My new Canon S3 IS not doing anything for me..

[bobbyc01ta]

I was in the market for another "compact" and after messing with so many compacts, I picked up a S3 IS.. I get ooos and aaaaahhs everywhere I take it. It takes beautiful daytime shots but the night shots really dissapointed me. They come out really grainy no matter what setting I set it to, Unless of course I put it on the lowest ISO and put it on a tripod.

To compare in reference, my Nikon Coolpix P1 takes great pics in the day and although its no SLR, it surprisingly takes better pics at night handheld. The quality is just better in every way. And this isn't even a VR model. I just don't get it. Maybe my camera is a defect?? I asked my buddy about his S2 and he said the nightshots suck and will come out grainy.. like my S3 does. I'm now having second thoughts about it:confused:.. Convince me to keep it guys!

[Robukincan]

I was in the market for another "compact" and after messing with so many compacts, I picked up a S3 IS.. I get ooos and aaaaahhs everywhere I take it. It takes beautiful daytime shots but the night shots really dissapointed me. They come out really grainy no matter what setting I set it to, Unless of course I put it on the lowest ISO and put it on a tripod.

To compare in reference, my Nikon Coolpix P1 takes great pics in the day and although its no SLR, it surprisingly takes better pics at night handheld.

Not the first of these threads i've seen, and i'm glad i don't feel alone in this ... I have the same issue with My A630. Bottom line: High ISO - noise with the Canon compacts ... my Nikon 3100 Coolpix (3 years old) takes better low-light shots for sure. No question I'd get a DSLR Canon ... it seems like the P+S don't quite match. That said, I really do like my A630, would just do more research next time.

Good luck with your decision.

[bobbyc01ta]

I think I'm going to take it back today.. It's just not impressive to me at all.. ya it feels nice and zooms great but indoor and night shots are nowhere near my Nikon P1..unless of course you use the flash which no one wants to do :)

[Olegis]

It's strange - according to the review samples from Imaging-resource (here (http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/CPP1/FULLRES/CPP1INI400.HTM) and here (http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/S3IS/FULLRES/S3ISINI400.HTM)) the amount of noise at ISO 400 setting is very similar for both cameras. One possible explanation I can think of is - maybe the S3 bumps the ISO to 800, whereas the Nikon only have ISO 400 as maximum sensitivity setting. Are you talking about Auto-ISO mode ?

Robukincan, all the P&S cameras perform about the same at high ISOs (some better and some worse - but overall the differences aren't so great). The only P&S I know which has superior high ISO performance is the Fuji F30 / F31fd - but it also has its weaknesses.

[bobbyc01ta]

It's strange - according to the review samples from Imaging-resource (here (http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/CPP1/FULLRES/CPP1INI400.HTM) and here (http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/S3IS/FULLRES/S3ISINI400.HTM)) the amount of noise at ISO 400 setting is very similar for both cameras. One possible explanation I can think of is - maybe the S3 bumps the ISO to 800, whereas the Nikon only have ISO 400 as maximum sensitivity setting. Are you talking about Auto-ISO mode ?



The Nikon just takes better pics indoors and low light period regardless of ISO setting. The "shutter" on the Nikon in Auto ISO is even faster than the one on the Canon. I'm reading reviews of the S3 and the reviews are great.. some do say its not very good in low light. That built in flash in the S3 works better than the Nikon..heck..its better than the built in flash on my 30D lol

[Franko515]

The lowlight performance of the S3 IS isnt wonderful handheld, but on a tripod or monopod its top notch. I searched and searched but the S3 IS is tops when it comes to P&S cameras. I bought a 30D to take care of really lowlight. But if you get a cheap monopod to carry around in the car it may serve you well with the S3 IS

Just my thoughts

[bobbyc01ta]

couple test shots all handheld
S3 IS Auto ISO
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/BobbyC01TA/IMG_0089.jpg

S3 IS ISO 400
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/BobbyC01TA/IMG_0090.jpg

Nikon P1 Auto ISO
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/BobbyC01TA/DSCN1796.jpg

Nikon P1 ISO 400
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/BobbyC01TA/DSCN1797.jpg

[lostdoggy]

Have you try moving closer to the subject and set it to widest FL. The S3 has a varible aperature and at widest end of the lens you get the largest aperature (smaller number, f/2.7) opening. At longest FL you'll have to be very steady since it will be 420mm (35mm equiv.)

