Canon PowerShot S3 IS

1527 reviews

May, 2024

Positive
usability (486)
performance (389)
zoom (325)
image quality (276)
price (213)

Negative
focus (32)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 1527 reviews of Canon PowerShot S3 IS. The average rating for this product is 4.4/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras for all reviews. Opinions about the price and zoom are overall positive. The image quality and performance also get good opinions, whereas there are some mixed opinions about the memory and low light performance.

usability, performance, image quality, zoom, price

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Canon PowerShot S3 IS is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 89/100 = Very good quality.

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Review analysis

(Based on 1527 reviews)

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Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Canon PowerShot S3 IS

alaTest has collected and analyzed 642 user reviews of Canon PowerShot S3 IS from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.4/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.com. Comments about the zoom and price are generally positive. The image quality and performance also get good views. Many are less positive about the contrast, while reviews are divided on the shutter.

usability, performance, image quality, price, zoom

contrast

92% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

May, 2024

Expert review by : Cliff Smith (trustedreviews.com)

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Superb image quality, tonnes of features and a top notch lens - what more could you ask for?

The Canon PowerShot S3 IS is arguably the best value super-zoom camera currently available. It combines great handling, ultra-fast performance and real photographic versatility with superior image quality and one of the best zoom lenses I've seen on a...

Jan, 2007

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Expert review by : tech.co.uk staff (techradar.com)

Canon PowerShot S3 IS review

Minor tweak or radical redesign?

Build quality and design are very good ; Logical and intuitive menu and control system ; Fun ; Excellent optical image stabiliser

Viewfinder is a little small

Even in fully automatic mode, the S3 IS delivers stellar image quality. It takes your photography to another level

May, 2006

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Doug Harman (pocket-lint.com)

Canon Powershot S3IS digital camera

Updates seem to come thick and fast where cameras such as this, the Canon S3IS are concerned and in this case, the S3 features some minor tweaks in terms of overall changes, but tweaks, which, nevertheless, make a significant difference in terms of...

Great handling, feature packed, great image quality, excellent macro function, good price

Intrusive noise at higher ISOs, purple pixel fringing, focus hunting at longer focal lengths, screen and viewfinder hard to see in bright conditions

Canon’s S3IS has generated lots of interest as even a cursory browse on the Internet will show, and given it’s results and the £330 pricing, the S3 makes a lot of sense for those trading up from a basic digital compact but they don’t want the perceived...

Jul, 2006

Partner Source

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Expert review by (stuff.tv)

Canon PowerShot S3 IS review

Canon loves nothing more than a mini SLR with big zoom. Does its latest snapper with 12x magnification live up to the Powershot name?

A pint-sized camera that packs a punch, with consistently good performance in all conditions

Feb, 2007

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Expert review by (expertreviews.co.uk)

Canon PowerShot S3 IS review

We first reviewed the S3 IS in What's New, Shopper September 2006 and found it to be a capable performer but a little overpriced.

Jan, 2007

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Expert review by (megapixel.net (en))

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Excellent image quality.Stabilized 12X zoom lens.Sharp images at all focal lengths.Good sensitivity range.Very little noise up to 200 ISO.Swivel LCD Screen.

Too few changes over the S2 IS.Still no RAW image format.EVF/monitor still average..

Oct, 2006

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Expert review by : Joanne Carter (digitalartsonline.co.uk)

PowerShot S3 IS

The PowerShot S3 IS is only a marginal upgrade from the S2 IS. The new model boasts an extra megapixel, a larger screen, and slightly improved sensitivity.

Option for ISO800 is handy, while overall picture quality is a slight improvement on its predecessor. Black paint job looks great.

No camera RAW file option, and it lacks the excellent wide-area AiAF system found on Canon's pocket cameras. Focusing is too slow to follow action.

Auto focus is tardy, and it's especially noticeable at the longer focal lengths. While all this is damming for sports photographers, the S3 IS isn't without its attractions, but with the replacement for Sony's DSC-H1 imminent, this particular...

Jul, 2006

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Expert review by (cameras.co.uk)

Canon Powershot S3 IS

In terms of length of zoom the Canon Powershot S3 IS offers more than any other current Canon compact model. This camera has 12x zoom, plus a host of advanced features.

Picture quality ; Macro shots ; Features ; Movie mode ; Twisting LCD screen

Battery life

I found the Canon Powershot S3 IS to be a very impressive digital camera. With more features than other super zoom models it is sure to prove attractive to people who see photography as a hobby. Picture quality is very good indeed and it is hard to...

Jun, 2006

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Expert review by (dcmag.co.uk)

Canon PowerShot S3iS

Even in fully automatic mode, the S3 IS delivers cracking image quality with a massive zoom thrown in. The viewfinder is a little small but its a fairly small gripe for a great camera. The real strength is the ease with which you can use the...

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Expert review by : Mary Branscombe (thinkcamera.com)

Review: Canon PowerShot S3 IS

An update to the PowerShot S2, bringing a flexible mix of features, zoom and image stabilisation in a surprisingly compact package. Here is the camera that came 3rd in our "cameras for £250" buyer's guide...

Comfortable body with logically arranged controls and a good grip, swivel and tilt LCD and a high-quality lens with effective image stabilisation

The LCD is small for the body size, the menus are long and there's no RAW option.

There are similarly-priced digital SLRS that have better performance; pay more and you'll get better image quality too. But they'll be bigger and more complicated. The combination of the excellent zoom, good image stabilisation and wide range of...

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