Canon PowerShot S3 IS review

True, a cheap dSLR will provide better performance, and a moderately priced one will deliver better photo quality. But the Canon PowerShot S3 IS's combination of features, performance and relatively compact design certainly gives superzoom fans a compelling alternative.
 

Shooting speed  
(Seconds; shorter bars indicate better performance)

Shutter lag (typical)

Time to first shot

Typical shot-to-shot time

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7

0.6 

2.8 

1.5 

Kodak EasyShare P850

0.6 

4.0 

1.7 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ4

0.5 

2.8 

1.1 

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

0.4 

1.5 

1.7 

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H2

0.4 

2.6 

1.5 

Continuous-shooting speed   
(Frames per second; longer bars indicate better performance)

Typical continuous-shooting speed

Kodak EasyShare P850

3.6 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ4

2.7 

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

1.5 

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H2

1.5 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7

1.3