Canon Powershot S3 IS

Front
The front of the Canon PowerShot S3 IS is quite plain looking compared to the back of the camera and looks identical to the S2 model, with the exception of its black color. The large handgrip sits on the left and the large lens barrel sits on the right. The grip is covered in a rubbery surface and is comfortable to hold. The threaded lens is surrounded by a rim that screws off when the button to the bottom right is pushed so the user can screw on accessory lenses. Above the lens on both sides are built-in microphones. Directly above the lens is the flash; it has a Canon logo on the front and must be manually pulled open. To the top right of the lens is the large and green auto focus illuminator. The front of the camera isn’t incredibly attractive on the whole but looks simple enough to be inviting to advancing point-and-shooters.

Back
The most noticeable feature on the back of the PowerShot S3 is the LCD monitor that folds out, rotates and can fold back into the camera facing in or out. Above the LCD is a large eyecup with a tiny electronic viewfinder inside and a diopter adjustment dial to its left to focus that tiny window. To the right of the viewfinder is a large unlabeled red button; this is the only button that can be used to record movies.

Directly to the right of the LCD screen are four buttons; the top three are located on a contour that looks more connected to the LCD monitor. From the top, they are Func/Delete, ISO/Jump, Shortcut/Print, and Disp. All the way on the right edge is a vertical panel that looks more connected to the right-hand grip and has a silver multi-selector at the top. Beneath it are Set and Menu buttons and a red LED that blinks when movies are being recorded. The back of the camera, with its small pile of buttons, may be intimidating for point-and-shooters.

Left Side
Looking at the left side, the two buttons on the side of the large lens barrel can be seen. The manual focus button is on top and the macro button is on the bottom. At the top of the main camera segment is where the eyelet is placed for attachment of the neck strap. Just below this is a circular rubber door to the A/V-out jack, and below this is the built-in speaker.

Right Side
The right side of the Canon PowerShot S3 IS is quite wide because of the handgrip and has few features. It has a hinged plastic door that opens to reveal the memory card slot near the bottom and a flimsy rubber door just above it that must be pried off to reveal the USB and DC in jacks. At the very top of this side is a wide eyelet for attaching the neck strap.

Top
The top of the camera has plenty of contours and different levels of surfaces that are consistent with DSLR designs. The flash protrudes up above the lens and the back of the viewfinder’s eyecup can be seen from the top as well. To the left of the flash is the flash mode function button that doubles as the voice memo recorder. Directly to the right of the flash is a very large silver mode dial with letters and icons surrounding it. A tag mark sits on the left to show which mode is in position and at the ready.

To the right of the mode dial is the power button, which is surrounded by a switch that moves the camera from the recording functions to the playback mode. A red LED sits by this feature and indicates when the camera is on, although hopefully users should know when it is on anyway. At the front edge of the handgrip is the polished and comfortable shutter release button that is surrounded by a zoom switch. The switch has a wide nub on it that is easier to turn than the nub on some of the other Canon PowerShots that have this same feature. Still, it’s not as easy to work as other controls. Below the shutter release button is a small circular button that activates the burst and self-timer modes.

Bottom
Beneath the right-hand grip is an L-shaped compartment where the four AA batteries are stowed. To its right is the tripod mount, which is below the left edge of the lens barrel. The base of the camera is quite wide, which works well because users need space to grab onto to support the hefty S3.