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 It has been replaced by the Canon S5 IS.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.
  • 1 out of 5
"Black screen"
  • 3 out of 5
"S3 IS - Disappointed."
See rating based on 1127 user reviews
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This camera is ranked

Canon PowerShot S3 IS Reviews

  • 4.44 out of 5

Rating: 4.44 of 5
(1127 user reviews)

Professional Reviews of the Canon S3 IS

  • 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

  • 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

Canon S3 IS Reviews by DigitalCamera-HQ Users

Page 1 of 4 (72 DigitalCamera-HQ reviews total)

  • 1 out of 5
Black screen (Gerald Rupert - 10/12/08)

I have not even filled one card and the camera does not display images either with the LED or viewfinder. Even with playback the problem... read more

  • 3 out of 5
S3 IS - Disappointed. (richard belfrage - 9/12/08)

A very nice Camera, which has now let me down with the Black Screen syndrome. The Camera appears to be funtioining and all the modes... read more

  • 5 out of 5
Love it - hint on the image stabilization (Campbell - 9/9/08)

Loved it once I learned the quirk on the image stabilization. The image stabilization works much better if you set it up to be active... read more

  • 1 out of 5
horrible, grainy pictures (nikki dean - 5/4/08)

This is my third Cannon camera....I also have an SLR and a point and shoot digital camera. Any picture taken indoors is grainy. Very disappointed... read more

  • 2 out of 5
Good until it breaks (MJL - 4/9/08)

Got this camera as a gift, awesome, lots of features great pics, until the 'LENS ERROR restart camera' started happening. I was 4 months over... 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

  • 2 out of 5
Grrrrr! (Lori - 9/29/07)

I'm with John on this. Mine lasted just over a year. It was used very lightly. (How convenient for the manufacturers) It's completely useless. Brand... read more

  • 2 out of 5
Quit working!! (John - 9/8/07)

Well, I loved this camera, but alas it should last longer than 16 Months. I'm going to have it repaired, if the price for repair... read more

  • 5 out of 5
great camera (jerry - 8/17/07)

this is a very good camera, I am still learning stuff about it. as far as the S5 goes, i would say save your money... read more

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

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

  • 5 out of 5
Excellent value - Perfect for the serious amateur (R Tapson - 7/17/07)

Very well balanced camera - easy to use and has all the functions you need to produce really good results. I have used it for... read more

  • 5 out of 5
Canon S3 (pc - 6/9/07)

I don't know,..I'm having fun with it. This is my first camera ever and the only bad shots are the ones I screw up. Read... 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

  • 5 out of 5
Wonderful camera! (SOL-Photography - 6/1/07)

My husband bought this camera for me in March for our anniversary present and I instantly fell in love with it! It takes amazing photos... read more

  • 5 out of 5
I love this camera (KK - 5/19/07)

I am in love. I have only owned Canon cameras but this is the best by far. I have lots of questions about it and... 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

  • 5 out of 5
Awesome (Nishank Jain - 3/29/07)

Hey this is my first dig cam...and I am lovin it...S3 has a superb shutter and flash synchronization and you can take out pictures in... read more

  • 5 out of 5
Mind Blowing.... (Nishank Jain - 3/20/07)

Hey everybody...This is one of the first camera i own Now ...previously I have used many...but this one is real angel. You can take close... read more

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