The sleek PowerShot S3 IS digital camera offers you high resolution, an extra-long
zoom, advanced yet easy-to-use movie functions plus great new shooting options.
Also, with Image Stabilizer technology, images and movies taken with the S3 IS are
sharp and smooth, even when the camera gets jostled. It's everything you need to
capture the fun, excitement and beauty of your active life - wherever it takes you!
Successor to the popular PowerShot S2 IS, the latest addition to the PowerShot S-series
incorporates a 6.0-megapixel CCD sensor, Canon's renowned optical Image Stabilizer
technology, and video functionality rivalling that of dedicated digital video camcorders.
Sporting a striking new finish in gunmetal grey, the compact PowerShot S3 IS answers
the demands of advanced photographers with several improvements over its predecessor,
including an increased sensitivity range of ISO 80 to ISO 800, a larger 2.0-inch
vari-angle LCD screen, widescreen (16:9) recording, new movie features, and an additional
Sports mode.
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 to 432mm, f2.7-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.
The PowerShot S3 IS's 12x optical zoom combines with digital zoom to deliver 48x
magnification for recording both stills and video. For even wider framing options,
optional wide and telephoto converter lenses extend the focal length from wide 27mm
to super-tele 648mm (35mm film equivalent) for an impressive 24x optical zoom. A
Super Macro mode and optional Close-Up lens 500D (58mm) allow for detailed macro
photography. (Optional wide, telephoto, and close-up lenses not included--must be
purchased separately.)
Increased ISO speed
In addition to Image Stabilization, the PowerShot S3 IS features a new High ISO
Auto setting and ISO 800 to further extend the camera's low light shooting capabilities.
High ISO Auto automatically sets exposure using the higher range of ISO sensitivities,
enabling faster shutter speeds in low light and increased image stability at the
telephoto end. A dedicated ISO button allows for easy switching between ISO sensitivities.
Movie functions
Powerful video functions make the PowerShot S3 IS far more than just a high-performance
digital still camera. A dedicated movie button means users do not need to switch
modes to start recording, so spontaneous moments can be instantly captured in full
motion. Users can record smooth 30-frame-per-second VGA quality movies of up to
1 GB with stereo sound, or create 60-frame-per-second QVGA clips for sharp slow-motion
playback. The Movie mode also allows users to pre-select exposure and white balance,
zoom throughout the camera's focal range, and manually adjust focus while shooting.
A Photo In Movie feature enables the capture of full resolution digital stills during
video recording.
Creative shooting
The PowerShot S3 IS offers 20 shooting modes including full Manual mode, Aperture
Priority, and Shutter Speed Priority. Together with 2.3-frame-per-second continuous
shooting, a new fast-shutter Sports mode with improved autofocus 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 color 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.
The PowerShot S3 IS features a new Widescreen mode (2816 x 1584 recording pixels)
for capturing still images in 16:9 format--perfect for viewing images on widescreen
television or printing wide (10 x 20-centimeter) photos with a Selphy Compact Photo
Printer.
Printing and other features
A new, dedicated Print menu simplifies printing of multiple images. Full PictBridge
support means users can print directly to any PictBridge compatible printer without
the need for a PC. New PictBridge features include the ability to print shooting
data and optimize faces in portrait shots when connected to a compatible Canon PIXMA
printer. The camera's ID photo and movie stills features are also available when
connected to a Selphy CP Series Printer. A handy Print/Share button allows one-touch
printing and easy uploads to Windows or Mac systems. (Printer not included--must
be purchased separately.)
The camera's menu system now features support for Arabic, bringing the total number
of supported languages to 23.
Canon technologies explained
Optical Image Stabilizer
Canon's lens-shift-type optical Image Stabilizer counteracts the camera shake caused
by slight hand movements. Vibration sensors detect the angle and speed of movement
and send this information to a processor, allowing the camera to compensate. This
adds stability to hand-held, telephoto, or moving shots and enables shooting at
shutter speeds of up to three stops slower with no noticeable increase in image
blur.
DIGIC II
Canon's purpose-built DIGIC II (DIGital Imaging Core) image processor links all
primary camera functions for maximum efficiency. High-speed processing results in
outstanding responsiveness, rapid autofocus, and extended continuous shooting ability.
Advanced image processing algorithms deliver superb image detail and color reproduction
with accurate white balance and minimal noise. DIGIC II operates efficiently to
extend battery life, for longer shooting on a single charge.
iSAPS
iSAPS (Intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space) automatically optimizes
key camera settings before every shot. Each scene is analyzed and cross-referenced
against Photographic Space--a vast in-camera library of photographic data. This
enables the camera to make optimal adjustments to autoexposure, autofocus, and auto
white balance before image capture occurs.
9-Point AiAF
Canon's 9-point AiAF (Artificial Intelligence Autofocus) automatically scans and
selects subjects from a set of nine focusing areas across the scene. This ensures
accurately focused images even when subjects are not in the centre of the frame.
FlexiZone AF/AE
FlexiZone AF/AE lets users manually select the focus point from almost any point
in the frame by moving the autofocus window in the viewfinder. Exposure is linked
to the focus point to ensure that the chosen subject is accurately focused and exposed.
Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) lens technology
No matter how well engineered, conventional optical glass lens elements cause chromatic
aberrations which can 'soften' images and appear in photographs as fringing around
the outside edge of subjects. Canon's Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) glass has special
optical properties to successfully reduce these aberrations. Especially effective
in super telephoto lenses, UD glass helps to deliver crisp, sharp, high-contrast
images.
What's in the Box
PowerShot S3 IS body, AA-size alkaline battery (x 4), SD memory card SDC-16MB, lens
cap, neck strap NS-DC4, Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM, USB interface cable IFC-400PCU,
stereo video cable STV-250N
Product Description
The sleek PowerShot S3 IS digital camera offers you high resolution, an extra-long
12x zoom, advanced yet easy-to-use movie functions plus great new shooting options.
The exclusive "MovieSnap" feature allows you to take a full 6 Megapixel still image
at any time while you are recording a movie. Also, with Image Stabilizer technology,
images and movies taken with the S3 IS are sharp and smooth, even when the camera
gets jostled. It's everything you need to capture the fun, excitement and beauty
of your active life - wherever it takes you!