Having a hard time choosing between Sony H5 & Canon S3; Picture Quality is the key req.

Other important features:

Picture Quality in Autofocus mode
Knowing H5 is poor for Sports/Wildlife still photos, how much is the difference?
I am not worried about video
Image Stabalization & Hunting @ 12X Zoom?
Cost Difference is not a problem

Hi Manoj,

By all accounts, the Sony H5 and Canon S3 IS are very close competitors. Their user review averages are pretty close on most sites and even the pros have some difficulty declaring a winner between the two. dpreview.com's in-depth review of the H5 has this to say:

"Compared to the most obvious competitors - the Canon S3 IS and Panasonic DMC-FZ7 - the Sony H5 scores highly in handling, features, overall image quality and ease of use, and only really falls short in a couple of areas; burst mode, focus speed in low light (specifically at the long end of the zoom), and the purple fringing. The Canon S3IS wins hands-down when it coes to movies, the FZ7's lens and superior image stabilization means that at lower ISO settings it still, just, rules the roost when it comes to edge-to-edge sharpness, but the H5 offers a very attractive overall package that handles better than either, and - if that's what you like in a camera - has that nice big screen to boot."

So, basically, all three of the class-leaders have slight edges over one another in certain categories, but overall there's no clear winner. One thing you might want to do in order to help you make your decision is check out these image galleries for both the H5 and S3 IS. Since image quality is paramount for you, this is probably the best way to decide. You might also want to visit a large electronics store, where you can get both cameras in your hands and see which one feels better. Good luck in your decision!

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