[CRE@TE]

The Canon's pics look better to me. The Nikon's look like it uses a lot of noise reduction.

[zacker]

the Nikon just looks to be a bit more saturated to me... isnt the s3 IS? meaning you can hand hold at slower shutter speeds... no?

[_aravena]

Idk. I just got the S3 and took it in some pretty poor lighting, but i had the ISO at 800 and a good WB and it did great. Probably could have set it at 400, but still, loved what I got.

[bobbyc01ta]

The NR was on on the Nikon and Nikons always produce more saturated pics than Canon. I've had the D50, D70,D80 CP 7900 and now the P1 and all the cameras have much more saturation than my Canon S3, MDM2N, Rebel XT and 30D.

The P1 doesnt have a ISO 800 so i cant compare to the S3.. The S3 IMO produces "poor" 800 ISO pics...atleast for a camera costing that much.

Yes the S3 is IS but that doesnt always make it easier to take pics. I'll still mess around with it and see what I want to do. I was bus to day or I would have taken it in today

[spur]

If you think those Nikon pictures are better, you should run to get rid of the S3. To me there is no comparison, the S3 looks sharp and clear the Nikon looks soft and cartoonish. You are the one that has to like it though and if you prefer the Nikon that's the one you should get no matter what any reviews say, it's your money.

[_aravena]

Um...isn't the P1 retired though? Get an S10 if you're going to get a Nikon. At least make it comparable to the S3.

[Olegis]

It's kinda hard to tell from the web-size samples, but from what I see I find that the Canon ISO 400 picture is a bit noisier but also sharper, probably because of less agressive noise reduction algorithm.

Have you tried to use Noise-Ninja or some other noise-removal software on the S3 high ISO pictures ?

[bobbyc01ta]

the P1 still sells in stores.. not as much as it use to but it still does. I've had it for a while and even though the 2 aren't in the same league, I used them for comparison. Theres no doubt the S3 shots comes out sharper at night but with that sharpness comes tons noise(grain). I going to try and take some more sample pics today and post up.

I haven't used any software yet to edit the images.

[Nightscape]

It's strange - according to the review samples from Imaging-resource (here (http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/CPP1/FULLRES/CPP1INI400.HTM) and here (http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/S3IS/FULLRES/S3ISINI400.HTM)) the amount of noise at ISO 400 setting is very similar for both cameras. One possible explanation I can think of is - maybe the S3 bumps the ISO to 800, whereas the Nikon only have ISO 400 as maximum sensitivity setting. Are you talking about Auto-ISO mode ?

Robukincan, all the P&S cameras perform about the same at high ISOs (some better and some worse - but overall the differences aren't so great). The only P&S I know which has superior high ISO performance is the Fuji F30 / F31fd - but it also has its weaknesses.


I am thinking about getting the F31fd because of the ISO 3200 and picture stabilization. What IS this cameras weakness?

[laq]

im kinda in the same boat... i mean, i like my s3 but i really think the a620 i had before it took better pics overall. i dont even use the zoom. a buddy at work may buy it from me today- then im gonna look at the a630-a640.

[Olegis]

I am thinking about getting the F31fd because of the ISO 3200 and picture stabilization. What IS this cameras weakness?

ISO 3200 performance is not very hot with F31fd and there is no image stabilization in this camera. What is your photography interest (low-light, parties, outdoor, macros) ?

im kinda in the same boat... i mean, i like my s3 but i really think the a620 i had before it took better pics overall. i dont even use the zoom. a buddy at work may buy it from me today- then im gonna look at the a630-a640.

I can vouch for the A630 - it's an excellent camera. I carry mine everywhere and I use it almost daily - it's very good photographic tool, when you don't want to lug your bigger guns around.

[silvex]

Well that is where dSLR come into play...:) I have the S3 and is a poor performer in indoor/low light -- even with neat image. Use flash and wide lens, IS on to get the fastest shutter speed -- a tripod will NOT hurt either. Do not use auto indoors, I recommend Av. Auto will give you very noisey grainy picture. Outdoors it is a pretty good performer.

[Nightscape]

ISO 3200 performance is not very hot with F31fd and there is no image stabilization in this camera. What is your photography interest (low-light, parties, outdoor, macros) ?



I can vouch for the A630 - it's an excellent camera. I carry mine everywhere and I use it almost daily - it's very good photographic tool, when you don't want to lug your bigger guns around.


