Comparing Canon digital cameras

[fan_of_small_world]

Hi! I'm new over here, but hope to join in more once we purchase a new camera. I'm very new to all this, though, so any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm hoping for some thoughts and advice on getting a new Canon digital camera.

My goal for the camera is two-fold:

First, I want something that I can use when taking the "everyday" family-type photos. The kind that end up in the family photo album. I want a camera that allows pics to be taken without much time between shots. Especially with kids, I don't want to miss the moment because I couldn't shoot fast enough.

Second, I love photography and would like to be able to experiment a bit with taking the next level of photos. Not too artsy (yet), but more than the usualy "say cheese" type of pictures. Does that make sense?

I am strictly looking at Canons, but I'm having a hard time understanding the differences between several of the models. So far, I've looked online at the S2 IS, the A630, and the SD430. They were all on consumer reports. I'm not even sure these are still readily sold, but I assume that even if not, then slightly newer versions are.

Thanks so much to anyone who has any suggestions!

 

[campinggal]

I'm happy to start helping!

I currently own a Canon A630 as my 'everyday portable' camera (I also have a Nikon DSLR for my hobby use). I've been extremely happy with the A630.

It has been great for kid shots. There is still a slight lag at times- when kids are moving fast or the flash is recharging but for the most part, you can plan for that by 'pre-focusing' or using the 'kids and pets' setting. It really isn't much of a lag because if it was- I'd have no patience for it!

I love the swivel LCD screen- it has come in handy on 'over the crowd' shots or when the pic you want is at an odd angle. That would be one plus over SD430.

While the A630 is 'chunkier' than the SD430- I like how it feels in my hand- I get a good grip on it but even with the 'chunikiness'- it is easy to put in my purse.

There is a crew of folks on this board who love the S2 IS or now S3 IS series. I'm sure they'll chime in to help too. That is even bigger than the A630 so it isn't totally great to throw in your purse but it does have a nice optical zoom that some really like.

All three are really good cameras- I think it really comes down to what features (size, zoom, LDC screen etc) are most important to you.

Happy shopping!

 

[polkadotladybug]

I wanted a new camera for the exact same two reasons that you posted - I ended up getting the Canon S3 IS - it's a superzoom camera - "fancier" than a regular point and shoot, yet not quite as high tech as a dslr (without the price tag as well). It has manual settings so I have taught myself different things along the way - I just got it in April, so I still have a lot to learn!

It's a great "in-between" camera - I think. I wasn't quite ready to get into all the different lens, etc nor was I ready for a 700-900 dollar investment.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

Thank you! It's helpful to hear from people who actually use the cameras, as opposed to having to listen to the salesperson pitch whatever one they have an incentive to sell that month!

 

[polkadotladybug]

I just noticed - my photo in my siggy was from my Sony camera - not from my fancy new Canon - we just got back from WDW and I've been too overwhelmed with laundry to do much with the over 1300 photos I took - LOL!

 

[polkadotladybug]

Also wanted to add - the Canon S3 has a 12x zoom - it is amazing how close you can get - my old Sony has a 3x and it pales in comparison.

 

[Master Mason]

with what your looking for, and if your only looking at canon, then I would say you should get the s3 IS.

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Like polkadotladybug, we were looking for a "step-up" camera and I was not prepared to drop lots of cash with the "promise" of needing to spend more and more as the "lens bug" bit me (as I know it would) for a DSLR.

After doing a lot of research, I chose the Canon S3 IS; and, I've been *very* happy with it. It's got a great set of features (long zoom, excellent video, great Image Quality (IQ), long battery life, and it's fast in regards to both low shutter lag and high-speed continuous shooting).

As far as IQ goes, the Canon and Sony cameras use similar small sensors, so there no huge difference between the pics. I picked the Canon because of it's features and because I found myself preferring the Canon's pics in any comparison I did on the various digital camera review websites.

The Canon S5 (the successor to the S3) is almost on the market, but the general consensus on the camera forums is that it won't be markedly superiour to the S3; at least not enough to warrant the extra $200 they'll be charging for it.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

Thanks to everyone who has responded so far!

I'm going to go today to look at them "in person," and it's great having some advice beforehand. Of course, I'll probably have more questions when I get home, lol!

 

[DueyDooDah]

I'm going to go today to look at them "in person," and it's great having some advice beforehand. Of course, I'll probably have more questions when I get home, lol!

Whatever you do, don't pick up a Canon 30D while you are at the store. Your choices will then become much more expensive.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

The Canon S5 (the successor to the S3) is almost on the market, but the general consensus on the camera forums is that it won't be markedly superiour to the S3; at least not enough to warrant the extra $200 they'll be charging for it.

I went to Best Buy just to take a look (I won't be buying from them). The S3 is there w/ a price tag of $349, and then the salesperson pulled out an S5, which is listed at $500. He said that the big difference is that it's an 8-megapixel, I believe, versus the 6-megapixel that the S3 has. I'm not convinced that I really will need the better megapixels, especially if the price is $150 extra.

However, I really did like the S3. It felt good to hold, I like that the LCD opens and turns, and the zoom was AMZING! For someone who will be taking pics of kids on the field, on the stage (dance), etc., it seems like a perfect fit. I also felt that the controlls were placed in better positions than on some of the other Canons I saw.

Whatever you do, don't pick up a Canon 30D while you are at the store. Your choices will then become much more expensive.

Hmm, did my DH tell you to say that?

