My first digital compact was a Fuji Finepix S602, a 3.1 megapixel camera that delivered some nice results, but which was quickly outclassed by newer models. Having monitored the market and read as many reviews as possible, when the time came to replace the Finepix I had narrowed my choice to three cameras: the Finepix 6500 and 9500, plus the PowerShot S3 IS. Now if you've had a look round the PhotoVectis™ site you'll know that I am a long time Canon user, but I did not allow any allegiances to sway my decision. In the end, it came down to a combination of price, specification, functionality, physical dimensions and comments gleaned from various magazine reviews. On balance, the PowerShot came out slightly ahead of the two newer Finepix models.

First impressions
The PowerShot S3 is certainly a natty little camera and it looks reassuringly purposeful just sitting on a table. Even after four years of handling the bigger Finepix, I found the S3 a delight to use. A trapdoor on the base gives access to a compartment that takes four AA batteries and this also forms part of a comfortable handgrip. I used NiMH rechargeables right from the outset and always carry a spare set. This is just as well, for there is little time between the first warning of low batteries and the camera shutting down. Other controls are grouped logically and after some practice I experienced no significant problems. As with all such gadgets, it pays to spend some time reading the user manual and relating the information to the camera itself.

A trapdoor on the base
provides access to the
battery compartment.

Unfortunately, I have to get a couple of gripes out of the way early on. Having made good use of the Finepix's ever-ready case I decided to buy the Canon equivalent for the PowerShot. This proved to be a mistake, because all I got for £19.99 was a pouch with a zipper, neck strap and a Canon badge. There are no neat little pockets for spare memory cards or batteries, yet Canon's packaging describes the case as "functional". Well, come to that so is a supermarket carrier bag, but I wouldn't want to cart a digital camera around in one. And before offended Canon fanatics start pinging abusive e-mails in my direction, I should point out that Lowepro make a nifty little case for digital compacts called the Edit 100. I've seen it on sale for £16.99 and I would recommend that Canon's marketing people get hold of one. Then you'll see what functional means.

My other gripe is one that at least two other reviewers have picked up on. The S3's lens cap is simply a friction fit and it doesn't take much to dislodge it. This might sound somewhat petty, but it can be very irritating and can cause the lens to pick up dust and fingerprints while retrieving the camera from a case. A simple bayonet fitting would do the trick, or the same method that is used on FD and EF lenses.

Using the camera
So, what's the PowerShot like in use? In my opinion, very easy and generally user friendly. There is a prominent mode dial on the top right of the camera, which offers all of the usual shooting modes, split between "creative" and specific "image" zones. For my work I usually use one of three modes: shutter priority (Tv), Program (P) and Auto. Occasionally I use Manual (M) if the lighting conditions demand it. The camera is switched on by rotating a collar to the right of the mode dial with your thumb. Rotate right to shoot, rotate left to view images. There is a little lock button which has to be depressed first, but it becomes second nature after a while. To switch off, press the button in the centre of the collar marked, not surprisingly, "off".

The S3 is switched on and off with the
collar and button to the right of the
conventional mode dial.

Flipping useful
Images are composed using either a flip-out LCD or the electronic viewfinder (EVF). The LCD on the back of my old Finepix was okay to use, but the EVF was very grainy and indistinct. The PowerShot S3 not only has a much better EVF, but the rotatable LCD offers far more flexibility in terms of shooting opportunities. Canon were not first with this idea, of course, but it makes the camera much more versatile. Folding the LCD back against the body keeps it safe and automatically activates the EVF when the camera is switched on.

The flip-out LCD stows away neatly
and the rest of the controls fall
easily to hand. The little chrome
button with the red dot starts
and stops video recordings.


The buttons to the right of the LCD control options such as ISO and menu selection, as well as image playback functions. A button next to the EVF activates video recordings when this option is selected on the mode dial.

The S3 has a 12x optical zoom with image stabilisation and, as you would expect from Canon, it is of good quality. The zoom control is on top of the handgrip housing the battery compartment and easily operated with a forefinger. The shutter button is housed within this control. Many digital compacts have the zoom control - often just a rocker switch - on the back of the camera,but the S3's design is much more functional and especially effective when using the EVF. The zoom control is also handy when reviewing the sharpness of images in playback mode.

