Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Short description:

Canon announces the launch of the new Canon PowerShot S3 IS with 12x optical zoom. Replacing the popular PowerShot S2 IS, the new PowerShot S-series features a 6.0 megapixel CCD sensor, a new Image Stabilizer and a video clip feature comparable to digital camcorders. With an impressive dark grey finish, the PowerShot S3 IS compact camera meets the needs of experienced photographers with several enhancements, including a wider range of equivalent sensitivities (ISO 80 to ISO 800), a large 2.0-inch vari-angle LCD screen, the ability to widescreen shooting (16:9 format), new functions for recording video clips and an additional shooting mode "Sports".
The PowerShot S3 IS is designed for the serious photographer who needs advanced zooming and powerful video clips in one versatile digital compact camera.

Optics:

With the most impressive zoom of any Canon digital compact camera (36-432mm f/2.7-f.3.5), the PowerShot S3 IS is built with the same advanced technology as professional EF lenses. The Ultrasonic Motor (USM) provides fast and near-silent zooming, the Extra-Low Dispersion (UD) lens significantly reduces chromatic aberrations in telephoto shooting, and the Image Stabilizer (IS)2 compensates for camera shake and reduces image blur when you take photographs. or video shooting, holding the camera in hand and at large focal lengths. The Image Stabilizer allows photographers to shoot at shutter speeds up to three stops slower and capture high-quality photos even in low-light conditions without having to use a flash.
The combination of 12x optical zoom and digital zoom on the PowerShot S3 IS delivers up to 48x magnification for stills and movies. Push the boundaries of the frame with optional wide converters and teleconverters, extending the focal length range from 27mm with the wide converter to 648mm with the super teleconverter, and delivering an impressive 24x optical zoom. Super Macro mode (supermacro shooting) allows you to shoot at a distance of 0 cm from the object, and the use of a lens for macro photography 500D (58 mm) allows you to transfer objects in all details.

Increased equivalent ISO sensitivity:

In addition to Image Stabilization, the PowerShot S3 IS introduces a new ISO Auto and ISO 800 equivalent film speed setting that further enhances the camera's ability to shoot in low light. The High ISO Auto equivalent setting automatically sets exposure using a wide range of ISO sensitivities, allowing you to shoot at faster shutter speeds even in low-light conditions and to sharpen subjects at the end of the telephoto lens. A dedicated equivalent ISO button allows you to easily switch ISO speeds.

Video clip recording features:

Advanced video recording features give the PowerShot S3 IS a distinct advantage over conventional high-performance digital cameras. A dedicated video clip recording button allows users to switch between modes, so unexpected moments can be captured in motion. Users can record VGA video clips at 30fps up to 1GB3 with stereo sound, or create QVGA video clips at 60fps for easy slow-motion viewing. The video clip recording mode also allows users to select the exposure level, white balance, and zoom throughout the zoom range before shooting, as well as manually adjust the focus when shooting. The Photo In Movie function allows you to capture high-resolution photos while recording a video clip.

Art photography:

The PowerShot S3 IS has 20 shooting modes, including manual, aperture-priority, and shutter-priority. 2.3fps continuous shooting and a new Sports mode with fast shutter speeds and precise autofocus provide the ultimate in sports shooting. The special scene mode, such as night and snow, helps you shoot in difficult lighting conditions, while the Colour Accent and Colour Swap modes allow you to apply impressive colour effects to photos and videos. The effects of the My Colours feature have been greatly improved and can now be applied both before and after shooting.
The widescreen mode (2816 x 1584 pixels) allows you to capture photos in 16:9 format - perfect for viewing images on a widescreen TV or for printing wide format photos (10 x 20 cm).

Printing and other functions:

A new dedicated print menu makes it easy to print multiple images on one sheet. Support for the PictBridge standard allows users to print photos directly using any printer that also supports this standard, without connecting to a PC. PictBridge allows you to print photo data and better capture people's faces in portraits when the camera is connected to a compatible Canon PIXMA printer. The ID photo function and the video image frame printing function are also available when the camera is connected to the SELPHY CP series compact photo printer. A new Print/Share button lets you print or upload your photos to Windows or Mac with a single click.
Camera menus now support Arabic; thus, the number of supported languages has increased to 23.

Equipment:

• Camera
• 4 batteries
• USB cable
• Video cable
• Shoulder strap
• Software
• Manual