Canon S2 IS -VS- Canon SD400 - Just read the damn post! uhhh pretty please!

[Epoman]

Ok so I bought the SD400 as many of you recommened and I love it except the flash is weak indoors and I wish It had a bigger zoom. Also the movie mode is uber cool
In general is takes great pictures IF YOU HOLD THE CAMERA REALLY STILL.

Anyway I was thinking of returning the SD400 and getting a S2 SI I really want the REBEL XT but I need to buy gas for my car

I know the cameras are in 2 different classes compact and full size but like my wife tells me size doesn't matter.





Anyway I checked the usual top review sites and they say it's a great camera but I wanted my peeps opinions. I really do want to stick with CANON, both cameras look really sexy. :thumbsup:

I will be using the camera ALOT for my sons school, I am the PTA yearbook chairperson this year and the 12X optical will come in handy.

Oh and I know about the new SD550 and SD450 but that just increases the LCD screen size to 2.5inch so that wont help the flash weakness.

Links for the lazy:

Canon S2 SI

Canon SD400

UPDATE:

Many people say this IS THE BEST battery charger out there. Anyone have this:

http://www.thomas-distributing.com/maha...erex-mh-c204w-nimh-battery-charger.htm

 

[tami]

S2 IS. if you haven't used SLR cameras, this is a good step that enables you to learn the manual features and to also shoot in auto-mode.

further, it's a sweet camera.

i own a powershot s500 and my husband owns the s200. we just got an S2 IS. he is loving it so much. with the 12x zoom, he couldn't be happier.

 

[PTCvette]

I have the SD200 as a backup to my rebel... Great cam, but there's no comparison in terms of quality. The S2 IS is a very nice cam too. That's probably what I would suggest you go with if you want movie mode and whatnot. I haven't played with the S2, but I have used the S1 and it was an awesome little camera.

 

[fs5]

size always matters. the best camera is the one that you have with you.
If you're going to carry around the S2 always then go for it.

 

[HN]

i'd really suggest getting both (i'll be doing the same).
one for portability to take with you anywhere anytime to take your everyday shots.
the other for more control when you are at a function or gathering (like a wedding).

 

[Epoman]

Originally posted by: tami
S2 IS. if you haven't used SLR cameras, this is a good step that enables you to learn the manual features and to also shoot in auto-mode.

further, it's a sweet camera.

i own a powershot s500 and my husband owns the s200. we just got an S2 IS. he is loving it so much. with the 12x zoom, he couldn't be happier.

GOD I love "Tami" she always replies to my digital camera questions. Your the best!
I too think it's a good step toward SLR I really want the Rebel XT but it does lack the movie mode so that's a plus for the S2.

Plus at staples I can get it for $439.99 No rebates Plus a free 256Mb SD card.

 

[tami]

glad to help.

definitely start saving up for an SLR though. they are NICE cameras

(btw, i'm all for canon in P&S, but i went for a nikon d70 for my SLR... kind of my dad's fault -- i wanted it because he had one.. lucky me, he sent me a few lenses that he no longer uses.. both are great brand names)

 

[Epoman]

Originally posted by: HN
i'd really suggest getting both (i'll be doing the same).
one for portability to take with you anywhere anytime to take your everyday shots.
the other for more control when you are at a function or gathering (like a wedding).

Yeah that's a great idea but I could get a Rebel XT for the price of those 2. But you and the poster above have great points. I think I will get the SD400 when it's $199 which is not too far off now that the SD450 is out and with DELL coupons.

 

[Epoman]

Originally posted by: tami
glad to help.

definitely start saving up for an SLR though. they are NICE cameras

(btw, i'm all for canon in P&S, but i went for a nikon d70 for my SLR... kind of my dad's fault -- i wanted it because he had one.. lucky me, he sent me a few lenses that he no longer uses.. both are great brand names)

:thumbsup:

Wow lucky you, all my dad could send me is dirty socks.

But yeah everyone I talk to says Canon is the best for P&S cameras, the battle heats up when you talk about SLRs. Like I said I LOVE my SD400 but I hate the fact that you HAVE to hold that bad boy perfectly still (plus the very weak flash) and with the S2 it has I.S. and a much better flash.

