Unbiased digital camera reviews, advice, and prices
Note: This camera was first sold in Feb 2006. It has been replaced by the Canon S5 IS.
Canon PowerShot S3 IS
Canon PowerShot S3 IS
B-
HQ Grade: B-
A is outstanding and exceptional, rated in the top 10% of digital cameras.
B means they are good, with some standout features.
C means they are mediocre, and probably more trouble than they are worth.
D & F mean they are absolutely awful or old. Avoid at all costs.
  • 4 out of 5
"Apart from the noise, great camera"
  • 4 out of 5
"Photographer in Training..S3 filled all needs.."
See rating based on 1324 user reviews
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This camera is ranked

Canon PowerShot S3 IS Reviews

  • 4.33 out of 5

Rating: 4.33 of 5
(1324 user reviews)

Professional Reviews of the Canon S3 IS

  • 3.4 out of 5
Enthusiastic Recommendation (DC Resource - 5/15/06)

DC Resource likes the S3 IS, but offers the Panasonic FZ30 or Fuji S9000 as possible alternatives. read original review

  • 3.3 out of 5
Megazoom (CNET - 5/15/06)

CNET acknowledges that the S3 IS sits in that fuzzy area between regular digital cameras and digital SLRs, but sees it as a decent compromise for those not willing to wade in the deep end just yet. read original review

Canon S3 IS Reviews by DigitalCamera-HQ Users

Page 1 of 4 (79 DigitalCamera-HQ reviews total)

  • 4 out of 5
Apart from the noise, great camera (Shairani - 6/23/09)

The S3 is a good camera. Infact, if you intend to use it primarily during the daytime, and outdoors, its not just good, its great! read more

  • 4 out of 5
Photographer in Training..S3 filled all needs.. (Shinay - 4/6/09)

After using this camera during my photography studies i have come to great satisfaction. it is a durabnle compact model and is a easy to... read more

  • 4 out of 5
S3 IS a solid multimedia Swiss Knife (siddhartha Basu - 3/17/09)

In Aug 2007, I got S3IS @ Rs.14K when S5IS is lurking at the corner @Rs.19K which was lil bit steep 4 me. Performance in... read more

  • 4 out of 5
Now discontinued but will do just fine. (Mark - 1/10/08)

Yea! Target clearance $245! Just in time. I have a Minolta A1 which apparently has a potential imager defect requiring a Class Action solution. I... read more

  • 4 out of 5
Decent (Betsy - 10/2/07)

It's certainly a downgrade from my film SLR but it definitely beats the price of a new digital SLR. I definitely appreciate the manual options... read more

  • 4 out of 5
good camera!!!! (january lucky - 8/9/07)

this my first camera!!!
enjoy....
try it!!!!read more

  • 4 out of 5
Awesome Camera for the Price (Joey Garza - 6/9/07)

I upgraded my camera to this one after my old one fritzed out, the only bad thing i have to say is that the pixelation... read more

  • 4 out of 5
the best features in it's price (pooyan - 4/28/07)

i don't know may be fuji s9100 has better image quality or panasonic fz7 has better price or P.fz50 saves images in raw etc.
bat... read more

  • 4 out of 5
a small step but a giant leap to D-SLR (Dr swarupKM,India - 4/1/07)

it is something like a white magic spell!!
Explore ...you can realize its gravity.read more

  • 4 out of 5
good one - some issues on the sports mode (unni - 2/20/07)

Excellent camera - recomeneded might be i need to read the manua again on the sports mode the pictur gives me a lot of grainsread more

  • 4 out of 5
S3 IS (Nick - 1/28/07)

I got my Powershot S3 IS for Christmas last month, and it is a great camera. It is a quick, responsive camera, and doesnt feel... read more

  • 4 out of 5
New S3 Owner and quite pleased... (Chicago Astronomer Joe - 12/18/06)

Fellow Digital camera researchers,

I recently got a Powershot S3 and quite happy with it overall, but as an astronomer who desires astrophotography with it... read more

  • 4 out of 5
A great versitile camera... (Chicago Astronomer Joe - 12/16/06)

I needed to upgrade from my Kodak DX3215, which was quite limiting, but trusty. After much researching, I finally came upon the Powershot S3. It... read more

  • 4 out of 5
Good Camera that requires effort to get the best from it (Mitch Sefton - 11/30/06)

The Canon S3 IS is my first foray into the world of digital cameras after 13 years of sterling service from my Canon EOS 10QD... read more

  • 4 out of 5
Very good digital SLR STARTER (John - 11/25/06)

For those of you looking to get a little more out of your digital photography, and still have enough left to afford a family, this... read more

  • 4 out of 5
great value (legende5 - 11/20/06)

find it very good purchase for beginner. the only thing i can say against it is there no way to see the power left in... read more

  • 4 out of 5
Don't cut corners on the imaging chip! (Mike ONIFFREY - 11/19/06)

I own DSLRs for jobs, but always carry a point-&-shoot wherever I go. My last P&P was a Canon G3; beautiful. I bought the S3IS... read more

  • 4 out of 5
Great Camera / Hate the Controls (Andrew Akers - 11/10/06)

I love the zoom and I like the focus feature on the viewfinder but I hate where the menu button is . Every time I... read more

  • 4 out of 5
good (sanny ong - 11/1/06)

it is quit good! the picture and the video, But i have problem opening the video format with adobe premier editor.... how can i open... read more

  • 4 out of 5
good for architects>>>> (anakonda10315 - 10/15/06)

actually S3IS is a good camera for taking nice pics.but the only problem that makes the owner,a little angry is the "noise"!i advise you to... read more

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