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

I went to Best Buy just to take a look (I won't be buying from them). The S3 is there w/ a price tag of $349, and then the salesperson pulled out an S5, which is listed at $500. He said that the big difference is that it's an 8-megapixel, I believe, versus the 6-megapixel that the S3 has. I'm not convinced that I really will need the better megapixels, especially if the price is $150 extra.

You can get the S3 on-line for about $278, now.

Personally, I *don't* think you need the extra megapixels. I've seen a couple of 100% crops from people comparing S5's to S3's and the S3 looks to have a slight edge in image quality (IQ). The DIGIC III processor might have some advantages over the DIGIC II, but more MP on the same size sensor apparently does mean more noise. The S5's flash hot shoe is a neat feature to have if you want to use external flash units, though ... you can only use a slave flash with the S3.

However, I really did like the S3. It felt good to hold, I like that the LCD opens and turns, and the zoom was AMZING! For someone who will be taking pics of kids on the field, on the stage (dance), etc., it seems like a perfect fit. I also felt that the controlls were placed in better positions than on some of the other Canons I saw.

The flip-out/folding LCD is a great feature. It allows me to frame a lot of shots from more interesting angles -- like really low to the ground, or held high above my head -- and still get a good idea of what the composition of the pic is.

432mm (the 35mm eqivalent) is a LOT of zoom (and, you can boost it to 665mm with a Raynox 1.54x TeleConverter), and the IS helps make sure that your pics are rock-steady even at the far end.

The S3 is a great camera for outdoor sports, but indoors it suffers a little from having a small sensor. You'll have to work a little harder (using manual settings) to get good action pics indoors, or use the higher ISO settings and something like Noiseware Community to clear up the sensor noise. You'll still get 4x6-printable pics, though ... however, 8x10's are less likely as the light goes down on the action.

Still night shots (long shutter times) look great on the S3, as you can keep the ISO down at 100 or 200....

 

[Lachesis00]

I have read nothing but excellent reviews on the S3 IS. I have seen photos from concerts and they are amazing.

 

[Donaldfan81]

I was just looking at some different cameras to buy as well and i decided on the S3 myself. IT seems like a great camera and really feels good in my hands. Anyway amazon has a $50 dollar rebate for the s3 going on right now its either a mail in or online one. I didnt read this right so i will clarify. The rebate is only when you also purchase a canon printer with it. Sorry.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

Again, much appreciation for all of the info.

Another question...

One type of shot I'd like to be able to take an extreme close-up of a small object. How does the S3 perform on this? I tried at the store, but didn't have enough time to figure out how to get a good focus on something very small. Is it just a matter of learning the right way to set up the camera, or is that something that only DSLRs do?

And, speaking of DSLRs, DH actually said at dinner that maybe we should look at that instead! So, we took a quick look at the EOS Digital Rebel XT and XTi. Niiiiiiiice!

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

One type of shot I'd like to be able to take an extreme close-up of a small object. How does the S3 perform on this? I tried at the store, but didn't have enough time to figure out how to get a good focus on something very small. Is it just a matter of learning the right way to set up the camera, or is that something that only DSLRs do?

It's called macro photography. Most digital cameras can do it, and the S3 is one of the best of the "bridge" cameras at it. It will focus on an object that is actually 0mm from the lens ... *actually touching* ... but, I wouldn't recommend doing that.

Over on the Digital Camera Resource Page forums, there's a long thread about S3 pictures and there's LOTs of great insect and flower macro pics to see....

I LOVE macro photography, and you can buy lenses and filters that increase the magnification of your S3.

And, speaking of DSLRs, DH actually said at dinner that maybe we should look at that instead! So, we took a quick look at the EOS Digital Rebel XT and XTi. Niiiiiiiice!

Don't forget, though. Buying a DLSR isn't just buying a camera ... it's buying into a system and there'll always be another lens to buy!

One other thing to consider, to get the "reach" of the S3 on a DSLR requires a fairly large and expensive 300mm lens ... several hundred bucks for the lens, itself....

If you've got the money, any DSLR (and, the Canon's are *great*) will outperform *any* P&S ... but, if you're on a budget you should first look into the cost of the accessories that you'd want/need....

 

[meliahz]

Subscribing! ~ I'm looking for a digital camera (Canon) and am finding this thread to be very helpful!

 

[PaulD]

I have the S1 IS, a 30D, and the original Digital Rebel. I have to admit that I almost never use the S1. That's not because it's not a great camera (it is) but because the dSLR is just a whole lot better.

Something that nobody has mentioned yet is that you cannot get nice shallow depth of field with a point and shoot camera. If you want to be able to do some of the more creative things as you learn more then you really need the larger sensor of a dSLR. It is this larger sensor that allows for the out of focus background effect that is so important in portrait photography.

Here's an example of what I mean.

BTW, I do use my S1 for it's video function. I'm always amazed at how well these videos turn out.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

Paul, thanks for your input. You brought up something that's been on my mind as we've started looking around.

DH and I have started seriously considering a DSLR instead of the S3 (we're not looking at the S5 we decided). We realize that the cost is significantly higher, but we're pretty sure we'll want one later anyway.

My only hesitation is that I won't carry the SLR around as much as I would a point-and-shoot. But, if I accept that the camera bag will replace the diaper bag I haven't had to carry in a while, maybe it won't be an issue, lol.

And the photo in your post is wonderful!

 

[PaulD]

My wife makes fun of me for having so many camera bags.

I see a lot of people carrying their cameras over their shoulder without a bag. I couldn't do that. I'm just too paranoid.

For what it's worth, I think you won't regret getting the dSLR. I think that it's much more fun to take photos with and the image quality is significantly better.

Thanks for the comment on my photo.