Canon S2 IS--Any Experiences?
 

I've been thinking a lot about digital cameras lately, and although my Kodak LS433 Camera works great, I need a second camera with a larger optical zoom and with a bit higher resolution.

I travel a lot, so I don't want too much bulk... Anyone have any good and/or bad experiences with the Canon S2 IS?

Looking at the same camera!
 

I've been looking at this camera myself, and compared it to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5.

The Panasonic is smaller and takes a lithium battery.

The Canon is larger, but is more sturdy, has a rotating screen, and takes AA batteries (some see this as a positive, others as a negative).

Both use SD memory, though that is cheap now, so that does not matter too much.

Both have 12 X optical zoom. I like these as a second camera, as they are too bulky to carry around all the time (the Elphs are great for that).

I am not sure when Canon will release an S3-IS, with perhaps a 7 MP sensor, but 5 MP should be plenty for most. The camera did reportedly have some problems, but I believe these have been addressed. It's still quite popular.

I think I'll bite the bullet soon and go with the Canon. My Elph took great pictures (and still does, though with a cracked LCD, I cannot review the images until I download them).

Here are a couple of links to check out:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons2is/
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/read...key=canon_s2is

Fuzz

I have the Canon and love it. Metering/Focus/Shoot is fast and the only time the pictures come out "bad" is when I mess with the settings. Battery life is excellent (especially with rechargeable Li-ion cells) to the point that I can't remember when I last charged the batteries.

My only gripe, and this is a big one in my book, is that the lens cap doesn't lock in place. That means that in my luggage the cap will eventually work itself loose. Fortunately, I noticed this problem the first time I packed it and solved it with a rubber band around the body. It has proven to be a further problem when my wife carries the camera in her purse ... lots of accidental finger prints on the lens.

Overall, I'm very happy with it and it serves its purpose. I'm in the market for an ultra-compact camera that I can just toss into my bag and think that I'm going to pickup one of the elphs when I'm in HKG next weekend.

Alright, so I'm right at the cusp of purchasing a Canon S2IS; however, looks like Sony's offering a $50 rebate on their DSC-H1. I've gone to BestBuy countless times in the last 48 hours trying these cameras out, but favor the Canon slightly better because of the good video capabilities and the swivel lcd.

So, based on the difference in price, would it be worth it save $50 and get the Sony?

One thing which might sway you one way or the other is which devices you have already. The Sony will use proprietary Memory Stick for its memory, while the Canon uses Secure Digital memory.

Both are very good cameras. Memory is relatively cheap, but if you already have a bunch of one type or the other, it could push you to pick the one which uses the memory you already have.

The Sony takes 2 AA batteries (which come with it) and the Canon uses 4 (which you have to buy).

I think the swivel screen is a nice plus. Now, when will the S3 IS be announced? :confused:

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, the camera I'm using now has Compact Flash. So, even if I purchased either one, I'd still end up needing new memory.

Still undecided. Anyone else have any thoughts, please?

Yeah, my camera has Compact Flash, too. most are moving away from it, except professional SLRs...

No experience with this retailer, but here's a link to Tristate, which has the Sony camera for 349.99 after rebate. Beware of the notorious Brooklyn shops, which offer prices too good to believe, but then try the bait and switch, offering to sell you ridiculously overpriced memory, etc. The Sony seems a bit cheaper than the Canon right now.

The Canon seems more durable, if that sways you, though it also will be bulkier.

Canon S1 IS
 

I have the Canon S1 IS (3 mp) - the S2 just came out not too long ago. I love mine. I bought it earlier this year specifically for a trip this Fall to Spain and Portugal (wanted to have some time to play with it first!). I was sold on the Image Stabilizer, the image screen that can go in so many directions (although in actuality, I tend to use the viewfinder more often than not), and the feel of the camera -- it seems really balanced in my hand.

I was pretty concerned about the lens cap when I first got the camera, but I bought a case from Canon that is pretty form-fitting. The cap won't come off while it's in there, and when I wasn't using the case, I simply had it slung over my neck or shoulder. I really didn't have as much problem as I expected to.

The Image Stabilizer comes in really handy when the light is a little low, or when the photographer is a little unsteady - which I am by nature, and really am when I'm on a ship or in wind. But it does eat up batteries when it's on, so you might want to keep it off unless you need it. I find the zoom to be really nice -- I've got a really good shot of a bridge over the Guadalquiver that was taken from the Cathedral tower in Seville, and I've done some pretty nice close-ups using it.

I went to Best Buy to hold the camera, then bought it on line from one of the websites at NWA Mall for the extra miles, and cheaper to boot.

I have the S1 IS and love it as well. I purchased the adapter to be able to use filters with the camera. If you leave the adapter on, you can use a normal lens cap. It's will no longer fit in the nice form fitting Canon bag, though.

MichaelCharlie, I have noticed only a negligible effect on the battery life while using the IS. Can you really tell the difference?

Truthfully, I was told that the reason my batteries don't last is because of the IS (I was going through 4 AA almost every other day). I haven't had a chance to test for myself. I do know that the next trip I will have more memory cards with me and rechargeable batteries --I just need to find something that will work in US and overseas.

B&H Photo is a reliable outlet. I have rarely seen their prices beaten.

As to the Canon, my son and another son's girlfriend both have these and are very happy with them. They have gone to Russia and Croatia respectively with them. The owners are both in their 20's and travel ruggedly ...

The photos under all conditions were of good quality.

I sat through 368 photos of St Petersburg taken in all kinds of weather and levels of sobriety! :D

I don't know the Sony product.

One of my favorite features of the Canon is the panorama mode. The camera will display a portion of each photo in the viewfinder to help you line them up, and the Canon software does a great job stitching them into a Quicktime VR. I'm not sure whether the Sony does the same thing.

Consider the Panasonic FZ5 as well. It has a very similar feature set to the S2 IS, and these to cameras are generally thought to have the best picture quality by folks on DPReview (the FT for digital photography). I chose the Panasonic and have been very happy with it.

Well, I finally decided on the Canon to be the perfect addition to my LS443. Ordered through Crutchfield, so if I don't like it or things go bad during the first few weeks, I'll be returning it for the Sony. Thanks to all for your suggestions! (^)

How about the Fuji?
 

Slightly OT, but has anyone had any experience with the Fujifilm S5200? I have seen it compared to the Canon S2 and would be interested to see what tipped you one way or the other.

--DD73