 

[tami]

Originally posted by: Epoman

Originally posted by: HN
i'd really suggest getting both (i'll be doing the same).
one for portability to take with you anywhere anytime to take your everyday shots.
the other for more control when you are at a function or gathering (like a wedding).

Yeah that's a great idea but I could get a Rebel XT for the price of those 2. But you and the poster above have great points. I think I will get the SD400 when it's $199 which is not too far off now that the SD450 is out and with DELL coupons.

i'd be inclined to agree, but the S2 IS is sort of like a mixed-breed P&S and SLR camera. in the end, if you're going to do anything, you should go for an ultra portable P&S (like the SD-400) as well as an SLR camera. i wouldn't get an ultra-portable camera and the S2 IS because you're already getting the best of both worlds with the S2 IS. since you're budgeting, hold off on the SLR until you're ready (after you practice manual features, especially with aperature and shutter speeds, with the S2 IS).

i have my S500 that i carry with me at all times, but once you go SLR (especially when you start out), you're probably going to want to experiment with a lot of lenses. this will cause you to bring 75 lenses with you on every little photography trip. for that reason, i don't bring my d70 with me everywhere.

but the S2 IS is pretty small for the featureset it packs with it and if my husband didn't take it with him every day, i probably would

 

[tami]

Originally posted by: Epoman

Originally posted by: tami
glad to help.

definitely start saving up for an SLR though. they are NICE cameras

(btw, i'm all for canon in P&S, but i went for a nikon d70 for my SLR... kind of my dad's fault -- i wanted it because he had one.. lucky me, he sent me a few lenses that he no longer uses.. both are great brand names)

:thumbsup:

Wow lucky you, all my dad could send me is dirty socks.

But yeah everyone I talk to says Canon is the best for P&S cameras, the battle heats up when you talk about SLRs. Like I said I LOVE my SD400 but I hate the fact that you HAVE to hold that bad boy perfectly still (plus the very weak flash) and with the S2 it has I.S. and a much better flash.

yeah, i was lucky... except that one of the lenses kind of sucks my most expensive lens is from him tho (80-200mm f/2.8 nikkor)

 

[randomlinh]

i'd vote sell your soul, but you really would have to. A good IS lens will hurt, heh. Go w/ the S1 for now, especially for what you want to do. if you find you grow out of it, sell your soul.

 

[kalster]

i have a sd40 and , I really like it., I have never played with DSLRs though

 

[JinLien]

Zoom is not everything, because most of the time you can move closer to the subject. Therefore, the majority of photographs since the beginning of photography history are done with normal/standard lens. It is more useful to have wide angle than zoom, and a tripod is a cumbersome tool that is needed for many long zoom application.

A camera that is easy to use and fit the hand well is a keeper.

PS. Keep the SD 400 for now and save for the Rebel, and I'm sure that the Rebel will be cheaper in time.

 

[phreaqe]

i just ordered the s2 from staples today when i noticed the 439 with a free memory card. i have been wanting this camera since i heard it was announced. but i missed the dell deal this summer and this is the best price i have seen since then. every review i have read about this camera says itis awesome. i cant wait to get it and try it out.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

Originally posted by: HN
i'd really suggest getting both (i'll be doing the same).
one for portability to take with you anywhere anytime to take your everyday shots.
the other for more control when you are at a function or gathering (like a wedding).

yeah, i have the SD400, and id really like to have a SLR like cam like the S2 to go with it. but it was one or the other, and in general ill be taking more snap shots rather than actually setting things up for a photo

im gonna get a mini tripod for my SD400 so i can take some blur free macro's .

when im on industrial placement next year ill pick up a S2 or similar and start properly getting into photography

 

[igowerf]

I used to have a bigger camera, but I got really sick of carrying it around so I bought an SD300. I think the size and speed is awesome, but it's not as good at focusing and darker areas in pictures tend to be grainer than on my Nikon Coolpix 4500.

 

[Epoman]

Originally posted by: phreaqe
i just ordered the s2 from staples today when i noticed the 439 with a free memory card. i have been wanting this camera since i heard it was announced. but i missed the dell deal this summer and this is the best price i have seen since then. every review i have read about this camera says itis awesome. i cant wait to get it and try it out.

Don't forget the memory card is 256MB valued at $29.94 the rep told me when I pick up at the store to return the 256 and get a refund and buy the 512MB which is on sale for $29.94. so this makes it an even sweeter deal.

