The Canon PowerShot S3 IS follows last year’s S2 in the ultra zoom digital camera market. With its 12x zoom lens, established image stabilization system, and hybrid recording structure, the S3 has the main ingredients for a good ultra zoom camera.
Its 6 megapixel CCD and DIGIC II image processor are also key features. The image sensor is a new development from Canon that is debuting on its 2006 lineup of digital cameras; it is designed to meet the demands of a high sensitivity model, and the S3 includes an ISO 800 setting. The image processor is much more efficient than the original DIGIC chip and gets a little more battery life than before.
The Canon PowerShot S3 IS has manual and automatic functionality as well as a movie mode with more options than most digital cameras. The Canon S3 IS will sell for $499 when it is shipped to retailers in May.
