Buying New Camera Need Advice! Updated I did it!!

[mcgrawfan]

DH finally gave me the ok to order a new camera. After many reccomendations I decided on the Canon S3 but now I have having second thoughts. Should I save the $100 and just get an S2? I just can't decide what to do. Help!!

UPDATE: I did it! I bought an S3. Thanks to everyone who answered my questions over the last month. I will probably need more help.

 

[YEKCIM]

What does the S3 have, that you need/want, that the S2 doesn't?

~YEKCIM

 

[jann1033]

the shutter lag for the s3 is supposed to be better and the iso is better so that really might be worth $100. i don't know how bad the lag was on the s2 but that drives me nuts in general so i'd go for the better there...plus you have 1 more mp, a bigger lcd, not sure about the sensor but a hundred really isn't that much when you are going to be using it for a while. maybe compare some pics taken with each and see if you see a difference

 

[ukcatfan]

Here is a link that lists some of the changes. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons3is/

It really was not a major upgrade. The S3 is more like a S2 v2.0 if you ask me. The S1 to S2 was a major upgrade. I do like the new live histogram and the black body color though. The addition of more scene modes and 1 more MP, would not make it $100 better for me.

Kevin

 

[BorisMD]

You might check out the Canon SD700is. Here is a great endorsement from a capable online columnist.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/sd700.htm

It will be easier to take around the parks, and you won't tire as easily.

If you're going for the S3, I would consider moving up to the Rebel XT.

Regards,

Boris

 

[mcgrawfan]

You might check out the Canon SD700is. Here is a great endorsement from a capable online columnist.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/sd700.htm

It will be easier to take around the parks, and you won't tire as easily.

If you're going for the S3, I would consider moving up to the Rebel XT.

Regards,

Boris

Thanks for the info but I already have a Olympus Stylus. I am wanting a nicer better zoom camera.

 

[mcgrawfan]

What does the S3 have, that you need/want, that the S2 doesn't?

~YEKCIM

Well....its the newer version. It has the color swap which I don't think the S3does. Not that important but a cool feature.

 

[YEKCIM]

I am wanting a nicer better zoom camera.

The Canon's will definitely give you the longer reach zoom, as will the Sony "H" series. You may also want to look at Fuji's S6000fd, which gives you better high-ISO performance and a wider view on the low end, at the expense of a little telephoto reach. The Fuji does *not* have image stabilization, however. The zoom on the S2/S3/H series is in the 35-430mm range, whereas the Fuji's is 28-300mm (all in 35mm "film" equivalence).

Hope this is helpful, and not water-muddying for you.

~YEKCIM

 

[jann1033]

i think the color swap is just different. before you could do it in camera somenhow ( i know my daughter's canon p & s has it)now you can do it after you take the photo but truthfully you can do most of the same stuff with a editing software program ( ie make b&w except 1 thing, change the color of something) if that is the deciding factor and you could buy photoshop elements 5 for under $100..

but i forgot the histogram though which i do use frequently... that would be nice if you want to get out of the auto mode. so the histogram and better shutter lag, plus you do have one more mp, which might not be a big deal in a larger mp camera but you are at 5 other wise ( even though maybe you'd never make a larger copy it gives you a little more elbow room ) and the little larger lcd screen( i hate my little dinky 1.8 on my rebel... it is to small), so i'd go probably for the s3. the only thing is i seem to recall a few on here didn't like the sport mode..it might have just raised the iso so it had a lot of noise but just cause it's there doesn't mean you have to use it. rebel xt is still pushing 600 ( and that doesn't even really start the cost due to lenses)

I'm excited for you..make sure you post some photos!