Camera Review - Canon Powershot S3 IS

Here’s JRM’s review of probably one of the better cameras that hit the Philippine market.

Before the currently popular Powershot S5 IS, we had the S3.  It sports the same 12x optical zoom I loved ever since I got it, and the only difference for me personally with the S5 and the S3 was the bigger LCD. That’s it. 

Here are the specs of the S3:

• 12x optical zoom lens with USM and UD lens element
• Optical Image Stabilizer
• 6.0 Megapixel CCD
• Larger size 2.0” Vari-angle LCD
• 30fps VGA movies with stereo sound and Photo in Movie feature
• DIGIC II, iSAPS and Flexizone AF/AE for fast, precise results and 2.3 fps continuous shooting performance
• 20 shooting modes and My Colors photo effects
• High ISO Auto and ISO 800 for low light flexibility
• Widescreen (16:9) recording

S3 was my first camera,  and it introduced me to the world of aperture sizes, shutter speeds, and the mysterious ISO settings.  It took me a while to finally use it in Manual Mode ( I was stuck with Auto for three months) but once I got the hang of it, taking a picture has never been any less fun.  Practically, the S3 can function like any SLR camera, and with its lighter wieght and smaller size, is actually the backup camera of choice for most professional photographers. 

In my opinion here’s the camera’s best features:

• Manual Mode, with the camera already showing what the picture will look like on-the-fly while you are adjusting the settings
• 12X Optical Zoom, great for long distances, especially in bright-lit areas like the beach(ehem!)
• Widescreen Video and Stereo Sound Recording, something  you don’t get with a more expensive SLR camera
• Durable and heavyduty, I accidentally dropped it, and it fell like a brick: no dents and just minor scratches 

 For beginners and amateurs, I’d greatly recommend the Powershot S3 as your first camera.   I suggest you get it in Hidalgo, where it sells for a measly 15 thousand Pesos, already half its price from a year ago.  I tell you: hindi ka magkakamali sa camerang ito. 

Keep shootin’ people!