YES this camera does have "picture stabilization"

I would be suing it for lots of night pictures including party's and nights urban shots.

[_aravena]

Yeah I was about to say. Fuji is amazing with high ISO levels. The F20 was very nice and I tried out a F30 once.

[Olegis]

YES this camera does have "picture stabilization"

I'm sorry, but the F31fd does not have any real image stabilization (by real I mean optical stabilization inside the lens, or moving the sensor according to camera movement). However there may be some "fake" picture stabilization mode in which the camera increases the ISO in order to get higher shutter speeds.

[Nightscape]

I'm sorry, but the F31fd does not have any real image stabilization (by real I mean optical stabilization inside the lens, or moving the sensor according to camera movement). However there may be some "fake" picture stabilization mode in which the camera increases the ISO in order to get higher shutter speeds.


Oh... IC
I will have to read into that. They are very tricky with their words!

[silvex]

I was in the market for another "compact" and after messing with so many compacts, I picked up a S3 IS.. I get ooos and aaaaahhs everywhere I take it. It takes beautiful daytime shots but the night shots really dissapointed me. They come out really grainy no matter what setting I set it to, Unless of course I put it on the lowest ISO and put it on a tripod.

To compare in reference, my Nikon Coolpix P1 takes great pics in the day and although its no SLR, it surprisingly takes better pics at night handheld. The quality is just better in every way. And this isn't even a VR model. I just don't get it. Maybe my camera is a defect?? I asked my buddy about his S2 and he said the nightshots suck and will come out grainy.. like my S3 does. I'm now having second thoughts about it:confused:.. Convince me to keep it guys!

Sorry I was trying to add to my other post...gotta put down the expressos...:)

[eccles]

Just to add my 2 pence worth. With one or two exceptions, pretty much all compacts and subcompacts use 1/2.5" sensors, that is, sensors that are about 10mm across. No matter how many or how few megapixels are used in those sensors, they have approximately the same light gathering power. In low light this means the electronics have to boost the signal substantially to get any sort of picture, and with that boost, noise is introduced.

There are two ways in which noise can be handled in the camera, be light handed with noise reduction but keep most of the detail, or be heavy handed and lose the detail. At first glance the latter may look better but once that detail is gone there's nothing you can do to get it back. This is what Spur meant when talking about cartoon quality with the Nikon images - all the detail has been smeared away with the noise. If you have the detail and the noise you can run the image through noise reduction software, meaning YOU control how much noise vs detail you're happy with rather than a rather arbitrary set of smoothing algorythms in the camera.

As already mentioned, the Fujis have better low light capability than many other compacts. I believe this is because the pixel arrangement is in a honeycomb lattice resulting in better use of the sensor area for a given sensor size. Processing in the camera then interpolates this arrangement into a standard jpg format.

The S3, and other Powershots have image stabilisation (IS) which floats a lens element to compensate for small lateral movements of the camera, i.e. camera shake. It works very well, but it isn't a magic bullet. If you take party pictures in low light, movement of the subject will not be fixed with IS. You have to use a fast shutter speed or flash.

So, if you're going to take lots of party pictures with lots of subject movement don't let the Fuji's lack of IS put you off as IS won't be effective in that environment anyway.

Having said all that, I have an S3, and I wouldn't swap it for anything. As I almost never take a camera on nights out, it ticks the right boxes for me, and in good light takes very good quality pictures.

[beeGjay]

I just grab my old Kodak 3.2 mp p&s indoors. Takes much better shots than my S3.

[moey-ak]

im new here, i want to know how you compare all of these with the IXUS 70? i know it isnt such a high power camera but i have been lucky to take some great shots with it, can any one tell me what you think of it.......comming from pros

[beatnikbettie]

I have the same thing happening which is what landed me here. I am brand spankin new to having a camera with settings I can change so pardon me for not knowing how to set the exposure ect. ISO I got since theres a nifty button for it. but there's alot I still dont know. im unsure about keeping it tho as I am big fan of night portraits and my little handheld kodak takes better night shots of ppl. everyone with the cannon has orange auras or its REALLY grainy.

[_aravena]

Ok, after really trying a Fuji, I learned a lot I hate about them. main thing is and like some others is the stabilization. You can't just have it on, you have to put it into stabilization mode. WTF!?! I thought I was going to go Panasonic but I think I'll just stick to the SD1000 as my choice for small P&S. I wish I had the money for the SD850. So nice.