Canon S3 IS vs S5 IS

differences

Advantages of the Canon S3 IS

Slightly smaller

113x78x76 mm

117x80x78 mm

Around 10% smaller

Lighter

510 g

550 g

Around 10% lighter

Learn more about
the Canon S3 IS

Advantages of the Canon S5 IS

Much larger screen

2.5"

2.0"

Around 30% larger screen

Much higher true resolution

8 MP

5.9 MP

Capture more than 30% more detail in your photos

Much better macro capability

0 cm

10 cm

Almost the same

Supports an external flash

Yes

An external flash often produces better looking flash images

Higher resolution screen

207k dots

115k dots

80% higher resolution screen

Better maximum light sensitivity

1,600 ISO

800 ISO

The S5 IS's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better

Learn more about
the Canon S5 IS

recommendations

Relative to the best recent super zooms, and ignoring price

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

45	vs	47
Explain scores

Canon PowerShot S5 IS

Too close to call! Snapsort considers these cameras too competitive to make a clear recommendation.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!

I am considering either the S3 IS or the S5 IS,

For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

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similarities

Compared to recent digicams

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

	Flip-out screens
	Great for movies

	Wide aperture
	f/2.7

	Good image stabilization
	Lens

	Both have digital viewfinders
	Digital

	Fast max shutter speeds
	1/3200 of a second

Heavy

S3 IS:	510 g
S5 IS:	550 g

Quite thick

S3 IS:	3"
S5 IS:	3.1"

Capture low resolution images

S3 IS:	5.9 MP
S5 IS:	8 MP

	No boost ISO
	Lacks boost light sensitivity

	Poor wide angle
	36 mm

Very small screens

S3 IS:	2.0"
S5 IS:	2.5"

	Very small sensors
	1/2.5" 5.8x4.3mm

	Neither camera stitches together panoramas
	You could stitch photos in post

	Lower-end sensor types
	CCD

Large

S3 IS:	113x78x76 mm
S5 IS:	117x80x78 mm

	Movie support
	480p @ 30fps

	Neither has in-camera HDR
	You could do HDR manually

Poor maximum light sensitivity

S3 IS:	800 ISO
S5 IS:	1,600 ISO

	Slow continuous shooting
	1.5 fps

	Neither camera can take 3D photos
	No 3d support

	No touchscreens
	More buttons

Low resolution screens

S3 IS:	115k dots
S5 IS:	207k dots

Compared to recent super zooms

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

Fairly small

S3 IS:	113x78x76 mm
S5 IS:	117x80x78 mm

Thin

S3 IS:	3"
S5 IS:	3.1"

	No RAW support
	Less editing fidelity

	Poor zoom
	12x

	Neither has an external mic jack
	Limited to the in-camera mic

competitors

Canon Powershot SX40

Super zoom

$347 - $380

Has way more more zoom

Records higher quality movies

Is thicker

Is slightly heavier

Compare the Powershot SX40 vs the PowerShot S3 IS

Compare the Powershot SX40 vs the PowerShot S5 IS

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Super zoom

$742

Has significantly more zoom

Records lower quality movies

Is slightly heavier

Is slightly larger

Compare the PowerShot SX20 IS vs the PowerShot S3 IS

Compare the PowerShot SX20 IS vs the PowerShot S5 IS

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens

Records higher quality movies

Has a much larger screen

Doesn't have image stabilization

Is slightly larger

Compare the D5100 vs the PowerShot S3 IS

Compare the D5100 vs the PowerShot S5 IS

Canon Powershot S100

Pro digicam

$356 - $430

Has a significantly wider aperture

Records higher quality movies

Has a slower max shutter speed

Doesn't have a viewfinder

Compare the Powershot S100 vs the PowerShot S3 IS

Compare the Powershot S100 vs the PowerShot S5 IS

Canon PowerShot G12

Pro digicam

$390 - $496

Records lower quality movies

Has a much wider wide angle lens

Compare the PowerShot G12 vs the PowerShot S3 IS

Compare the PowerShot G12 vs the PowerShot S5 IS

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

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

Records higher quality movies

Has a much larger screen

Doesn't have image stabilization

Is significantly larger

Compare the Rebel T3i vs the PowerShot S3 IS

Compare the Rebel T3i vs the PowerShot S5 IS

Fujifilm FinePix S2950

Super zoom

$153 - $159

Has slightly more zoom

Records lower quality movies

Has a slower max shutter speed

Slightly worse macro focusing

Compare the FinePix S2950 vs the PowerShot S3 IS

Compare the FinePix S2950 vs the PowerShot S5 IS

Fujifilm FinePix S5200 Zoom

Super zoom

Much better macro capability

Shoots RAW

No image stabilization

Screen does not flip out

Compare the FinePix S5200 Zoom vs the PowerShot S3 IS

Canon PowerShot S95

Pro digicam

$340 - $389

Much larger screen

Much better wide angle

Screen does not flip out

Less zoom

Compare the PowerShot S95 vs the PowerShot S3 IS

Canon ELPH 300 HS

Compact

$148 - $179

Much better wide angle

Higher resolution movies

Screen does not flip out

Less zoom

Compare the ELPH 300 HS vs the PowerShot S5 IS

Canon Rebel T2i

Entry-level DSLR

$544 - $949 body only

$649 - $867 with 18-55mm lens

Much larger sensor

Much higher true resolution

No image stabilization

Screen does not flip out

Compare the Rebel T2i vs the PowerShot S5 IS

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discussion

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Canon PowerShotS3 IS vs Canon PowerShotS5 IS

Canon PowerShot S5 IS

Reasons to buy the Canon PowerShot S5 IS

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Reasons to buy the Canon PowerShot S3 IS

recommendations

Relative to the best recent super zooms, and ignoring price

differences

Advantages of the Canon S3 IS

Advantages of the Canon S5 IS

recommendations

Relative to the best recent super zooms, and ignoring price

advice

Need help deciding?

similarities

Compared to recent digicams

Compared to recent super zooms

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon Powershot SX40

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Nikon D5100

Canon Powershot S100

Canon PowerShot G12

Canon Rebel T3i

Fujifilm FinePix S2950

Canon PowerShot S3 IS Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Fujifilm FinePix S5200 Zoom

Canon PowerShot S95

Canon PowerShot S5 IS Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon ELPH 300 HS

Canon Rebel T2i

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discussion

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Canon PowerShot
S3 IS
vs
Canon PowerShot
S5 IS