Digital camera question---Canon S2 IS

[Dan Murphy]

Anybody have one? Or opinions?

I am looking to get a newer digital (current, though good, is from '01), one with a more powerful zoom along with image stabilization. I have read up on the Sony-DSC-H1, the Panasonic FZ5 and the Canon mentioned above.

I have also considered a DSLR, but do not want the bulk or weight, plus no preview LCD (obviously). My pictures do not require the almost instant shutter response a DSLR provides, yet these 3 do seem to give acceptable response.

Any thoughts??

TIA.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Dan,

We just recently went thru this exact same process, choosing between these cameras in this class.

The bottom line.... I was considering the Canon S1-IS (not the S2), as it is much cheaper.

That all ended the moment I walked into a good camera store, and actually had both cameras in my hands....

The SONY H1 instantly became my camera of choice! It has excellent auto-focus assist for operation in low ambiant lighting, an excellent fully powered flash, excellent image stabilazation, And, it takes only two rechargable AA batteries, which is great. No proprietary batteries to worry with! Best of all.... the thing does not take several seconds to fire after you press the shutter release. This thing shoots like a gun. I know you mentioned that you do not need that instant shutter release... But, imho, unless you are only taking 'still-lifes', then a lag of just a few seconds can be a problem.

The only, ONLY, drawback that I have heard about on the Sony, is that it can have a bit more 'chromatic abberation'. I think that this might show up a bit on shots in the most difficult bright back/lighting conditions. But, if this is the only drawback, then hey, that's pretty darned good. I'm not complaining.

I hear that, technically, the Panasonic is the lense to beat. (as far as specific tests on image detail clarity) But, just from reading up, as you are doing now, this camera was just not the one for me. There are too many other factors, like lag time, trueness of color, etc.....

I was hooked on the Sony the first time I picked it up in a camera store, snapped a picture of my son, zoomed in to his face, from about 15 feet, and that camera fired like a gun... The photo even picked up where you could see the little blueish veins in the skin in DS's eyelids.

And, NOPE, I did not buy my Sony in the camera store. I searched and found it MUCH cheaper online. : )

Good luck choosing a camera!!!

 

[SplshMtn99]

Oh no. I hope this thread doesn't end up costing ME some $$$$$$.

Just looked at some sample photo galleries on http://www.pbase.com/ for those cameras. Nice!!!!!

 

[always quiet]

No camera advice here Dan, but I just have to say that after seeing (many times! ) the photos that you take, I can't imagine any other camera doing a better job! IMHO, it the photographer (you!! ) that make the picture. (BTW, any photo threads coming in the near future?? )

 

[nicurn]

I have the canon s1 sl or whatever it is and I LOVE IT! I love the continous shoot feature.. although, that does get me into trouble and I end up with oh 800 pictures. (ask spinning). Seriously though, we took it to disney and got some great firework pictures, I love the image stabilizer and it's not too big to carry around. I have also gotten some fantastic shots of the kids irish dancing...leaping in the air, high kicks, etc. maggie

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thanks for the good insights so far. Interesting.

I am leaning toward the Canon, out of these three, because it has an aticulated LCD preview screen. That one feature is so important to me; my current camera is a 'split body'. enabling me to get some unique perspectives and view points. But some of the specs and features on the other two make them very worthwhile choices also. Hope to get some more thoughts.

Thanks, Colleen. I do have some ready to post, just not getting around to it, been sort of busy of late.

 

[oogieboogie]

Dan, I have the Canon S1 IS which is the predecessor to the S2 and I love mine, even for a 3mp. The Canon S2 is an improvement over the S1 - Canon really took the consumers' grievances and fixed it in the S2, the most important feature - the AF assist light that the S1 was lacking in.

I wouldn't hesitate getting the S2, I like the hefty weight of the S1 & S2, it doesn't feel like a cheapo camera that is easily breakable. I like the tilting LCD screen, makes it so much easier to take shots from above the crowds (especially when you're short like me... on you it'll be even easier.) I like the image stabilization - that's really important when using long-zooms.

Check out what people are really saying down at dpreview: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1010

and at the Canon forum: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

these people really know their stuff.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thanks, OB, for those links and opinions. I will be stopping at Best Buy or similar to look at them hands on. Any others??

 

[elgerber]

My aunt recently bought the Canon, and she loves it!!!!!!!!!! I have a Panasonic, which I chose over the s1s, but if the S2 had been out then, I think I would have bought that one.

 

[SplshMtn99]

Oh Dan. DH is sitting here telling me to go buy a Canon S2 IS. Now you've done it.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I looked at the Sony and the Canon today. I like the size of the LCD on the Sony, but the swivel on the Canon. Why can't they get their heads together, LOL?

Here is a side-by-side............

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/com...byside&cameras=canon_s2is,sony_dsch1&show=all

 

[WDWNewbie]

My neighbour has the S1IS (3.2mp) and I have the s500 (5mp).

I absolutely LOVE my camera, but one day we both took some photos at a party and we were taking pics of friends dancing on the other side of a swimming pool.

Even tho my camera is 5mp--her camera took a much better photo--her zoom and IS feature made for really awesome pics. In my photo (on my max 3x optical zoom) the people looked like large specs--in her photo it was like she was right beside them). The 30 fps movies are great too. (She loves the swivel too--would be great for Disney parades!)

The S2IS will be even better than her camra. I would love to have one!

Happy Shopping!

 

[Lachesis00]

check out dpreview.com. You can compare cameras. I love that site!!