Canon S3

[mikey20]

Hi everyone,
I've spent some time lurking on this board and now have a question for you guys. My fiance and I have come to the decision that we are going to be buying a digital camera before our upcoming trip to WDW (80 days!!!!!!)
We had orginally planned on just buying the s2 and then I found out that the s3 was coming out. Is there a real reason that I should be purchasing the s3? (aside from the fact that its black, bigger screen and more megapixels, and something about better video recording)

Second question: We live in canada and i'm not so sure as to where I should purcahse this camera. We have been to the big box stores and they seem to have cleared out all of the s2's already. And will we be able to purchase the S3 may 13 also?(I thought that this was the release date) I would rather buy this camera sooner than later just because i need some time to play with it first. Or is their a reputable online Canadian dealer to buy from??

Any help is appreciated and im sorry if i've rambled on for to long.

Thanks Michelle

 

[Greg K.]

The S3 will let you push up to ISO 800, which can be a big help for shooting in lower light.

Whether that, along with the sleek gunmetal color and extra megapixel, is worth the extra $150 or so it will cost is open to debate.

The only review I've read so far gave the ISO 800 a decidedly hostile reception -- too noisy, evidently. While otherwise praising the camera's performance and photo quality, the reviewer didn't seem to see a significant difference from the S2.

Our resident Canadian guru, Kelly, can help point you to a dealer north of the border...

 

[YEKCIM]

Primary advantages of S3 over S2:

ISO 800 max, vs 400 on S2
6MP, vs 5MP on S2
2.0" LCD vs 1.8" on S2

There may be others, but these appear to be the major differences.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/com...byside&cameras=canon_s2is,canon_s3is&show=all

Are these differences worth $176 to you? (Compared current pricing on both models @ butterfly photo).

I'm sure you would be happy with either model, but only you can decide if the differences are worth the extra money.

~YEKCIM

 

[mikey20]

Thanks for the quick replies. My other concern is that if i purcahse an older model and i need warranty is there going to be a problem?

Id still love to hear any advice on where to purchase in Canada

Thanks

 

[YEKCIM]

Michelle,

If you buy new, from an authorized Canon dealer (not eBay, or gray market) you should have no problems with warranty. Canon is replacing the S2 with the S3, but that does not mean that they won't warranty the remaining S2 models out there on the market!

Hopefully, Kelly will weigh in with some suggestions on Canadian retailers.

~YEKCIM

PS: I'll look for ya in July! We are going to be down there for a full week, thanks in part to my company's annual meeting!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

When I buy a camera, I always buy from a brick-and mortar store, specifically my friend's store. It's not about the price (her price is higher than B+H) but it's about 'just-in-case' situations such as DOA. Also for P&S, Canon Canada only covers Canon Canada Authorized Dealer items. So no eBay, no B+H and so forth. The all-North American warranty only applies to prosumer and professional items (not even RebelXT and its accessories.

Whether S3 vs S2 worth the extra money? Well, I need the extra high ISO, the higher the better. Yes, the ISO800 on S3 is unimpressive, but it's still a tiny bit cleaner than ISO400 on the S2, also it can be cleaned with Imagenomic Noiseware Community Edition (freeware) very easily. I would pay for the extra ISO capability, I would pay for the black/gunmetal colour. I wouldn't pay for the 0.2" screen size difference nor would I pay for the 1 MP difference. Forget about video.

So the answer lies whether you think you'll need ISO 800. I do (I take pictures up to ISO 3200 on my 30D, and ISO 6400 on ocassions), so it's worth the money for me. If that's not a concern to you, stick with the S2 because the other differences are so minimal it's laughable.

 

[hemispheredancer]

Like everyone else I was having issues with that stupid cap falling off. I took a itty-bitty piece if Dr. Scholl's moleskin and stuck it to the inside edge of the cap. It stays on snug enough but loose enough to pop off when the camera is turned on (not to burn the motor). Just thought I would share that in case anybody wants to try it. It really does work!

 

[Judge Fudge]

I have the S3 but the cap stays on snug. Although I don't use it anymore because I got a lensmate lensadapter and keep a filter of some sort on all the time. I paid $1.95 for a lens cap which snaps into place. I'm much happier and feel more secure about the lens being behind UV glass that I can just replace if I have a mishap.

Good idea though, I'm a huge fan of little hacks.

 

[Tracks N Slabs]

Thanks for both tips . I like the lensmate, thats a great tool, but the mole skin is perfect too. The lens cap has really been my only complaint with the camera.

 

[vamassey1]

I'm fairly new to this board but I have been lurking. I just purchase the Cannon S2. I'm planning to try it out on Friday. My old camera was a Kodak Easyshare so I've got a lot to learn. My daughter is on her school dance team and is dancing at the Pep rally on Friday. Any pointers? I know I'll need to go with a high ISO since it will be indoors. I was thinking of using the Tv setting. Any help is much apprieciated.

Vanessa

 

[Judge Fudge]

IMO Tv will be good because you aren't worrying about depth of field, I assume. Try to keep the iso at 200 if you plan to view the pictures on the computer. If you are printing, 400 should be ok but not great. Maybe the lighting will be better than you think?

Also a tripod might come in handy, if you zoom way in.

 

[jann1033]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1096833&referrerid=93883&highlight=concert++pictures
this thread has tons of info and you can also
do a search for "concert pictures"...i know there have been tons of threads about it...

never done it myself but i know some were used to post here were experts ( pros) and posted about it a number of times

 

[JR6ooo4]

Nothing wrong with a little motion blurr in movement shots.but you do want the face clear. Look for pauses in the action to get shots as well.
If it is dark try to zoom more on the subject(s).
Mikeeee

 

[vamassey1]

Thanks for all the tips. Since I'll be inside and a good distance away I shouldn't use flash right?

 

[geetey]

This thread is about concert pictures with the S2. Maybe this will help. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1185238

 

[vamassey1]

Thanks Geetey, that really helps. I won't be that far away but I'm going to start with those settings.

 

[JR6ooo4]

On board flash only goes a short distance. and then usualy the subject is lit and not the background
and when I shoot theater flash is never allowed. Get there on rehearsal nights to use a flash. Go ealry to learn the show, like when they are all posed nicely. Then go during dress rehearsals to get full costume.
then you are more ready to tackle no flash show nights...

but who has time for all that?
heheheheee
Mikeeee

 

[vamassey1]

This is just a pep rally so I don't think they'll care if I have a flash. DD will just be happy I'm there and taking pictures of her.

Okay next hurdle, pictures while they are dancing on the football field? Same settings? I'll be farther away but they should be well lighted by those "Friday Night Lights".

Vanessa

 

[wvjovifan]

Hey, cool tip! I am going to go home and try that!!! That lense cap always falls off!!! Thanks

 

[kami2199]

Hi everyone,

I just recently purchased a canon S2 and now I'm thinking I better upgrade memory. I currently have up to a 512 card. Will this card work ok in there or do I absolutely need a bigger one? Any tips are greatly appreciated. The canon should be here tomorrow so I haven't had a chance to try it out yet.

Thanks