?

 

[Anewman]

So then, I'm thinking of maybe holding off a bit on the purchase of a dSLR system, and start looking into P&Ss. I checked out Canon's website and stumbled upon the PowerShot S3. It looks like it'll suit my needs for a little while just fine.

Anyone have any intimate knowledge of the unit they could share? Good, bad camera? Any reviews?

GREAT CAMERA in my opinion.

But also in my opinion you could get a entry level DSLR setup with similar focal reach at about the same price.

Buydig prices as of July 15th.
Canon S3 IS = $419
Pentax DL after rebate = $349
Tamron(for pentax) 28-300 XR = $139
or
Tamron 28-200 XR = $100

No not the Greatest lens choices in the world at those price points but the combinations would compare very favorable to the S3's tiny sensor and lens.

It just comes down to your needs, if you are planning on have both types of cameras available to you, then the order you purchase does not matter.
But if you are only buying the S3 to delay you obvious prefrence, I would not settle.

 

[Sonno]

I'm definitely still going to get a dSLR. Heck I'm not even sure if I'm going to put off getting the dSLR, and stick to my original plan and buy the 30D in another... however many days the ticker at the bottom says.

I was just considering my options. Mainly, I'm not sure if I want to lug a dSLR around WDW with my 5y/o son in tow. But I definitely do want SOMETHING to capture the magic with.

EDIT: Nevermind about the filters and the adapters; I figured all that out. Main question I have now is, will this thing take a CF card? Or is it only SD?

 

[Kelly Grannell]

1. it only takes SD
2. you CAN get an SD to CF adapter
3. the price of an SD to CF adapter is about the same as a 2 Gb CF card



seriously, though. Keep your money, save it to buy a dSLR.

I can't go back to point and shoot. I really wish I can.

Maybe I'll get a Fujifilm FinePix S6500fd. Pending my personal test and other sites' reviews, of course.