Canon Powershot S3 IS

Auto Mode
Indeed, auto mode is the only mode that is truly easy to use. The Func/Set menu is shortened to only include the compression and image sizes, and all of the white balance and exposure compensation and such is not available.

When users push the ISO function, there are two choices. There is the regular Auto ISO and the High ISO Auto. The flash does not automatically pop up when it’s needed, but there is a message that appears: "Raise the Flash." The automatic mode is easy to use, as it should be.

Movie Mode
The movie mode on the Canon PowerShot S3 IS is highly publicized because it is complemented by the 12x zoom lens and the image stabilization system; one of the best parts of the movie mode is that the 12x optical zoom can be used while recording movies. And there’s more. The S3 has a MovieSnap function that lets users take photos while shooting video. This is made possible with the two-button setup. The shutter release button snaps still images, as usual, and the movies can only be recorded with the unlabeled red button near the viewfinder.

The Canon PowerShot S3 IS can shoot 640 x 480 and 320 x 240 pixels at quick frame rates of 30 and 15 fps. There is also an even faster frame rate available, but only in the reduced 320 x 240-pixel size. It can record 60 fps and only for one minute. The Canon PowerShot S3 IS can record continuous video for up to 1 GB. Stereo audio can be recorded with the video clips and options like the wind diffuser and the microphone level can be adjusted for better quality. Even with the defaults, the audio was great and recorded voices clearly even with background noises.

The ISO button can be pushed in the movie mode to act as a gain-up function. And of note is the image stabilization feature, of course. Canon claims that its optical image stabilization system corrects "up to three stops of camera shake correction in shutter speed equivalency," according to their web site. The image stabilization system keeps movies from looking like footage of earthquakes and is great for moms who have trouble holding their cameras still while cheering for their kids’ baseball team.

Drive / Burst Mode
A designated button near the shutter release activates the burst mode. Once activated, the camera can shoot 2.3 fps, which is respectable but not overly impressive. The amazing part about the burst mode is that it lasts so long. The Canon S3 IS can shoot 2.3 fps for almost 30 pictures before breaking pace even the slightest bit.

The self-timer can be activated from the same button. There are 2 and 10-second options and even a custom self-timer that lets users delay for up to 30 seconds and then take 1-10 consecutive shots.

A similar mode is the Intervalometer, which most users won’t even know exists. It is buried within the recording menu and is an extension of the self-timer concept. In this mode, users can leave the camera to sit and snap 2-9 shots – one every 1-60 minutes. This would be good for snapping the clouds rolling by or monitoring a construction project; when the many images are played back, it shows the progress over time.

Playback Mode
Viewing individual pictures in the playback mode is easy with the many features. Photos can be magnified from 2-10x and users can view histograms for each picture. The picture automatically rotates when the LCD or the camera is rotated, so the image is always facing the correct direction for the photographer. Users can add sound memos up to 60 seconds to each photo. Scrolling through images is easy too.

There is an index frame mode that displays nine thumbnails per page. If there are large amounts of files, the Jump button will make it easy to find a particular picture. It can jump to every tenth or hundredth photo, or it can jump to movies and certain dates. Slide shows can be played back with different transitions and loops and such. Users can erase one or all of the photos, as well as erase the beginning or end of a movie. There is also an entire menu devoted to printing that lets users individually select pictures and quantities of prints among other things.

Also of note is the new availability of many of the My Colors modes in the playback mode. In the Canon S2, My Colors could only be implemented before recording images. In the new models – including the S3 – the My Colors settings can be added after the fact. Not all of the My Colors modes are available though. The really cool ones, like the Color Swap and the Color Accent, cannot be added in playback. The rest of the vivid color filters and skin tone enhancements can be used though. This is a nice feature for users who try to avoid editing software and want to get interesting features straight out of the camera.

Custom Image Presets
The mode dial is nice and large, which allows some space for a few scene modes. Canon crammed its most frequently used scene modes onto the dial: Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene and Sports. These are all represented by intuitive icons. The rest of the scene modes can be found in the ‘SCN’ position on the mode dial. Once it is selected, the modes can be scrolled through by pushing on the right and left sides of the multi-selector. When this is done, an icon representing the scene mode and its accompanying text title appears in the center of the LCD screen. The following modes are in this menu: Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Indoor, Night Snapshot, Color Accent and Color Swap. These are quite specific and probably won’t be used as often. It is nice that the frequently used modes are included directly on the dial because they’ll be much more easily accessible.