New Camera - Canon S2is - Thrilled with it

[Josh (PA)]

I am by no means a 'good' or knowledgeable photographer, but I just picked up a Powershot S2 IS and love it. 5 megapixels and 12x optical zoom w/ image stabilizing. It's the perfect camera for me, I love to shoot nature shots, and didn't want to buck up for a full SLR with an IS lens. In good light I can hand hold at 12x and get nearly shake free shots. The menus and flexibility seem great, but to be honest, I haven't really dug into many of the modes yet. It also shoots 640*480 30fps video for up to one hour and you can separately capture stills while shooting video.

The files below are a couple of my recent shots from my back yard. Each one is hand held, at high zoom. The files are the raw jpegs from the camera with only some cropping around the subject matter. *Edit* Unfortunately I had to resize and degrade the jpegs to get them uploaded, hopefully they still get the point across

[hts]

awesome pix josh, thanks for sharing!

i too have been looking at the s2 for quite some time (long before it was released), but now i'm debating between it and the new sony (h1). i'm sure i'll buy one or the other in the next month or two.

congrats and best of luck (although by the looks of things, you obviously don't need any) with your new toy!

:thumbup:

[Josh (PA)]

awesome pix josh, thanks for sharing!

i too have been looking at the s2 for quite some time (long before it was released), but now i'm debating between it and the new sony (h1). i'm sure i'll buy one or the other in the next month or two.

congrats and best of luck (although by the looks of things, you obviously don't need any) with your new toy!

:thumbup:
Does Sony have an Image Stabilized lens? I can not get over how good Canon's IS technology is.

Thanks for the pic compliments.

[hts]

You're quite welcome.

Regarding the IS, the Sony has it as well (it's virtually mandatory on these super-zooms).

Here's Phil's (dpreview.net) summary conclusions:

Considering this is Sony's first foray into the increasingly crowded - and competitive - 5MP 'super zoom', whereas other manufacturers are already into their second or third generation models, the DSC-H1 is a very impressive, very mature product indeed. Handling is excellent, it's very fast and responsive and the results - even shooting in full auto mode with default settings - excellent. There are few cameras I can wholeheartedly recommend to both novice 'snappers' and experienced photographers, but the H1 is that rarest of beasts; a 'compact' camera with handling and control close to a DSLR, yet one that - even in inexperienced hands - can be left in 'idiot-proof' mode and trusted to produce the goods time and time again. And, like the S2 IS, it's capable of high resolution movies. Above all, the H1 is fun and easy to use, which means you will find yourself taking a lot more pictures, which has to be a good thing.

When compared with its competitors the H1 has to sit near the top of the tree; especially if you are someone who likes to actually use the many photographic controls offered by this type of camera. The Canon S2 IS (which is the most obvious direct competitor) has a smaller screen, but one that offers swing 'n' tilt versatility, has a better movie mode (in quality terms), but one that needs a lot of card space and restricts clips to around 7 minutes. The S2 IS is also slightly better at shooting moving subjects at the long end of the zoom (despite the H1 having faster focusing overall). On the other hand I prefer the output of the H1 - even at the default settings, and handling / control are much better on the Sony. As our comparison tests show, there is very little to choose between the two in terms of resolution, and both cameras produce results that, viewed at 100%, look a little 'soft' (with too much sharpening - especially the Sony).

The Panasonic FZ5 has very slightly better fine detail capture, less 'processed' looking results, suffers less from fringing (of any type), is a lot, lot smaller and has a the biggest, brightest electronic viewfinder of the three. It is also the fastest focusing of the trio (in 'High Speed' AF mode). But the FZ5 has an unimpressive movie mode, slightly fiddly manual exposure control and very destructive noise reduction at ISO 400.

In our admittedly rather unscientific image stabilization tests we found the H1 to be slightly less effective than the Canon or Panasonic, but there's not a lot in it.

Ultimately the choice when looking at this class of camera is a difficult one, and one that more often than not comes down to handling, personal preference (in terms of the actual output) and how important movie capture is to you. Having shot almost exclusively over the last few months with the three cameras compared here, plus the Konica Minolta Z5 and the Panasonic FZ20, there is no clear, overall winner, but - for photographers who like to take control, the H1 has to be the first port of call - and that big screen is a real bonus. If Sony sorted out the focus at the long end of the zoom (which, though fast, always overshoots before it finds its mark) and looked more closely at lens sharpness than software sharpening they'd have the perfect super zoom.

I just can't decide. It seems that if I wait until the *next* release, I suspect that either the Canon or the Sony will be just about perfect. Then again, do I really want to hang out with my current (3.1Mp DSC-S85) Sony for another 9-12 months?

:dunno:

Does Sony have an Image Stabilized lens? I can not get over how good Canon's IS technology is.

Thanks for the pic compliments.

[motordavid]

Josh: Excellent pics!
I have Zoom envy, lol!
BR,md

[BMWenthusiast]

wow, those are some awesome pictures.

[Josh (PA)]

Thanks everybody. I can't take much credit for the pictures, just cooperative subjects and a great camera. That was the point I was trying to make in the post, the dragonfly for instance was 15ft away and I was able to hand hold that shot in auto mode and get the results you see. The hummingbird was 30ft away and continuously moving. The butterfly was the only picture I could get close to and actually work on the layout before taking it. For fun, here's a few more samples. I've gotten better results out of a week and a half of this camera than I've gotten with all my older cameras combined...

