I think my Canon 3SIS is dying...

[Soupermom]

It has been an awesome camera for over four years now, but lately it seems to be having issues...like shutting down for no reason and telling me to restart the camera. It was a bit cooler out tonight at the football game, but it wasn't THAT cold! It's not like I haven't used it in blizzards before. Anyway...I really like this camera and Canons in general so I am wondering what I should replace it with. Any suggestions? I bought this one after recommendations from everyone here, so I'm willing to give it another go!
THANKS!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Dumb question, but did you put in fresh, warm batteries?

I love my S3, too. When my first one died I actually bought another gently used one, which I still carry in my purse.

 

[AndrewWG]

I had the S2IS before going DSLR. That camera was awesome until it started doing things like you are saying and telling me to change the batteries after only about 20 pics or so. Too bad. I wanted to keep it as a nice P&S backup to travel light at times.

 

[Soupermom]

I had put fresh, room-temp batteries in before we left for the evening. It has done this before and "snapped out of it"; I just figured it had lived a good life and perhaps it was time to move on.

 

[Marty Joe]

I also used and S3IS for around 4 years. Now my DD15 is using it and I have a Canon 60D. While traveling lite is history, I would not go back.

 

[Soupermom]

My 3S is less reliable each day which is very frustrating to me. I really need a replacement. What is the newest model most similar to the 3S?

 

[bob100]

My 3S is less reliable each day which is very frustrating to me. I really need a replacement. What is the newest model most similar to the 3S?

Canon SX40 ?
http://www.dpreview.com/news/1109/11091525canonsx40hs.asp

It depends on your budget

 

[Soupermom]

This model looks rather interesting. Similar to the 3SIS, but better. I was hoping to keep it under $400, but I may have to splurge. Do you have this camera?

 

[DanO2]

My S3is just recently died, without any warning. When the batteries ran out the lens was out and now it won't retract and the camera will not turn back on. I had to purchase a camera quickly and didn't want to spend too much, so I ended up getting the Canon SX-150is. I know that the SX40 is probably a closer match to all the features of the S3is, but I didn't want to spend that much money this time. I guess it depends on what features are most important to you. So far, I really like SX-150is. I'm a bit concerned about battery life, because it only uses 2 batteries instead of 4 like the S3is, but image quality seems nice and the screen is quite a bit bigger than the S3is (although it's fixed).

 

[Marlton Mom]

Are you in Hawaii?

That's where I heard cameras go to die.

~ Marlton Mom

 

[Soupermom]

I am not in Hawaii. My camera is surrounded by corn and bean fields. That's a close second, right?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Were you a part of that big S3IS users thread here a few years back? A lot of people reported the newer generations to the S3 weren't as good, hence why I bought another used S3 as backup to my dSLR. I think a lot of people made the jump to a dSLR at that time, so didn't really move on to the newer models. That's my theory, anyway, and I'm sticking to it. (Of course, I could be wrong, but none ever seemed to match the popularity of the S3 - here, anyway!) Have you looked at the Canon G11? Or what about a Mirrorless?

 

[wdwmom2]

Were you a part of that big S3IS users thread here a few years back? A lot of people reported the newer generations to the S3 weren't as good, hence why I bought another used S3 as backup to my dSLR. I think a lot of people made the jump to a dSLR at that time, so didn't really move on to the newer models. That's my theory, anyway, and I'm sticking to it. (Of course, I could be wrong, but none ever seemed to match the popularity of the S3 - here, anyway!) Have you looked at the Canon G11? Or what about a Mirrorless?

I too have the S3IS. Still working fine, but has a lot of clicks on the shutter. Just got back from purchasing the SX40IS. I too have been afraid that nothing will live up to the pics the S3 takes. But I am hopeful, for whatever unknown reason, that this one will do it!

Hopefully going up to Kinzua Bridge State Park in upstate PA in a few days. This will be the testing grounds for the new purchase. Also going out to eat tonight at a neat restaurant called Hickory Bridge. History traces back with it being granted to Charles Carroll, the father of the signer of the Declaration of Independance. I am sure it will be beautiful outside and may try to get a few shots off!!!

 

[Amy]

Hi! I'm one of the folks from the original S3 thread that Linda (Pea-n-Me) mentioned. After my S3, I got the SX10Is, and this summer I moved up to the Sony NEX-5, one of the new mirror-less cameras. The NEX uses interchangeable lenses and has a large sensor like a dSLR, but because it doesn't have the mirror, it's way smaller and lighter. So far, I'm really enjoying the picture quality - and the NEX is awesome in low light situations! This is something I could never get with my SX10 w/o doing some post-processing.

Here are 2 examples - both hand-held, 1600 ISO, and I did NOT need to use Noiseware:

 

[Soupermom]

Yes, I jumped on the bandwagon when the initial S3 craze started and often posted on that thread...usually to ask questions. I loved my camera and photos so much, as did my family, that my parents bought one as well. My camera has served my well on many trip around the country...I think it is now very tired. I, too, had heard that the newer models weren't as impressive as the 3S, but was hoping things had changed. I love Canons, so I hope to stick with that brand. Looking forward to hearing wdwmom2's report!

 

[Soupermom]

Any other comments on the SX 150? I'm thinking this is the route I'll go, but would like to hear from some DISers who have one. I mostly take photos of my kids, vacations, sports and "nature" stuff. TIA