Canon S3

[DestinationDisney]

I just bought a Sony H5 a week ago and I LOVE it!!

I did about a LOT of research...everyone on here can vouch for me because I asked SO many questions! I had my choices narrowed down to the same cameras that you have in mind.

I suggest going to the different stores and trying out the cameras. Its a whole lot different once you have them in your hand and you'll see which one you are drawn towards. I immediately loved the Sony over the Canon. It was a lot easier to use and I liked having a bigger LCD screen. The menus are more "hidden" in the Canon and it just seemed too difficult for me to navigate.

A lot of people on this board are "Canon lovers" so I felt like I was trying to force myself to like the Canon but it just wasn't happening for me. The Sony really sold itself to me~!

 

[allyn]

i'm a canon lover. i'd recommend the canon. i don't have any experience with the H5, but my friends' experiences with sony have mostly been bad.

 

[AHenson77]

Thanks everyone for your input! I ended up going with the H5. I ordered it last night and will hopefully have it Tuesday. It looks like it works a lot like my Sony that I have now and that was a big deciding factor. At least I will have SOME idea how to work it. LOL

Tiggerfan, we leave exactly one week from today on 9-23 for our first ever trip to the world!

 

[grlpwrd]

I read a recent thread here and someone mentioned the S4 coming out soon. I already have a S2 which I love and I will pass on to my dd.

Anyone know if they are very little differences to them? I want to buy the S4 if it has better features, but not if it is worth the extra $$$.

Any insight? Thanks!

 

[allyn]

it seems like the S3 just came out. i wouldn't expect an S4 for another year. but i could be wrong too.

personally, i wouldn't wait.

 

[Anewman]

And then when the S4 is available you will hear rumors of the S5, it will never end.

meanwhile memories will go by uncaptured...


With any TECH items you have to go in understanding that next year(and the year after that), there will be models with better features at lower prices.

 

[grlpwrd]

Thanks, I see your points, but I was wrong - I don't have the S2. I actually have the S1. I am extremely pleased with it, but I want the S3 to take portraits, to print my own pics, and for ebay. I am actually thinking about taking pictures to sell postcards.

I have a $50 GC to Amazon so I ended up buying it.

 

[allyn]

when it came out the S2 was supposed to fix most of the shortcomings of the S1 and the S3 is supposed to be better than the S2. so if you liked your S1 you should really love the S3!

 

[PhotobearSam]

We have a Canon A-40 and want to upgrade but I don't want an DSLR yet...I was looking at the S3 IS and wanted some opinions on it...

Also, how much did you pay? Did you buy any Accessories for it? What did you buy? Is it worth it? What case do you use?


ALSO, what store do you think will have the best price? We are leaving in 2 weeks and I only want to buy once we are in the US...Do any of the stores price match?

Thanks for any input.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hey Sam!

I have the S2, almost the same, and like it a lot. I purchased no accessories with the camera. It really is a well featured camera, and a good value IMO.

How you guys doing??

 

[PhotobearSam]

Hi Dan, we are good, YOU?

RIchard's knee replacement had some complications but he is on the mend. It could take up to a year to get 90% but that is the situation. The motel had a good summer, and the new Kitten has been a handful but Richard loves him soooooo much.

We are heading down to WDW in a few weeks and can't wait. When is your next trip?

 

[Dan Murphy]

UGH, hoping Richard is doing well soon. Pass on a big for your big teddy bear.

Good to hear all is well otherwise. And all is fine here too, as far as I know, LOL. Next trip for me, planning on 12/1-12/11.

Get that S3!

 

[SplshMtn99]

We currently have an Olympus C750UZ. We are primarily AUTO mode people. I'm the person who takes most pictures, & I'm ok with using scene modes. And I have settings written down for things like night time Xmas lights. That's about my extent of adventuring into settings. lol

DH uses camera to snap a picture of the cat when he thinks she's cute. He's AUTO mode. Remembers to put on flash (sometimes more than I do), but doesn't always think about scene modes unless I suggest.

We use camera for outdoors (jetskiing/boating/fishing, hiking, WDW) & indoors (day & night) & of course all those night time WDW things like fireworks & parades. DH has trouble with focus because he forgets to press 1/2 way to focus. What can I say? I know a new camera is not going to fix HIM. lol

So....... I've read how great the Canon S3 is. But that AUTO mode is generally useless in low light. I suppose our current camera had a learning curve too. My dad's camera broke & is unrepairable as parts are no longer available. So, we would like to pass our old one to him. But I'm afraid about not liking the new one, then being without. Obviously, would get new one & try it before giving away old one. But what if I hate new one in 2 mths from now. ugh. I HATE CAMERA RESEARCH.

