Canon S3 - an accolade

[russellc]

I've been a photography buff since about 1980. Did some courses and ventured into my first SLR, a Canon AV1. Excellent camera. Since then, I have had a succession of SLR's - all Canon - an AE1 , AE1+ Programme, then an EOS 650. All served me well. I had a collection of Canon zoom lenses from 28-200.

A few t=years ago , my family moved to a coastal resort. One o fthe downsides to living in paradise is the high incidence of corrosion. My EOS and my Canon Hi-8 videocam soon succumbed to salt corrosion [we live on th e water]

Last year I ventured into digital for the first time and bought a Casio Exilim Pro600 - excellent camera I must say, great quality pics!

This year I drifted back to my Canon roots and bought an S3. I have taken it overseas to Japan, used it as a substitute for VIDEOCAM for my children's milestone events [great video quality].

I have to say that overall, this is THE best camera I have owned. Quality of pics gives nothing away to my SLR's [better in fact], great video [I bought a 4Gb card on ebay which gives 30 minutes at PAL quality], ease of use - it ha sit all. A friend who went on the same trip took a Canon 400D and a huge lens kit. My results were better - better photographer [ahem!], pics just as good in SF mode, and more of them!! he left it at the hotel most days as he couldn't be bothered carrying it around.

If you're after an exceptional ultra-zoom camera - believe the hype. The S3 really IS that good.

[leyo04]

S3 IS = swiss army knife :)

[BowerR64]

S3 IS = swiss army knife :)

lol thats funny! :D

[FLiPMaRC]

:cool: I love my S3. It's actually my first camera that has full manual controls, and I'm still learning the basics :) I feel that I will eventually move on to DSLR, but I don't think I have the funds for it right now. :D

[russellc]

Flip
Thanks for posting. Before considering an DSLR please DO think of the pratical side. I've lugged SLR's around the world - and been conscious of it! I hated it! The S3 is much lighter and takes just as good pics - believe me! Just put it on the highest quality setting [SF] and buy a big card. It really is a Swiss Army Knife. Compare pics - it is very very good.

Awesome!!

[BowerR64]

You think SLRs will ever get down to this size? like the actual size of the S3 but SLR.

[FLiPMaRC]

Flip
Thanks for posting. Before considering an DSLR please DO think of the pratical side. I've lugged SLR's around the world - and been conscious of it! I hated it! The S3 is much lighter and takes just as good pics - believe me! Just put it on the highest quality setting [SF] and buy a big card. It really is a Swiss Army Knife. Compare pics - it is very very good.

Awesome!!
Oh, I know how awesome my S3 is during a vacation :cool: Actually I bought it for a two week vacation in Malta last summer, and I came back with 3000 pictures. It wasn't a hindrance at all. Plus, I keep my camera at the highest quality setting all the time with a 2GB card :)

[GaryS]

In the long term, I think SLR cameras will mostly disappear as the technologies that currently make SLRs better will merge with the prosumer cameras.

The mirror of an SLR is a moving part, a throwback to the days of film. While it continues to be required today, this will change as sensor technology improves, and LCD screens get higher resolutions in smaller parts. The mirror will become unnecessary for the vast majority of uses.

So I don't think SLR cameras will get smaller, instead they will eventually become irrelevant.

[FLiPMaRC]

In the long term, I think SLR cameras will mostly disappear as the technologies that currently make SLRs better will merge with the prosumer cameras.

The mirror of an SLR is a moving part, a throwback to the days of film. While it continues to be required today, this will change as sensor technology improves, and LCD screens get higher resolutions in smaller parts. The mirror will become unnecessary for the vast majority of uses.

So I don't think SLR cameras will get smaller, instead they will eventually become irrelevant.

:confused: Are you saying P&S cameras will eventually surpass DSLRs? :confused: How? Optics? I don't think so. There's a reason why some lenses cost over $1000. Sensor? DSLR sensor are bigger. I will take a 6MP DSLR over a 10MP P&S any day.

I don't see how DSLRs will become "irrelavant" to anyone, besides regular consumers.

[GaryS]

You are misreading what I was saying. I'm not saying that Point and Shoots will be better. I am saying that the technology of SLR with the moving mirror will be made irrelevant...

Interchangable lenses, large sensors, and other technologies that only appear on high end cameras are not tied to SLR cameras. Meaning they can all be applied to a prosumer level camera with no moving mirror.

The Olympus E-330 is already making a step in this direction with its live-view technology. What they have done for now is a bit of a hack (2 sensors, mirror and a prism) but it shows where the industry is headed.

My point was that (IMO) you are not going to see SLR technology move into smaller cameras, instead, P&S type technology is going to move into the space current occupied by SLR cameras (but we will still get all the cool optics!).

Sorry if I was not clear the first time.
gs

[flash110]

You are misreading what I was saying. I'm not saying that Point and Shoots will be better. I am saying that the technology of SLR with the moving mirror will be made irrelevant...

Interchangable lenses, large sensors, and other technologies that only appear on high end cameras are not tied to SLR cameras. Meaning they can all be applied to a prosumer level camera with no moving mirror.

The Olympus E-330 is already making a step in this direction with its live-view technology. What they have done for now is a bit of a hack (2 sensors, mirror and a prism) but it shows where the industry is headed.

My point was that (IMO) you are not going to see SLR technology move into smaller cameras, instead, P&S type technology is going to move into the space current occupied by SLR cameras (but we will still get all the cool optics!).

Sorry if I was not clear the first time.
gs

I agree, i think the technology used for P&S sensors will develop in a way that a few milimeters in size more in current SLR won´t make much difference regarding image quality and light sensitivity, lenses are on the other hand another story

[BowerR64]

I think so too, i think the sensor will get better and eventualy the small sensors that are in the P&S cameras no will get better and eventualy out perform the larger ones we see in most SLRs now. It has to, those big huge SLRs wont be around forever.

I wouldnt be suprised if the P&S cameras we use now wind up in our phones with all the same features.

[FLiPMaRC]

You are misreading what I was saying. I'm not saying that Point and Shoots will be better. I am saying that the technology of SLR with the moving mirror will be made irrelevant...

Interchangable lenses, large sensors, and other technologies that only appear on high end cameras are not tied to SLR cameras. Meaning they can all be applied to a prosumer level camera with no moving mirror.

The Olympus E-330 is already making a step in this direction with its live-view technology. What they have done for now is a bit of a hack (2 sensors, mirror and a prism) but it shows where the industry is headed.

My point was that (IMO) you are not going to see SLR technology move into smaller cameras, instead, P&S type technology is going to move into the space current occupied by SLR cameras (but we will still get all the cool optics!).

Sorry if I was not clear the first time.
gs
:cool: Oh okay. I get your point. Sorry for the misunderstanding. :p I'd say we're not too far off considering the pace of technology today.