 

[Epoman]

bump

 

[sygyzy]

When will people get it in their heads that when they buy a camera that is categorized as ULTRACOMPACT, it's going to be useful only as a party/carry camera? Do you buy a Kia and try to use it to go offroading? Or do you buy a truck? Why do you think all your little girlfriends carry Elphs and SD's in their pockets? It's because they are simple to use and portable. S2 IS will blow away the SD400. And you complained about having to hold the SD still? Luckily for you, IS stands for Image Stabilization. Rock on.

 

[The Stigenator]

okay i have the S1 IS and the big advantages is the zoom. THe S2 has the bugs fixed that the S1 has.. like the S1 cant shoot in low light (no AF light) but the S2 can. Also teh S2 has teh DIGIC 2 chip versus the DIGIC 1 chip the S1 IS has.

In the end I love my S1 IS, if i had the money i would buy the S2 IS.. the image stablization works awesome.. and the zoom gets a bit of getting used to, but i love my S1 IS.

I have my A75 just incase (replacement for the A70) for other types of shooting conditions.. i wish i had the money for the S2 IS, but oh well.

 

[tami]

Originally posted by: JinLien
Zoom is not everything, because most of the time you can move closer to the subject. Therefore, the majority of photographs since the beginning of photography history are done with normal/standard lens. It is more useful to have wide angle than zoom, and a tripod is a cumbersome tool that is needed for many long zoom application.

A camera that is easy to use and fit the hand well is a keeper.

PS. Keep the SD 400 for now and save for the Rebel, and I'm sure that the Rebel will be cheaper in time.

my husband's 12x optical by far surpasses my best lenses (a comparable lens would be possibly $2000-3000). distance is everything, especially when you're at a park by a lake and want to get a shot of a boat sailing 300 feet away. with the 12x, you get that at incredible sharpness. most often, in cases where the 12x optical zoom is used, you CAN'T move closer to the subject.

we haven't used a tripod with the S2 IS yet. it hasn't been needed.

for SLR, however, well, that's another story.

 

[kitkit201]

I would tend to agree with Tami on this one... I too have a D70 and I run the same boat as tami, ... big camera for shooting / hunting days, small camera for more pratical and formal uses (like a dance, ball, etc) ..

however, from my understanding, I would get the S2 IS much more than the sd400. Granted the size difference, but if your going to be shooting your kids activities at school, they would love the following features (in no particular order)

1) 12x zoom vs. 3x zoom (virtually no comparison here, praticallily wise, you can zoom in to amazing closeness without getting hurt by a soccer ball)
2) Flip lcd screen vs. fixed (would be a great feature to show off to your kids, or in a large crowd, trying to get much closer but not sure what you are shooting, with the flip screen you can!)
3) IS vs non-IS (duh! IS rules, and you pay a pretty penny for it in the SLR world, but the S2 IS camera is a huge bargain!)
4) Size. (of course size would matter, but think about it in real terms. The S2 IS isn't really that much bigger vs a SLR. With it's feature packed package though, it's hard to negat that.)

To me, you should be looking at the S2 IS more and investing some money on some SD cards so you can use their lovely movie mode (I thought the S2 and SD400 had similar movie modes)...

 

[mellondust]

Buy the S2 IS you will be glad you did! I am planning on getting this camera around Christmas hoping the price will go down.

My mom has the S1 IS and I was amazed at the picture quality. She came to visit us and we took all kinds of the pictures at a wide variety of places and settings. We took pictures at the zoo, planetarium, a lake, outside our house, and inside during the day and night. It is a little bigger than some of the other cameras but the size seemed fine to me.

I thought my mom's S1 was an average camera until I downloaded the pictures onto my computer. I could not believe how good the pictures turned out. The 10X optical zoom made such a big difference. Most of the pics were taken with auto on and the only ones that turned out bad were pics the shooter just screwed up on. I would have gone out and bought one for myself but I knew the S2 was out and it had a higher resolution, some things fixed from the S1, and a few upgrades.

I have been considering buying the S2 since it came out and after using the S1 I'm sold on the S2. I just can't affort the price tag now although the S1 is now around $200.

 

[Kelvrick]

Go to f/s and buy my Pana FZ20 . That aside, try looking at the Pana FZ5. Flash is stronger.