Let me first say that I do not own any of the camera models mention in this thread.
I just thought I'd share here that a nice Russian chap has created a hack to enable RAW output from the DIGIC II cameras (A610, A620, S3IS, S2IS). It's a bit involved, and there are some drawbacks to shooting RAW, but if you've always wanted RAW support from your Canon P&S here is your chance to get it.
Original Site with Firmware and Source
Blog entry of someone who documented clear steps to use the hack
DPReview Forum Thread Regarding the Hack
Comparison Shots - A610
More comparison shots
Comparison Shots - S3IS
Notes: This very well may void your warranty. Please be sure of what you are doing before trying this. Additional links and data will be posted as available.
Directions (from original site):
1. Format your SD Card
2. Copy PS_A610 to SD card using method (1) or (2)
3. Take your digicam, turn it on in VIEW MODE. Press Menu button. Choose CONFIGURATION. Set FILE No RESET to ON. Choose Play menu. Find the FIRM UPDATE. Press Func. Set. Choose OK (don't worry - it WON'T touch the firmware). After the camera reboot, you should see blue button blink. Make one shot (no raw may be saved). Now you can shoot to raw+jpeg.
4. POWER OFF the camera. Download all photos to computer. Large files files IMG_1000.JPG, IMG_1001.JPG, IMG_1002.JPG... are RAW CCD files
5. Convert them to DNG using this converter.
UFRaw supports A610,A620,S3IS,S2IS directly (RAW .JPG) and via .DNG
For educational purposes you can use dcraw converter "dcraw.exe -a IMG_1001.JPG" to convert to .ppm
6. Enjoy! (color reproduction must be calibrated in case of PowerShot S2 IS. If you have camera/scanner profiling color chart, shoot it in RAW at the daylight and send it to dcoffin please) (to David Coffin, author of dcraw).
Methods of copying to SD card:
1. Software for your camera. This is just a program runs on PowerShot hardware, NOT the firmware update. It enables RAW shooting. Copy PS_A610.FIR to the root folder of SD card using your card reader.
<follow link to access latest files
2. The uploader could be used to upload PS_A610.FIR files to the root of SD card (if you don't have a card reader)
3. Free command-line RAW files decoder dcraw.exe. DCRAW
4. Free, more user-friendly RAW files decoder UFRaw. UFRAW
5. DNGForPowerShot 1.0 alpha 6 dng-converter.
I just thought I'd share here that a nice Russian chap has created a hack to enable RAW output from the DIGIC II cameras (A610, A620, S3IS, S2IS). It's a bit involved, and there are some drawbacks to shooting RAW, but if you've always wanted RAW support from your Canon P&S here is your chance to get it.
Original Site with Firmware and Source
Blog entry of someone who documented clear steps to use the hack
DPReview Forum Thread Regarding the Hack
Comparison Shots - A610
More comparison shots
Comparison Shots - S3IS
Notes: This very well may void your warranty. Please be sure of what you are doing before trying this. Additional links and data will be posted as available.
Directions (from original site):
1. Format your SD Card
2. Copy PS_A610 to SD card using method (1) or (2)
3. Take your digicam, turn it on in VIEW MODE. Press Menu button. Choose CONFIGURATION. Set FILE No RESET to ON. Choose Play menu. Find the FIRM UPDATE. Press Func. Set. Choose OK (don't worry - it WON'T touch the firmware). After the camera reboot, you should see blue button blink. Make one shot (no raw may be saved). Now you can shoot to raw+jpeg.
4. POWER OFF the camera. Download all photos to computer. Large files files IMG_1000.JPG, IMG_1001.JPG, IMG_1002.JPG... are RAW CCD files
5. Convert them to DNG using this converter.
UFRaw supports A610,A620,S3IS,S2IS directly (RAW .JPG) and via .DNG
For educational purposes you can use dcraw converter "dcraw.exe -a IMG_1001.JPG" to convert to .ppm
6. Enjoy! (color reproduction must be calibrated in case of PowerShot S2 IS. If you have camera/scanner profiling color chart, shoot it in RAW at the daylight and send it to dcoffin please) (to David Coffin, author of dcraw).
Methods of copying to SD card:
1. Software for your camera. This is just a program runs on PowerShot hardware, NOT the firmware update. It enables RAW shooting. Copy PS_A610.FIR to the root folder of SD card using your card reader.
<follow link to access latest files
2. The uploader could be used to upload PS_A610.FIR files to the root of SD card (if you don't have a card reader)
3. Free command-line RAW files decoder dcraw.exe. DCRAW
4. Free, more user-friendly RAW files decoder UFRaw. UFRAW
5. DNGForPowerShot 1.0 alpha 6 dng-converter.