The Canon PowerShot S3 IS incorporates a professional quality 12x Optical Zoom Lens, 6.0 Megapixel CCD sensor, Canon's renowned optical Image Stabilizer technology and video functionality rivaling that of dedicated digital video camcorders. Sporting a striking finish in gunmetal grey, the Stylish and 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" vari-angle LCD screen, widescreen (16:9) recording, improved movie features and an additional Sports mode.
6.0 Megapixel Resolution
With 6.0 Megapixels of imaging power, the PowerShot S3 IS delivers stunning detail and clarity, even to oversized prints and the closest crop-ins.
Canon 12x Optical Zoom Lens
The impressively long 12x Optical Zoom lens in the PowerShot S3 IS incorporates the same leading technologies used in Canon's professional EF lenses. An Ultra-Sonic Motor (USM) drives rapid and near-silent zoom operation, and an Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) lens element significantly reduces chromatic aberration in telephoto shots. Furthermore, the 4x Digital Zoom brings combined zooming power all the way to 48x for superb detail at sporting events, school concerts and more.
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.
9-Point AiAF with FlexiZone AF/AE
Canon's 9-point AiAF (Artificial Intelligence Auto Focus) 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 lets users manually select the focus point from almost any point in the frame by moving the auto focus window in the viewfinder. Exposure is linked to the focus point to ensure that the chosen subject is accurately focused and exposed.
DIGIC Imaging Processor and iSAPS Technology
Canon's exclusive DIGIC Imaging Processor revolutionizes how you shoot digital by allowing the camera to process images faster and improving the accuracy of the autofocus. DIGIC also reduces the effects on noise in your images. iSAPS Technology is an entirely new scene-recognition technology developed for digital cameras by Canon. Using an internal database of thousands of different photos, iSAPS works with the fast DIGIC Imaging Processor to improve focus speed and accuracy, as well as exposure and white balance.
Exclusive MovieSnap Feature
Now there's no need to interrupt your movie when you see a great shot. With the S3 IS's MovieSnap feature, you can simply press the shutter to capture a full 6.0 megapixel still image at any time while recording a movie.
Record High-quality Movies with the Touch of a Button
Now you can record high-quality 60 fps QVGA (320 x 240) continuous movies without switching modes - Canon's Movie button makes everything simple. It even gives you access to all the advanced features you want for making movies like optical zoom. You'll hear the difference too, because the S3 IS is equipped to record in stereo, with a high sampling rate, adjustable microphone level setting and wind filter option for excellent sound quality.
Increased ISO Speed
A High ISO Auto setting and ISO 800 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
Creative Shooting Modes
The PowerShot S3 IS offers 20 shooting modes including full Manual mode, Aperture Priority and Shutter Speed Priority. Together with 2.3 fps continuous shooting, a fast-shutter Sports mode with improved auto focus 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.
Shoot and View Widescreen Images
The PowerShot S3 IS features a 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 20cm) photos with a SELPHY Compact Photo Printer
Easy and Flexible Direct Printing Options
The Print/Share button on the PowerShot S3 IS makes direct printing easier than ever. Simply connect the camera to a Canon Direct Photo Printer or PictBridge supported printer, press the Print/Share button and print. The Direct Print feature allows for image preview and editing (including cropping) on the camera when connected to a compatible printer. Also use the Print/Share button to transfer images directly to a computer (Windows).