Whether you're a Vetran Canon Powershot S3 IS shooter or a beginner, chances are you'll eventually want to shoot pictures to share with others on the Internet. Shooting pictures for the Internet is different than shooting pictures that you intend to print out. Some people never quite understand this.

Why is Shooting Pictures For the Internet Different Than Shooting Pictures To Print?

The main reason is the file size. A large file downloads a lot slower than a small file...as if you didn't know that. Altough many of us have high speed Internet connections, some still use dial up. Try sending a 1 meg picture to friends or family on dial up and they will likely hate you in secret! It may take them an hour before they can see the picture!

If you want to print the picture out for framing or scrapbooking, then a higher setting is okay.

Pictures that you intend to use on the Internet do not have to have high definition or a huge size. In fact, the standard picture size of 640x480 pixels is more than enough for 99% of Internet use. Higher settings on your Canon Powershot S3 doesn't mean higher quality on the Internet.

Changing the Setting on Your Canon Powershot S3IS for Internet Pictures

Now that we know that a larger file size is not advantages for posting pictures on the Internet, here's how we can reduce file size for quick viewing by Internet users.

  • Use the FUNCTION button to pull up your menu.
  • Use the UP and Down arrows to select the menu item COMPRESSION Pixels
  • Use the Side to Side buttons to select your COMPRESSION Rate

Once you're at this point, you'll have several choices.

  • L = Large - 2816x2112 pixels - This is a large picture and not one you'd want to post to the Internet but excellent for printing pictures up to 11.7 x 16.5 inch prints.
  • M1 = Medium 1 - 2202x1704 pixels - Still a large picture for the Internet but print pictures up to 8.3 x 11.7 inches.
  • M2 = Medium 2 - 1600 x 1200 pixels - This setting is great for printing postcard sized 6x4 prints or 4.7 x 3.5 L shaped prints.
  • S = Small - 640 x 480 pixels - This is the one you're looking for to take pictures for the Internet.
  • W = WideScreen - 2816 x 1584 pixels - This is a wide screen format and one we'll not use on the Internet.

Once you have the size set to 640x480 pixels, now you'll use the SET button to set the COMPRESSION RATIO.

You'll have three choices to choose from, SUPERFINE, FINE and NORMAL.

For our purpose of posting pictures to the Internet, you want to choose NORMAL.

canon powershot s3 is review

(photo from Canon S3 User Manual) 

Now you're ready to share the pictures that you take with family and friends on the Internet. You have one of the best point and shoot digital cameras on the market with a Canon Powershot S3 IS, not get some extra SD cards and go have fun!


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