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View Full Version : [Canon S3 IS] Did I make the right choice ? vs A710 IS



Houman
12-02-2006, 07:19 PM
Hi,

First things first, this is a great site, I read most reviews thoroughly, and searched quite a bit on the forums. I used to have a Canon SD300, then moved on to a Coolpix 4600, but since I gave those away to my relatives, I just had my phone's 2mp camera (w810i) so I was looking for something better :)

I researched quite a bit, I first looked at the D80/D70/D50's DSLR, but then I wanted something more compact, and I am not a photo enthusiast, just someone who happens to take pictures here and there. Though I wanted something I could use if I travel, would take not too much space, mp is not that important to me (well 5mp+) and I wanted something bigger than 6x optical.

My choices went down to S3 IS and A710IS, I went to a local ritz and played with both of them. What I really liked on the A710is was the big LCD, and that it's really a new/nice camera. Though I fell in love with the 12x of S3 IS, movable LCD, and its size was in between compact and DSLR. I also went and ordered the PSC-75 case, the CBK-400 2500mah Batteries and a 2G SD Card.

I guess I was a bit disapointed that the S3 IS does not seem to accept 4G SD cards (at least the SDHC), though it seems some people have said in forums they're using the 4G SD Cards (not SDHC). I talked to a Canon representative over the phone, and he said they have only tested 2G and it is possible that if you do put a 4G card, it will only use 2G of it (can anyone say if this is true or not ?) -- But he said a firmware update in future might fix it. Though there is such small changes from S2 -> S3, I wonder if they'll just give this as a feature on the S4.

Overall pretty happy with the purchase, though I have had second thoughts vs the A710is, I was not 100% when I bought this, though I do enjoy taking pictures with it... I just wanted to know how people used/liked their S3 IS, what type of other accessories you do recommend, etc.

Thanks
Houman

saturndude
12-02-2006, 08:01 PM
You mentioned a case (PSC-75 or something). Is this a pouch for the camera, or a camera bag that can hold batteries and other things?

Personally, I've got:

1. 58mm adapter (lensmateonline) w/polarizer
2. 52mm adapter (lensmateonline) w/UV filter
3. camera bag
4. batteries and charger (and 12v adapter) and memory cards
5. tripod (Sunpak 8001 feels much better than $15 generic tripod!)
6. Photoshop Elements 5 (REQUIRES Windows XP)

That having been said, I still use caution when using the tripod. I have and carry 3 sets of NiMH AAs now. Alkalines can be used in an emergency. The UV protects the lens, although the adapter tube does that too. The polarizer protects and lets me change composition (darken the sky).

Some (newegg and other places) do report success with cards larger than 2 gig in the S3IS. I bought two 2-gig cards. If one has a problem, I would like to switch to the other card. Unfortunately, people usually do not become aware of a problem until after they finish many shots.

Next, I want to get laminated cards with my name and address for the camera bag and the tripod case. If lost, somebody just might be honest enough to return it or take it to the nearest police station.

Have fun!

Houman
12-02-2006, 08:48 PM
Hi,

The PSC-75:
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PSC-75-Deluxe-Digital-Cameras/dp/B0009NEUO0/sr=8-1/qid=1165117588/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-1673679-1086200?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

is just for the camera, and has a place to put an SD card, that's about it. It's nice and small... I did not want a big case.

Where do you buy these UV Filters ?

Thanks
Houman

russellc
12-26-2006, 04:52 PM
<<I talked to a Canon representative over the phone, and he said they have only tested 2G and it is possible that if you do put a 4G card, it will only use 2G of it (can anyone say if this is true or not ?) -->>

For what it's worth... I bought a fast 4Gb card on ebay for my S3. Works a treat - except, as yo uknow, in video mode it will fill to 1Gb maximum file size capacity then turn off, which is about 9 minutes or so. I just hit record again and can get over half an hour of good quality video.