Canon Powershot S3 IS

[balkantrek]

I am looking into buying a new camera and having read through various reviews I am starting to "focus in" on the Canon Powershot S3 IS. Has anyone got one of these and how do you find it?

I work as a mountain and nature guide in Bulgaria, where I have my own eco-tourism company specializing in walking and wildlife holidays, and have for the last few years been very happy with my Canon Powershot A80, taking some nice landscapes and some nice general nature shots (flowers, butterflies, amphibians etc). You can see some of them on my website if you are interested: Bulgaria - Walking and Wildlife (Holidays in Bulgaria)

As a mountain guide, a compact digital camera comes in handy because I am already burdened down with a giant rucksack. Also, because I am guiding others, my job is to show them the beautiful landscapes, fauna and flora, so my clients can get good shots...I come at the back of the queue when everyone is lining up to photograph something, so I wouldn't get much chance to fiddle around with changing lenses or setting up tripods.

I also do nature-orientated travel writing, and have just got two new commissions, one to contribute a monthly article to a magazine, and the other to write a new book. For my book I am going to need to include mountain landscapes plus general nature photos...in particular flowers, butterflies and other insects, reptiles and amphibians, and anything else I may come across...some birds and mammals would be nice too...but I am aware they are rather more difficult to capture with an ordinary compact camera. However, the key type of photo I will need for the book are what I will call "Habitat Photos"...landscape shots which include plants and vegetation in the foreground, thus illustrating habitats and eco-systems.

So here are my requirements:

1. Type: Good quality digital compact
2. Budget: up to £350
3. Mega pixels: 6 or more
4. Subjects to be photographed: Landscapes/Habitats, flowers, butterflies, reptiles & amphibians, plus birds and mammals when I get a chance
5. Quality: pictures need to be high enough quality for use in a book

Any thoughts? As I said at the start, I am at the moment tending towards the Canon Powershot S3 IS, having compared reviews with other similar cameras in the class.

[glsammy]

I had the Powershot S2 IS, and also the Panasonic FZ30. The S2 IS was very similar in performance terms to the S3. Of the two I much preferred the handling properties of the FZ30. (Now of course the FZ50) It handles beautifully, that is the controls are logical and very well thought out, with a DSLR style adjustment of focus and zoom, unlike the Canon, which uses the small wheel on the back, which I found hardly intuitive. It was faster in start up and in continuous shooting performance, although that may have changed with the FZ50?
Both are capable of stunning quality, I don't think there's much to choose in those areas.

[Olly]

I'd second Matt on the FZ30. Can be picked up for around £300 and if mine is anything to go by will take a bit of gentle abuse.

As an extra point the add on lenses (Raynox macro and Olympus Teleconvertor) that are available make it an even more versatile tool.

Olly

[matt_xyz]

Originally Posted by Olly

I'd second Matt on the FZ30. Can be picked up for around £300 and if mine is anything to go by will take a bit of gentle abuse.

As an extra point the add on lenses (Raynox macro and Olympus Teleconvertor) that are available make it an even more versatile tool.

Olly

er, I think it was Graham who recommended the FZ30.

I would recommend it though

Matt

[Olly]

It was, sorry. Doesn't bode well reading one post while replying to another !!

[eeyore]

For some reason panasonic have madethe FZ50 a bit bigger than the now discontinued 30 - this might be a factor if you are looking for a small pack camera - and was one reason (apart from the price) why i went for its little brother the FZ7 instead

[matt_xyz]

Originally Posted by eeyore

For some reason panasonic have madethe FZ50 a bit bigger than the now discontinued 30 - this might be a factor if you are looking for a small pack camera

Are you sure Pete? I thought the FZ30 and 50 were almost identical in terms of size and the following also seems to suggest that they are;

Panasonic DMC-FZ50 Review: 2. Body & Design: Digital Photography Review

Matt

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

Are you sure Pete? I thought the FZ30 and 50 were almost identical in terms of size and the following also seems to suggest that they are;

Panasonic DMC-FZ50 Review: 2. Body & Design: Digital Photography Review

Matt

i'm not totally sure mate as i have never seen the two side by side - the 50 is definitely a lot bigger than the fz7 though - while andrews fz30 didnt appear to be - but i could be wrong

[eeyore]

btw balkan trek, if you are going to be trekking away from sources of power you need to also budget for several batteries and also either several memory cards or a downloader (and several batteries for that)

[Pete]

according to DP review the FZ30 is
Weight (inc. batteries) 740 g (26.1 oz)
Dimensions 141 x 86 x 138 mm (5.6 x 3.4 x 5.4 in)

whilst the Fz50
Weight (inc. batteries) 734 g (25.9 oz)
Dimensions 141 x 86 x 142 mm (5.6 x 3.4 x 5.6 in)

I thought they looked near identical

the FZ8 is bigger than the fz7 (you can get the later for £160 now)

[eeyore]

okay my mistake

the original point still holds tho - the fz50 although doubtless a good unit struck me as too big to be a pocket / pack camera, which is why i bought a FZ7 instead. ( this isnt my principal camera - i also have a canon 20D and associated lenses, and a fuji F10 for walking arround , the FZ7 lives in the car most of the time and is also my utility camera if i go walking and dont want the weight of the 20D and kit)

[Pete]

Originally Posted by eeyore

okay my mistake

the original point still holds tho - the fz50 although doubtless a good unit struck me as too big to be a pocket / pack camera, which is why i bought a FZ7 instead. ( this isnt my principal camera - i also have a canon 20D and associated lenses, and a fuji F10 for walking arround , the FZ7 lives in the car most of the time and is also my utility camera if i go walking and dont want the weight of the 20D and kit)

the fz7 is good value at the moment.