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Introduction
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01.Testing / Performance
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02.Physical Tour
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03.Components
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04.Design / Layout
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05.Modes
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06.Control Options
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07.Image Parameters
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08.Connectivity / Extras
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09.Overall Impressions
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10.Conclusion
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11.Specs / Ratings
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12.Photo Gallery
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13.Comments
Canon Powershot S3 IS
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IntroductionNext: Page 2
Physical Tour
Color (9.69)
The Canon PowerShot S3 IS is fitted with a Digic II image processor, the same type included in last year’s S2. The new S3 has a different image sensor with more resolution though, which could affect the camera’s ability to accurately record colors. To test this, we snapped several exposures of a GretagMacbeth color chart. This chart consists of 24 colored tiles and is used by many imaging professionals to standardize what colors should look like. We uploaded the Canon S3’s colors into Imatest Imaging Software, which output the following modified chart. The chart below shows the GretagMacbeth’s original colors in the vertical rectangle in each tile. The colors produced by the Canon PowerShot S3 IS appear in the outer portion of each square and the inner square shows the ideal color corrected for luminance.
Imatest also output the following graph, which shows the differences between the colors more quantitatively. The squares represent the ideal colors and the circles represent the colors that the Canon S3 produced.
As seen in the above chart, the colors are all kept on a tight leash. None of the colors are extraordinarily erroneous – and that shows in the excellent overall color score of 9.69. This performance is much better than the S2’s score of 7.94 and even the S1’s score of 8.8. The Canon PowerShot S3 IS had a mean color error of 6.19 and over-saturates colors by 10.3 percent, which is well within normal range.
The colorful still life displayed below was captured using the Canon PowerShot S3 IS. Click the still life scene to view in full resolution glory.
The Canon S3 IS has a 6-megapixel CCD image sensor that is brand new in the PowerShot lineup this year. The new sensor has more resolution than the 5-megapixel Canon S2 and is designed to handle the new ISO 800 inclusion. We tested the S3’s ability to keep images crisp and sharp by taking several exposures of an industry standard resolution chart. Imatest software analyzes all of the images, then reports the best results.
Click on the chart above to view the full resolution file
Noise – Auto ISO (3.22)
We tested noise levels using the automatic ISO setting and the Canon S3 returned a level equivalent to about ISO 150. This is more noise than what most cameras produce in the automatic setting, so the S3 received a disappointing automatic ISO noise score of 3.22. This is lower than the S2’s 3.67 score and the S1’s 3.69, but that is to be expected with more pixels on the same size imaging sensor.
Noise – Manual ISO (4.31)
The Canon PowerShot S3 IS provides a wider ISO range than its predecessor. The S1 and S2 both had a maximum sensitivity of 400, but the new S3 extends it up to 800. It can do this with its new 6-megapixel chip, which was specially designed to handle the demands of higher sensitivities and suppress the accompanying noise. We tested these claims and came up with the following results, shown in the chart below. The ISO settings from 80-800 are plotted on the horizontal axis and the noise levels are shown on the vertical axis.
There is a steady slope from 80-400 that looks very similar to the S2’s noise graph, except that the noise levels in the S3 are slightly less than the equivalent ratings in the older model. As expected, there is a significant jump in noise from ISO 400 to ISO 800. The specially designed image sensor can only do so much. Still, the ISO 800 setting isn’t completely unusable and is a nice inclusion on the Canon PowerShot S3 IS. For its performance, the camera received a 4.31 overall manual ISO noise score.
The color testing was done in optimal lighting, but because not every picture will be taken in gorgeous conditions we tested the camera in low light. We took pictures at 60, 30, 15, and 5 lux. The 60 lux test is approximately equivalent to two soft lamps in a living room after dusk, where everything in the room is still clearly visible and the dim light is hardly noticed until pictures start turning out ugly. The 30 lux test is about what comes from a single 40-watt bulb in the basement – not much. 15 lux is about what comes out of a night light and 5 lux is when objects are hardly visible when they’re only a few feet away. The last two tests check the image sensor’s limits more than anything else; photographers won’t often shoot in those last two conditions. Below are the GretagMacbeth color charts shot in the four low light tests.
The images are incredibly noisy and the colors suffer as the light dims. To its credit, though, the Canon PowerShot S3 IS does include an ISO 800 setting and optical image stabilization to help keep images illuminated even in extremely dark settings without the assistance of a tripod. Below is a chart showing just how noisy the images get as the shutter remains open longer. The horizontal axis shows the exposure times and the vertical axis shows how much noise was present.
Dynamic Range (5.5)
Camera light meters are calibrated to reproduce medium-gray tones – not the brightest shades in the picture, nor the darkest. Dynamic range measures how well a camera records tones that are brighter or darker than the medium tone it is calibrated to.
We test dynamic range by photographing a standard test target called a Stouffer step chart, which shows a row of rectangles that run from very bright to very dark. We analyze each image of the chart with Imatest software, which measures the range of tones that can be distinguished at high and low quality.
Canon S3 IS - Dynamic Range - ISO 80
Canon S3 IS - Dynamic Range - ISO 400
Canon S3 IS - Dynamic Range - ISO 800
Startup to First Shot (7.6)
The Canon S3 IS took 2.4 seconds to start up and take a shot in our tests. This is a typical delay – most compacts take about this long. Unfortunately, it's a frustratingly long delay. Two seconds is long enough for a spontaneous moment or fleeting opportunity to be lost. S3 users should keep the camera turned on whenever they think a picture might present itself.
Shot-to-Shot (9.34)
The S3 IS shot 1.6 frames per second in burst mode, with file size and quality set at their highest. It will continue at that rate until the memory card is full – we couldn't overload its buffer.
Shutter to Shot (8.08)
The S3 IS took on average 0.46 seconds to take a shot after we pressed the shutter. This is a long delay, and limits the camera's usefulness for action and spontaneous photography. Sports, wildlife and candid images will require both luck and patience. S3 users should try to press the shutter just before the peak of action, though anticipating by nearly a half-second is tough to do.
Shop for the Canon Powershot S3 IS
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