Question about Image Stabilization

[eeyoreforever]

Right now I have a Canon A95, but would love to upgrade to the S2-IS. I am still learning how to really use a camera (shutter, aperture) and have been experimenting quite a bit lately.

The main problem I am having right now is that almost every picture I take (except those in auto mode) have the little camera shake symbol on the LCD.

Does the image stabilization make a huge difference?

I love the thought of 12x zoom and the stabilization and am hoping that now with the S3 coming out I may be able to get a better price on the S2.

One more question, right now my camera uses the CF cards. I know the S2 uses the SD cards. Is one type of card any better than the other?

I'm really enjoying reading this forum everyday. It's now the first forum I check when I get on the DIS. You are all such awesome photographers and I you. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Razor Roman]

One more question, right now my camera uses the CF cards. I know the S2 uses the SD cards. Is one type of card any better than the other?

I dont know about the IS. But the only real difference in cards is the shape of them. They just save your pictures. There are all different speed ratings, but there is no "better", when comparing CF vs SD. (I wouldn't let it steer me towards a camera model, except because I ahve a few gigs of CF)

 

[Kelly Grannell]

The IS will easily give you at least a 1-stop advantage with a maximum of 3-stop advantage. Meaning is the slowest shutter speed you can use without having any camera shake is 1/30 sec, with the IS you can go at least as slow as 1/15 sec and if you're already a steady shooter to begin with you can go as low as 1/4 sec.

IS will make a HUGE difference when you zoom in.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I had a good number of CF cards also from my Nikon. With the 2S IS, I just bit the bullet, picked up a few gigs of SD's, they are pretty inexpensive now, and comparabel in price to the CF's, where in the past they were higher.

 

[mhutchinson]

IS will help reduce camera shape, when I can afford it I make sure it is built in to my lenses. It also means that little shake symbol won't come up as often.

Regarding the differences in the cards you mentioned, CF cards have a greater capacity available (because they are larger), other than that if you pick up cards that are equal to or less than 2GB size cards you can get the same specs whether they are CF or SD (my guess is that this too will change in the future). I have a personal preference towards CF because they give the illusion of being sturdier due to their extra bulk.

Mike

 

[eeyoreforever]

Thanks for the info. I have several CF cards, but that wouldn't stop my from purchasing the S2-IS.

My dd has been wanting a digital camera, so I could sell her mine(with all the cards) and then the S2 wouldn't be so bad on my pocketbook. And no, I'm not mean to sell it to her. She has been looking to buy one for quite some time now and she loves my A-95, so this would be a win-win situation for both of us.

I wonder if anyone will be clearancing this model out to make way for the S3 or if I should go ahead and get it while I can still find one.

 

[Greg K.]

Thanks for the info. I have several CF cards, but that wouldn't stop my from purchasing the S2-IS.

My dd has been wanting a digital camera, so I could sell her mine(with all the cards) and then the S2 wouldn't be so bad on my pocketbook. And no, I'm not mean to sell it to her. She has been looking to buy one for quite some time now and she loves my A-95, so this would be a win-win situation for both of us.

I wonder if anyone will be clearancing this model out to make way for the S3 or if I should go ahead and get it while I can still find one.

I'd be willing to bet that the price on the S2 will drop as they clear the shelves for the S3 -- but be ready to pounce. After a certain point, they'll disappear altogether (which happened with the S1 last year...you can't find it anywhere now.)

 

[ducklite]

I've got two digitals, ones basically a P&S, the other is a D-70. The Konica-Minolta takes SD cards, the Nikon uses CF. I prefer the CF, it's feels sturdier to me when I'm fumbling in the dark trying to get it inserted, or if I drop it.

Anne