HS: I've gotten a lot of use out of the swivel LCD, especially when shooting these kind of shots from non straight on angles. I find the LCD size fine and in viewing mode you can get some very clear zoom in looks at your pictures. I also know Canon has had IS technology on their binoculars and their SLR lenses for a long time. I'd expect it to perform better than Sony's initial offering, but I haven't compared so can't justify my opinion.

[Alex Baumann]

Very sharp images. It looks like the image stabilizer is working perfect. The prices are looking good too.

[hts]

Josh,

I do believe Canon has a leg up on Sony (and others) with their implementation of IS technology. I'm leaning toward the Canon (although I just saw that Dell is selling the G6 for $380!). What I'd really like is a 7 or 8Mp S2 IS for $500!

:bigpimp:

[iplayazi]

I just purchased the s2 canon and I love it. The digic II processor is sweet!
The Black and white picture is the camera setting on my colors.

[Alex Baumann]

I just purchased the s2 canon and I love it. The digic II processor is sweet!
The Black and white picture is the camera setting on my colors.

Impressive resolution.

Can you take a couple of car photos and post them here too?

Thanks :)

[iplayazi]

I took a few pics today of my car. Wasnt a good time of day but came out ok Check em out. They were downsized quit a bit. Hope you like em




http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a291/iplayazi/BmwReflect.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a291/iplayazi/Bmwstrret.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a291/iplayazi/Bmwside.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a291/iplayazi/symbol.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a291/iplayazi/Bmwstreet2.jpg

[spikes111]

Nice to see IS technology making its way into handhelds now. :thumbup:

[iplayazi]

Yes. This cameras great. You can zoom out 12x optical and 48x digital with IS and smack it right to 0cm super macro. Im happy with it.

[Josh (PA)]

Still playing with mine too. Here's a few samples of my dogs. Lighting was pretty tough for these, but the dogs are still cute.

[Clarke]

Beautiful landsharks!

[JByrd]

I am by no means a 'good' or knowledgeable photographer, but I just picked up a Powershot S2 IS and love it. 5 megapixels and 12x optical zoom w/ image stabilizing. It's the perfect camera for me, I love to shoot nature shots, and didn't want to buck up for a full SLR with an IS lens. In good light I can hand hold at 12x and get nearly shake free shots. The menus and flexibility seem great, but to be honest, I haven't really dug into many of the modes yet. It also shoots 640*480 30fps video for up to one hour and you can separately capture stills while shooting video.

The files below are a couple of my recent shots from my back yard. Each one is hand held, at high zoom. The files are the raw jpegs from the camera with only some cropping around the subject matter. *Edit* Unfortunately I had to resize and degrade the jpegs to get them uploaded, hopefully they still get the point across

Have you used the S2 to shoot any shots with a subject "in motion." Like a moving car - for instance.

I looking for something to take pics for my autocross site, next year, but I'm not serious enough about it to invest in an SLR - Yet anyway.

[johnny420]

Have you used the S2 to shoot any shots with a subject "in motion." Like a moving car - for instance.

I looking for something to take pics for my autocross site, next year, but I'm not serious enough about it to invest in an SLR - Yet anyway.
If you plan on shooting any kind of action phtography, an SLR is a much better choice. Much quicker autofocus, superior low-light performance and just more responsive in general. Exactly what you need to capture fast-moving subjects.

Not to say a good compact or prosumer won't do the job, you'll just have more success and an easier time of it with the SLR. They're also pretty affordable now (Rebel XT, Nikon's offerings, Pentax, Olympus, etc.).

[Patrick]

I just bought a Canon S2 IS, 1 GB SD card, re-chargable batteries and a carrying case for my Dad - birthday gift. I am sure that he will enjoy it, as he liked using my wife's PowerShot G6 this summer.

The S2 seems like an excellent camera. Nice pics Josh.


.

[Josh (PA)]

Thanks Patrick,

The camera has been phenomenal since I've had it and my photography has gotten better over the last few months too. Here's a few more pics (again scaled down so the board would host them)...

Thanks for the compliments...

[Patrick]

Very nice, Josh! :thumbup:

It seems that you have a lot of excellent wildlife subject to photograph. BTW, is that a Viper? :eek:


.

[3!mmerguy]

i have an S2is as well and i am enjoying it so far. i am still learning everything it can do. i was wondering if there is a way that you can get rid of the delay from when i press the button and when the picture is taken?

[former230]

i have an S2is as well and i am enjoying it so far. i am still learning everything it can do. i was wondering if there is a way that you can get rid of the delay from when i press the button and when the picture is taken?


I am not sure if this is the problem, but are you shooting in manual mode and perhaps have the shutterspeed set to something slower? I just got an S3 IS based on the great reviews and great pics seen above with its predecessor, and I had some problems with the same thing when in manual mode, but i hadn't played with it long enough to see what options were on it that could be causing it. I plan on reading the manul all the way through to see what options I have and what effect they have on the camera's performance . I didnt notice this as much with the auto mode...I just need to read up more.

[3!mmerguy]

yeah i have been shooting in manuel, i will try playing around with it some and i will let you know how everything turns out. hope you are enjoying your new camera!!!!!

[3!mmerguy]

^^^^^^^^^^^

just to add to what i said......i played with it some after i posted the last thread, and i feel i fixed the problem i had. i cant get the specifics to you right now, because i am in class, but please let me know if you are interested in what i did, and i will be more than happy to let you know!!!!

[Chris90]

yeah i have been shooting in manuel,

I see Manuel gets around, he's not just in car transmissions. :)