Anyway.....any S3 users here who use alot of AUTO/scene modes & not loving your results. Or did you feel forced into learning settings to really use the camera.

Thanks.

P.S. if you are going to suggest a different camera to me instead...is HAS to take rechargeable AA's & preferably SD or XD since we have TONS of all of this stuff. Won't consider propietory batteries or memory sticks. Sorry. lol We've been Olympus loyals (2 digitals) but nothing out right now that I like with great zoom. Canon still leary about. Everyone RAVED about the A85. So I bought it a couple of years ago for a nice little pocket camera. UGH....really bad grainy photos taken at a wedding. Returned it within a week.

 

[Amy]

I want to follow this thread - I ordered an S3 IS that's being delivered tomorrow. I'm dying to try out that 12x zoom!! I've been using a Canon A70 and DH has the A95 - his A95 takes way better pictures than my A70.

I'm like you - I have a few of my "favorite" picture modes that I use, but I still use a lot of Auto. I'll let you know what I think after this weekend - our boys are in marching band and we have an all-day competition Saturday. I'll be able to try it out in daylight and night (stadium lights), too. I'm hoping since I'm going from a Canon to another Canon the learning curve isn't too big!

 

[Amy]

Sam - I just ordered the S3 IS yesterday from Amazon.com - $345.99. Our local Best Buy had it on sale for $379, but they were sold out. Even with paying extra for overnight shipping (I'm impatient ), it still came out way cheaper, esp. since I didn't have to pay sales tax on Amazon.com. I didn't order the case with it - I looked at the reviews online, and some people liked the case and some hated it, said it was too small. I figured once I have the camera, I'll head to Best Buy where I can actually SEE the cases myself.

I didn't get any accessories, either, although I WILL have to pick up some SD cards; my current Canon A70 uses Compact Flash cards.

Hi Dan! Good to "see" you again!

 

[SplshMtn99]

Amy, I'm actaully thinking of going out today to buy it anyway.
PLEASE post or email me your AUTO mode pics....good & bad. I'll do the same if I take the plunge.

 

[makinorlando]

I have the S2-IS - not the S3, but I love it - I use it at Disney all the time - we live close by, and for stuff around home....

I have been very happy with my camera. I take many things in AUTO mode!

You can look at my link below to see m photobucket account. I took pics at MNSSHP on Friday, didnt' do too good with the parade, but I forgot to put it in Night Support mode.... Fireworks were taken with the fireworks mode - without a tripod or any other place to steady camera - totally hand held!

THe zoom is awesome!

 

[ukcatfan]

I do not have any experience with either camera, but I do have the Canon S1 IS (an older version). The IS is a huge advantage compared to the Olympus. It not only helps when zooming, but it also helps in wide angle shots with slow shutter speeds. It also has an AF assist lamp to help where the Olympus does not.

Also keep in mind that these cameras are seperated by about 2.5-3 years. The technology and the public's expectations have come a long way in that time. The Canon is likely better in Auto even though some people are critical of it.

The only way for you to know is to go and try one out. Most places will let you use your memory in a demo camera. Make sure that the demo camera is in good shape. Some of them are abused and not working correctly. Also, make sure the lens is clean before testing it.

I recently jumped ship from Canon to go with a Pentax DSLR, but I have been very happy with my Canons (A70, A520, and S1 IS). I have also had good experiences with Canon support. They gave me the A520 for free due to a recall of the Sony sensor on the A70. Do not let that problem influence you though. There were about five companies affected by that Sony sensor recall. There is a good chance that the sensor in your camera was not made by the brand of camera you own.

Kevin

 

[PhotobearSam]

I am in Canada so ordering through amazon is out due to high shipping and duties at the border.

 

[SplshMtn99]

I have the S2-IS - not the S3, but I love it - I use it at Disney all the time - we live close by, and for stuff around home....

I have been very happy with my camera. I take many things in AUTO mode!

You can look at my link below to see m photobucket account. I took pics at MNSSHP on Friday, didnt' do too good with the parade, but I forgot to put it in Night Support mode.... Fireworks were taken with the fireworks mode - without a tripod or any other place to steady camera - totally hand held!

THe zoom is awesome!

Thanks for the pics!! Now wondering if S2 would give less trouble than S3. (off to research difference)

And we'll have fireworks here Columbus Day weekend to try a camera out on.

Its also just occured to me that maybe I could give my dad our OLD OLD(circa 1999) Olympus D450 zoom. A very nice easy camera that really is all he needs. I remember it having some trouble at times with focusing. Need to test it out. Maybe it can be fixed. Never looked into it. Zooming in & out a bit always seemed to fix the problem.

That ways I could keep the Olympus C750UZ until I'm happy with new purchase. hmmmmmm