Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Powerful 12x optical zoom bridge camera

Canon PowerShot S3 IS
79/100
CAMERA SCORE
Features 16
Performance 16
Durability 16
Price 14
Usability 17
Brand Canon
Model 1263B001

Key Features

SENSOR 1/2.5-inch CCD sensor with 6.0 megapixels
PROCESSOR DIGIC II processor for fast image processing
AUTOFOCUS TTL 1-point AF with AiAF and focus lock
PHASE DETECTION Not applicable; contrast-detection system only
VIDEO VGA 640x480 at 30fps, AVI format
STABILIZATION Optical Image Stabilizer (IS) lens-shift type
BURST RATE Approx. 2.3 frames per second
VIEWFINDER Electronic viewfinder (EVF), 115,000 pixels
DISPLAY 2.0-inch vari-angle LCD, 115,000 pixels
CONNECTIVITY USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, A/V out
MEMORY CARD SD/MMC card slot
WEATHER SEALING None; plastic body construction
BATTERY LIFE Approx. 110 shots (alkaline) to 550 (NiMH)

The Most Important Buttons & Dials — Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Control / Button / Dial Status Note
Shutter-release Button ✓ Present
Mode Dial ✓ Present
+/- EV (Exposure Compensation) Button ✓ Present
Dedicated ISO Button ✗ Not Present Accessed via FUNC menu
Dedicated Aperture Dial / Ring ✗ Not Present
Dedicated Shutter Speed Dial ✗ Not Present
AF-ON Button ✗ Not Present
Main Command Dial ✗ Not Present
Sub-Command Dial ✗ Not Present
Function (Fn) Buttons ✓ Present FUNC button
Joystick / Multi-selector ✓ Present 4-way controller
AF-assist / Self-timer Lamp ✓ Present
Monitor Mode Button ✓ Present DISPLAY button
Video Record Button ✓ Present Dedicated Shortcut button
Drive Mode Control ✓ Present

How-to Use Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Welcome to the How-to section of the camera. In this Light & Composition University website, each page for a camera has a how-to section and a section for learning. Simply because the buttons and the controls of each camera is located in different places that not only varies for brands but in each model. How-to section help you operate your camera, however, if you are interested to learn photography, not only you need to know how your camera works, but also you must know what you can change and why you do that to get better photo. Click the “Learn” or scroll down.

Canon PowerShot S3 IS Exposure Indicators

Optimal exposure Underexposed by 1/3 EV Overexposed by over 2 EV
 . 0 . +
 . 0 . +
 . 0 . +
|||||||►

The key to the photography is light, and it’s the exposure indicators, where you see how much light your camera sensor sees. These indicators both in monitor and viewfinder show whether the photograph would be under or over-exposed at the current setting. The amount of under or overexposure is shown in increments of 1/3 EV.

Learn & Master Photography with Canon PowerShot S3 IS

For over a decade, we have been teaching photography following a university standard. No one does it better than us. We have a selection of courses, diplomas, graduate and post-graduate programs, as well as some of our best-selling university press publications, to guide you in the best possible way for your camera. Enroll in the fundamentals and then move to the genres you want to master.

Technical Specification

Sensor 1/2.5-inch CCD
Resolution 6.0 Megapixels
ISO Range 80-800
Autofocus TTL Contrast Detection
Shutter Speed 15 - 1/3200 sec
Burst Rate 2.3 fps
Video 640x480 @ 30fps
Stabilization Optical Image Stabilizer
Viewfinder EVF
LCD 2.0-inch Vari-angle
Memory Card SD/MMC
Connectivity USB 2.0
Battery Life 550 shots (NiMH)
Weight 410g
Dimensions 113 x 78 x 76 mm