Ok Experts I want a new Camera!

[mcgrawfan]

I want to stress I just use my camera for vacation and candid home shots but I still like nice pictures. I currently have an Olympus Stylus 3.2MP digital camera. I would like to have more zoom, more MP (between 4-5 would be fine), a bigger display screen, and a faster shutter speed (i think that is what it is called) and probably image stabilization (if it is what I think it is...helps if you are a little shaky). That all I can think of.

TIA!
Kelsi

 

[jann1033]

before i got my dslr i was checking out pretty much what you want...the one i liked best was the canon S2IS or S3IS. it is reviewed as very good also and lots on here have posted photos with them and they are good. I was deciding between that and a panasonic ( dz7 or something similar, can't remember now but it's one on the link below) but it was to large for my hands
http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html

the link takes you to a page where you can scroll down where the large zoom P& s cameras are reviewed and you can check them out and see which look good to you.

 

[AbbysFamily]

I second that vote. I have a S2 and short of jumping to a SLR, it is a great camera. The S3 (or the S2 if you can find one) is a great choice.

 

[mcgrawfan]

before i got my dslr i was checking out pretty much what you want...the one i liked best was the canon S2IS or S3IS. it is reviewed as very good also and lots on here have posted photos with them and they are good. I was deciding between that and a panasonic ( dz7 or something similar, can't remember now but it's one on the link below) but it was to large for my hands
http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html

the link takes you to a page where you can scroll down where the large zoom P& s cameras are reviewed and you can check them out and see which look good to you.

I can't find the Canon S2IS Listed on that page. Maybe I am missing it? Can anyone sum up the differences between the two for me?

 

[jann1033]

I can't find the Canon S2IS Listed on that page. Maybe I am missing it? Can anyone sum up the differences between the two for me?

the s2 is the older model but you can still find it some places
link to s3 has link to s2 in the review
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/s3is.html

 

[ukcatfan]

I second the S2/S3. I had an S1 IS, and now DW has a S2 IS. I really like both of them. If you can save a decent amount with the S2 over the S3, I would go with it. The upgrade to the S3 was not a major one compared to the S1 to the S2. You will likely not miss any of the upgraded features. I believe that the S3 does add a live histogram if you are into that.

Also, I believe that you are talking about the shot recycle time and not the shutter speed. The shutter speed would be how long the shutter stays open to capture a shot. Unless you are shoting something very very bright, almost all cameras are fast enough in shutter speed. If you are talking about the recycle time(without flash), the S series are pretty quick. Using the flash slows all cameras down while the flash recharges. Go out and try one at a store to see if it works for you.

Kevin

 

[ukcatfan]

I can't find the Canon S2IS Listed on that page. Maybe I am missing it? Can anyone sum up the differences between the two for me?

You can select and compare them on this site: http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/compare.php?showall=1

There are also reviews of each if you click "Full Product Info" while you are comparing them. I believe the S3 review describes some of the changes.

Kevin

 

[mcgrawfan]

I second the S2/S3. I had an S1 IS, and now DW has a S2 IS. I really like both of them. If you can save a decent amount with the S2 over the S3, I would go with it. The upgrade to the S3 was not a major one compared to the S1 to the S2. You will likely not miss any of the upgraded features. I believe that the S3 does add a live histogram if you are into that.

Also, I believe that you are talking about the shot recycle time and not the shutter speed. The shutter speed would be how long the shutter stays open to capture a shot. Unless you are shoting something very very bright, almost all cameras are fast enough in shutter speed. If you are talking about the recycle time(without flash), the S series are pretty quick. Using the flash slows all cameras down while the flash recharges. Go out and try one at a store to see if it works for you.

Kevin

I have no idea what a live histogram is so I guess I am not into that. When I said "shutter speed" (I thought that was the wrong term) I am talking about having the picture take quicker. I have a 2 year old and it seems like she has to stay in pose for a little while and sometimes I miss the shot.

 

[ukcatfan]

Even without doing a half press pre-focus, these two cameras are pretty quick. It is always best to do the pre-focus if you can though. You have to go to a DSLR to get really fast performance without a pre-focus. As long as you keep the half press, you can take a number of fast shots in a row with the S2/S3. There is also a mode that takes many in a row by keeping the button down.

Kevin

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I think the term you want is "shutter lag" rather than "shutter speed." "Shutter lag" is the delay between when you tell the camera to take a picture and when it actually gets around to taking the picture.

 

[mcgrawfan]

I think the term you want is "shutter lag" rather than "shutter speed." "Shutter lag" is the delay between when you tell the camera to take a picture and when it actually gets around to taking the picture.

Thanks!

 

[DueyDooDah]

I think the term you want is "shutter lag" rather than "shutter speed." "Shutter lag" is the delay between when you tell the camera to take a picture and when it actually gets around to taking the picture.

And, of course, if it still does not work the way you like, then it's called "shutter bug".

 

[DVC Jen]

And, of course, if it still does not work the way you like, then it's called "shutter bug".

cute.... just don't give up your day job.

 

[jann1033]

the thing with the histogram is it will help you get better pictures...even though you may not think you'll use it now, if you decide to get more into it you will want it. depends on if you really aren't all that interested and more want it for snaps...but even then, it's not hard to use a histogram to see how your snap shot is. it's a good feature.

 

[brandt79]

I would second the S2/S3 (or maybe "ninth" it, at this point). I sent my S2 in for repair a few weeks ago, and apparently since they stopped making it in favor of the S3, they were unable to get the correct part, so I exchanged it for the S3. I love it - just as much, if not more, than I loved my S2.