New Camera Help!!!

[RBennett]

Ok, so I need some MAJOR help; professional and photographical. I am currently in the market for a new camera, and since I've been on the disboards here I have learned one major thing: more MP does not make a better camera. Having said that, I am now torn between 2 good cameras for what I am looking for and they are both praised. One is the ever popular Canon S3 IS and the other is the Sony H5. Now I have gone to a couple different websites to compare the two side-by-side, but it's all freaking greek to me. Would someone mind taking a look at this comparison and help me figure it out? I am wanting to take great Disney shots of my family on vacation, including the parades at night and the fireworks. Any suggestions or help would be GREATLY appreciated. Just send me the bill!

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_s3is%2Csony_dsch5&show=all

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

OK, I'll admit to being a little biased (maybe a lot ) because I've quickly become an S3 nut! I'm the guy who started the DIS S3 IS "family"

But, here's the biggest differences as I see them:

1. Size and weight, they're about the same.
2. They've got the same CCD size, so having more MP doesn't really help the h5.
3. The H5's got one more step of ISO.
4. They've got the same optical zoom, but the S3's got a 4X digital.
5. Both have IS.
6. The S3's got a better Macro mode (you can focus at 0cm ... *really* close).
7. The S3's got more White Balance options.
8. The S3's got more range of aperture.
9. The H5's got a slower shutter (good for really low-light w/tripod ).
10. The S3's got a faster shutter (good for outdoor action shots).
11. The S3's got a "superfine" mode (good for zooming/cropping pics).
12. They've both got similar modes to choose from.
13. They've both got movie modes; I don't know which is best from the data.
14. The H5's got a bigger LCD, the S3's is smaller but flips and rotates.
15. Both run off AA batteries. I know the S3 gets a lot of use from 4 ... don't know what battery life in the H5 is....

It seems to me that 3, 9 are clear H5 advantages. And, that 4, 6, 8, 10 are clear S3 advantages.

 

[RBennett]

Thank you so much. I think I may have just switched from a Sony man to a Canon freak! And like you said, the H5 has the advantage on 3 & 9, but just because the ISO has a higher possibility doesn't mean that the S3 is bad. I dunno. But the same I guess could be said for the H5. Just because the S3 may be better in some things, it doesn't mean that the H5 is necessarily bad. And the dilemma continues.

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Thank you so much. I think I may have just switched from a Sony man to a Canon freak! And like you said, the H5 has the advantage on 3 & 9, but just because the ISO has a higher possibility doesn't mean that the S3 is bad. I dunno. But the same I guess could be said for the H5. Just because the S3 may be better in some things, it doesn't mean that the H5 is necessarily bad. And the dilemma continues.

Yeah, I don't think either of them are *bad* cameras ... I'm sure they're both really very good (and, I KNOW the S3 is good! ). I doubt anyone would really be dissatisfied with either one....

As far as I've been able to tell, except in DSLRs having a High ISO isn't much of an advantage as ALL of them are so noisy (especially above 400) that they're pretty much un-usable without extensive Photoshopping/Noise Reduction Software....

There's also price ... I think you can get an S3 for about $330 or less, now.

 

[ukcatfan]

I am not an S3 owner, but I am a S2 and former S1 owner. It is hard to be disappointed with the "S" series for what it is. Even though I have a DSLR now, I still bring the S2 along with me to most places. The flip screen is really nice for me b/c I am on the short side so I can go over things with it. It is also nice to go low without having to get on the ground. I also found that I take more stable shots by bracing the camera against my stomach instead of holding it up.

Kevin

 

[Jeanne B]

I'm not familiar with the H5 but you'll find many S1/S2/S3 fans on here. There's been a lot of people on here buying the S3 for several months now so the has been spreading. I purchased the S3 last May after researching it on dpreview and some of the other photography boards and I've been very happy with it...the video capability, image stabilization, 12x zoom and flip-out screen are all great features. I've since purchased a DSLR but I often carry both with me, especially on vacations.

The S3 has been selling on Amazon in the $295-$315 range for the last few weeks (it can go up and down on a daily basis).

 

[Pea-n-Me]

May I suggest looking at websites that have pictures taken from both cameras (sorry, don't have a link). They're probably pretty similar, but sometimes it's just a gut feeling. Another thought is that with so many Canon S2/3 users here, you'll have lots of people who can help with questions (and I guarantee you'll have lots of questions with either camera )... Good luck!