The PowerShot S3 IS is the successor to last year's 5-megapixel PowerShot S2 IS digital camera. The PowerShot S3 IS enhancements include a newly designed 6-megapixel image sensor that together with Canon's proprietary DIGIC II image processor dramatically reduces "noise" for better image quality and achieves ISO equivalent speed ratings ranging from 80 to 800. This increased sensitivity allows the use of faster shutter speeds, thereby reducing the effects of camera shake and subject blur during hand-held photography in low light. The S3 is also fitted with a larger 2.0-inch, color Vari-Angle LCD display.
The camera's 12x zoom lens has an equivalent film focal length of 36-432 mm (f/2.7 at wide angle and f/3.5 at telephoto). Despite the extraordinary range of the zoom lens, it retracts securely into the camera when it's powered down. This UD lens features a high- speed silent zoom function powered by a micro motor USM drive, increasing ease of quiet, non- intrusive image capture. For extreme close-ups, the macro and super macro mode permit shooting a subject as close as 0-inches from the end of the lens barrel.
To keep your images sharp and shake-free, the PowerShot S3 IS employs a true optical image stabilization system. Unlike electronic image stabilizer systems that typically cause degradation of image quality, Canon based its Lens Shift type of Image Stabilizer system on the advancements in the development of Canon's EF and video lenses. This Image Stabilizer provides up to three stops of camera shake correction in shutter speed equivalent. It is essential when engaging the 12x optical zoom lens because the extension of a long lens magnifies camera shake in direct proportion with the amount of lens magnification employed... [read more]