Canon PowerShot S3 IS

40

Reasons to buy the Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Size
Really small
Prosumer size 113x78x76 mm
Image stabilization
Image stabilization
Lens
Screen flips out
Flip-out screen
Great for movies
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi

35

"Just like the EOS 400D the 450D is primarily made from three materials; a stainless steel chassis, the mirror box which is made of high-strength 'engineering plastic' and the body made of a special lightweight 'engineering plastic' which also provides some electromagnetic shielding. Construction is very good with no creaks or rattles."
dpreview.com | talking about the Rebel XSi's build-quality
"Superb resolution, good per-pixel sharpness"
dpreview.com | talking about the Rebel XSi's image-quality

Reasons to buy the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi

Screen size
Large screen
3.0"
Badge
Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Badge
Phase detection autofocus
fast and accurate
Live view
Has live view
Preview your photos

differences

Advantages of the Canon Rebel XSi

Screen size Much larger screen 3.0" vs 2.0"
Help
More than 50% larger screen
Autofocus Faster autofocus Phase detection vs Contrast detection
Help
Catch candid moments easily
True resolution Much higher true resolution 12.2 MP vs 5.9 MP
Help
Capture more than 2x more detail in your photos
Sensor size Significantly larger sensor APS-C 22.2x14.8mm vs 1/2.5" 5.8x4.3mm
Help
Around 13.5x larger sensor
Interchangeable lenses Has interchangeable lenses Yes vs No
Help
Can take advantage of a variety of lenses
Supports RAW Shoots RAW Yes vs No
Help
Digitally develop your own photos with precise image control
Screen resolution Higher resolution screen 230k dots vs 115k dots
Help
2x higher resolution screen
Sensor type Has a CMOS-family sensor CMOS vs CCD
Help
CMOS-family sensors often produce better quality images
External flash Supports an external flash Yes vs No
Help
An external flash often produces better looking flash images
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 3.5 fps vs 1.5 fps
Help
Around 2.5x faster continuous shooting
Thickness Thinner 2.4" vs 3"
Help
Around 20% thinner
Viewfinder Has an optical viewfinder Pentamirror vs Digital
Help
Optical viewfinders save battery life and are more detailed
Longest exposure Longer exposures 30s vs 15s
Help
2x longer exposures
Fastest shutter speed Faster max shutter speed 1/4000s vs 1/3200s
Help
20% faster max shutter speed
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi Learn more about
the Canon Rebel XSi

Advantages of the Canon S3 IS

Image stabilization Image stabilization Lens vs None
Help
Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen Yes vs No
Help
Flip-out screens can be helpful when composing tricky shots or taking movies
Movie format Shoots movies 480p @ 30fps vs None
Help
Shoots standard resolution video as well as still pictures
Size Slightly smaller 113x78x76 mm vs 129x98x62 mm
Help
More than 10% smaller
Canon PowerShot S3 IS Learn more about
the Canon S3 IS
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
35 vs 40
Explain scores
Canon PowerShot S3 IS Canon PowerShot S3 IS
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Canon PowerShot S3 IS. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a entry-level DSLR with a super zoom.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!

I am considering either the Rebel XSi or the S3 IS,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

Select aspects that are most important to you: (max 3)

Popular tags:

Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!

1
votes
by NicoleUCD last month
Canon Rebel XSi vs Nikon D3000

My boyfriend is interested in photography as a hobby. I may be biased, but I think he takes grea...

One person recommends the Canon Rebel XSi:

" These are both great choices for a beginner. I used the XSi for two years and enjoyed it thorou..."

0
votes
by Hannah-Brett last week
Canon T3 vs Canon Rebel XSi

Im a beginner photography who Is looking to upgrade from a high-end point and shoot. I defiantly...

0
votes
by Olivia-Robinson this month
Canon T3 vs Canon Rebel XSi

-I am a beginner. -I like to take all kinds, I am in a class right now and we practice all th...

similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Viewfinder Viewfinders Help
Rebel XSi:Pentamirror
S3 IS:Digital
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
Rebel XSi:1/4000s
S3 IS:1/3200s
Weight Heavy Help
Rebel XSi:524 g
S3 IS:510 g
Thickness Quite thick Help
Rebel XSi:2.4"
S3 IS:3"
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
800 ISO
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Movie format One shoots movies Help
Rebel XSi:None
S3 IS:480p @ 30fps
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Size Large Help
Rebel XSi:129x98x62 mm
S3 IS:113x78x76 mm
Screen resolution Low resolution screens Help
Rebel XSi:230k dots
S3 IS:115k dots

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Screen resolution Has a much higher resolution screen
Thickness Is thicker
Startup delay Has slightly more startup delay
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS

Entry-level DSLR

$348 - $595 body only

$439 with 18-55mm lens

Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens

Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Thickness Is thicker
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$333 body only

$489 - $500 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Shoots movies
Battery life Longer battery life
Screen size Significantly smaller screen
Size Larger
Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Shoots movies
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
Battery life Slightly shorter battery life
Shutter lag Slightly more shutter lag
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $547 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Shoots movies
Autofocus Video autofocus
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Size Slightly larger
Canon EOS Rebel T1i

Canon Rebel T1i

Entry-level DSLR

$471 - $629 body only

$549 - $580 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Shoots movies
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
Battery life Shorter battery life
Color depth Worse color depth
Canon EOS 60D

Canon EOS 60D

Pro DSLR

$848 - $1,304 body only

$1,177 - $1,342 with 18-135mm lens

Movie format Shoots movies
Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
Size Larger
Weight Heavier

Canon PowerShot S3 IS Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon Powershot SX40

Canon Powershot SX40

Super zoom

$347 - $380

Zoom Much more zoom
Wide angle Much better wide angle
Size Significantly larger
Thickness Significantly thicker
Canon PowerShot G12

Canon PowerShot G12

Pro digicam

$390 - $496

Screen size Much larger screen
Wide angle Much better wide angle
Zoom Less zoom
Aperture Slightly narrower aperture
Canon Powershot S100

Canon Powershot S100

Pro digicam

$356 - $430

Wide angle Much better wide angle
Screen size Much larger screen
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Zoom Less zoom
Fujifilm FinePix S5200 Zoom

Fujifilm FinePix S5200 Zoom

Super zoom

Macro focus Much better macro capability
Supports RAW Shoots RAW
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Aperture Narrower aperture
Canon PowerShot S95

Canon PowerShot S95

Pro digicam

$340 - $389

Screen size Much larger screen
Wide angle Much better wide angle
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Zoom Less zoom

appearance

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi Canon PowerShot S3 IS
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi Canon PowerShot S3 IS
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi Canon PowerShot S3 IS

discussion

Showing 0 comments