I saw an advertisement for the above camera today in the newspaper. The listed price is only RM1,899 and the camera boasts of 0cm supermacro shots. WOW! I love supermacro! My Konica-Minolta Z3 which I bought for RM1,680 (all in) one and a half year ago gives me superb super-macro shots.
I wanted to get a macro lense for my Konica Dynax 5D but can’t afford ‘em. 
Am still hoping Sony (who took over Konica’s camera business) will come out with something affordable. So, meantime, let me drool over this super-macro superpower from Canon Powershot.
(preview copied from dpreview)
The PowerShot S3 IS features:
- 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
The PowerShot S3 IS caters for serious photo enthusiasts seeking extended zooming flexibility and fully featured movie recording in a versatile compact digital stills camera.
Optics
Still the most powerful zoom in a Canon digital compact camera (36 – 432mm f/2.7-f.3.5), the PowerShot S3 IS’s lens incorporates the same leading technologies used in Canon’s professional EF lenses. An Ultra-Sonic Motor (USM) drives rapid and near-silent zoom operation; an Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) lens element significantly reduces chromatic aberration in telephoto shots; Canon’s optical Image Stabilizer (IS) technology counteracts camera shake to reduce image blur when shooting stills or recording video, essential for handheld shots at longer focal lengths. IS allows photographers to shoot at shutter speeds up to 3 stops slower for reliable flash-free photography in low light conditions.
If you have a budget for this amount (RM1,899), forget about getting the latest, most compact, 10MP cameras. Get one of this powerful camera which takes super large size photos. I love macro! It is a whole new world of photography, trust me.
The PowerShot S3 IS offers 20 shooting modes including full Manual mode, Aperture Priority and Shutter Speed Priority. Together with 2.3 fps continuous shooting, a new fast-shutter Sports mode with improved auto focus accuracy provides unprecedented capabilities for capturing action sports sequences. Special Scene modes – such as Night Snapshot and Snow – assist with tricky lighting conditions, while Color Accent and Color Swap modes enable dramatic colour effects to be applied to both images and movies. Canon’s My Colors photo effects have been enhanced for this model, and can now be applied to images both before and after shooting.
Never mind about the bulky exterior because in there, it packs many lenses which produce beautiful results. The current trend is going towards expensive DSLRs costing RM8K – RM20K and above. So, if you can’t afford one, at least get something macho like this Canon Powershot. It is beautiful!!! I have no reason to buy but at least I have a blog to convince someone.
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
boo_licious
June 18, 2006 at 9:57 am
I looked at the camera when we were testing cameras in the mkt. Didn’t like the feel of it (it’s heavy) and we felt the camera was slow in focusing on objects. It does look nifty with that moving LCD screen though.
cal@ss
June 18, 2006 at 4:40 pm
i saw this too and was surprised at how its priced lower than the s2 back in dec 2005. at that time, the s2 was about rm 2299, while my s80 was rm 2040. the s2 looks interesting, but in the end i chose the s80 (slightly cheaper, with a 2.5″ LCD, uses lithium battery, etc…)
but now the s3 is only rm 1899, which should make this a great buy. the s80 still has not dropped its retail price, so i am hoping it still have great value.
i tried the s3 here in prangin mall (i was actually hunting for the 350D), and too found the auto focus abit slow. the body has great feel and grip, and it really feels like holding a DSLR camera. does not fancy the vari-angled LCD, though its larger now. super zoom and super macro is interesting.
Silencers
July 1, 2006 at 12:21 am
The S-series lacks a hotshoe for a flash. That’s the only reason why I avoided it. A shame, really. I wish they add a hotshoe of the S4 [if there ever will be one].
suegarplumfaery
July 4, 2006 at 9:31 am
i recently got my canon S3 last month and couldnt take my hands off it ever since!!!!!
it was the 0cm feature that prompted me to get it,reasonable price = fascinating pics!
ShaolinTiger
July 10, 2006 at 1:44 pm
I prefer the FZ30 over this, it’s a nice cam has some problems with purple fringing though.
S2 was a monster.
Sony H5 is a good competitor too.
Alex
November 24, 2006 at 11:22 pm
i haf the s3 is. absolutely lovin it. tho i’m no cam pro
Chicago Astronomer Joe
December 17, 2006 at 4:10 pm
I recently got a Powershot S3 and quite happy with it.
I researched the digital world extensively, desiring to upgrade from my trusty Kodak DX 3215, as it was quite limited and I needed something more robust. I looked into obtaining a strict DSLR, but the prices are in the high hundreds and low thousands…out of my price range. And I wanted the capability of shooting video. The S3 had everytning I desired…and more. The movie feature is quite nice, even at it’s lowest settings.
Baseline prices were averaging around $399.00, with small variations. On-line deals were slightly better, but not much, and…I prefer to pick up my electronics in person to examine the product. I saw an ad from OfficeMax offering the S3 for $369.00 – with an instant $30.00 in-store rebate. They threw in a free 512mb SD card and the option to purchase a $100.00 Canon photo printer for $30.00. I took the offer, but declined the extended warrenty of $79.00 for two years. I could have waited till the prices came down some more, most likely after Christmas, but I liked the deal offered. I am happy with the purchase.
It has plenty of zoom (12x), takes very good images, and the sharpness of the images are quite good. I have plenty of experience with my old 35mm Nikon film camera, and the S3 exceeds it in many areas. I do not miss at all lugging around various lenses and accessories, and this camera has plenty of features to satisfy the photographer.
I have experimented with the manual controls and find them exceptional, with real time results. And as an additional benefit, everybody who has seen it, has complimented me on the purchase…even die hard strict DSLR users. I will look into aftermarket Lens hoods and tele-converters to enhance the performance.
ASTROPHOGRAPHY -
I needed a camera for astrophotography, and I hope this one will serve well, but one nagging observation…
It’s remarkable that I have been able to record stars, constellations and nebulae with just the camera lens, but I find it bothersome that I cannot focus stars down to pin points, it just stops short. I don’t know if this is inherent to all digital cameras, but maybe it’s just mine.
There are examples of my practice begining astrophotography efforts with the Powershot S3 here:
http://astronomer.proboards23.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=ps3&thread=1166148281&page=1
and here
http://astronomer.proboards23.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=ps3&thread=1166148281&page=1
Other than the difficulties of obtaining pin point stars, I highly recommend this camera.
Respectfully,
Chicago Astronomer Joe
Administrator
http://www.chicagoastronomer.com