The huge zoom range of the lens, equivalent to 36-432mm on a 35mm camera, is a real plus point and offers no end of shooting options. The autofocus is fairly good and doesn't often get confused, especially as there is a "focus assist" lamp on the front of the camera for low light conditions. As a serious photographer I almost always use a hood on SLR lenses but I have yet to encounter problems with the S3 shooting without one. Frankly, I cannot say for certain whether the image stabilisation function is effective because I have yet to test it scientifically, but I don't suppose it does any harm.

Shutter operation is standard. Press halfway for autofocus and to set the exposure, then fully to take a picture. There is a small amount of shutter lag, but nowhere near as much as some other compacts. I have shot pictures of fast-moving subjects without any trouble, a feat that took considerable anticipation and practice with my Finepix S602.

Image quality
The S3 is a true 6 megapixel camera and I expected that its resolution would be twice as good as the old S602, but my assumption was wrong! In this instance, doubling the pixels does not result in an exponential increase in quality. My expectations were based on superb results from the 8.2 megapixel EOS20D, but it doesn't quite work that way. The S3 may only be 2 megaixels or so behind, but its smaller sensor creates more noise (the digital equivalent of grain in conventional film) and the processor is clearly having to work hard trying to compensate. Noise levels are actually good up to ISO200, then become increasingly noticeable at ISO400 and above. I think Canon could probably do much better here. One other issue that surfaces occasionally is the S3's tendency to burn out highlight detail under certain conditions.

It may just be me, but I have had some pretty inconsistent results from this camera. Interior shots using the excellent integral flash at, say, ISO200 in Program mode have come out really well, even with the lens at maximum aperture. Yet images shot in Manual mode at ISO400 with a fairly high shutter speed and the lens at around f8 have been disappointing. Perhaps there is a lesson there, in that the camera performs well in modes that the less technically minded might use.

The S3 uses SD (secure digital) memory cards and these can be inserted and removed via a neat little door on the right hand side of the camera. I bought a 1Gb version for mine which I have never come remotely close to filling up shooting stills. However, the movie shooting option uses prodigious amounts of storage, but if movies are your thing, why buy an S3? Sockets for an optional mains adapter and a USB cable are accessed by an annoying little rubber grommet above the memory card compartment. I confess that I am not a fan of these rubber covers, but they do seem to be quite durable.

Hidden connections. The optional mains/DC
adapter plugs into A, while the USB cable for
downloading images plugs into B. A neat
little door (unlike the cheap and nasty
rubber cover above it) allows SD memory
cards to be inserted and removed (C).

In common with most digital cameras, the S3 allows the user to set the quality of the the image recorded on the memory card. I have only ever used the maximum quality JPEG setting, producing files of between 1.3 and 4.5Mb, depending on the complexity of the subject. Movies can be shot up to the capacity of the memory card, but I have restricted my testing to a few 20-30 second clips just for fun. On maximum quality even these small clips take up between 30 and 55Mb each.

Conclusions
As I said right at the beginning, the S3 is a natty little camera and generally produces good results. Canon could certainly do a lot more in terms of noise reduction at higher ISO settings, but keeping to 400 or below sorts most noise-related problems. The powerful integral flash and rotatable, flip-out LCD make for good indoor shots, as well as offering unusual picture angles. The irritating lens cap is arguably a minor point, but one which would be a very easy problem to resolve. The lens itself is excellent with a fantastic zoom range. Compared to other cameras in its price band, I think the little PowerShot offers good value. It's heavier than some of the competition, but feels comfortable in use and handles well.

The digital camera market is forever moving on and as I write this in May 2007 a successor to the S3 has already been announced, the PowerShot S5. This is reputed to be an 8 megapixel camera, which is moving towards the serious end of the market. In the meantime, the S3 is a good camera for those of us that like our compacts a bit on the chunky side. To paraphrase the old saying, you pays your money and makes your choice. I'm pretty happy with mine.