Canon S50 Chromatic Aberration? I'm confused...

[BeefcakeVA]

And yes, we do need a digital camera forum

From Steve's Digcams:

"I also saw some softness around the edges of the frame but almost no chromatic aberration."

Link

From Dpreview:

"While it's true that the S50 carries all of the excellent features, control and image processing from the S45 it can't be said that the lens is as good a match for the sensor as it was with the four megapixel unit. This is clearly visible in the strong chromatic aberrations which can occur (this is the same thing we experienced with the G5). This is the reason I can't give this camera 'Highly Recommended'."

Link

Is this really a problem or is it only a problem in certain instances? Any have any experience with this as I really can't find the S45 sold anywhere at a competitive price anymore it seems.

 

[Eug]

I haven't used the S50, but dpreview has more accurate reviews IMO.

Anyways, I find that the lenses in the vast majority of digital point and shoots will cause some chromatic aberration, but it really depends on what types of photos you take. For me, it's usually not a big deal. You'll generally see it high-contrast areas, but for most normally lit regions it's not noticeable.

Personally, I'd rather have the S50.

 

[BeefcakeVA]

Honestly, the camera would be for my girlfriend who is a point and shoot type. Dpreview seems to have very good reviews but they seem to be a bit too technical for the beginner to average user and thus I'm thinking that the chromatic aberration referred to might not really be noticeable in most situations to most people.

Thanks for the input.

 

[ultimatebob]

The Powershot S45 doesn't seem to have the chromatic aberration problem of the S50, and is also $40 cheaper. If your girlfriend is looking for a decent point and shoot camera, you might want to get her one of those.

 

[GoSharks]

CA on the s50 is really not a big issue. it doesnt show up very often and even then, it isnt that bad

 

[BeefcakeVA]

Our of curiosity, anyone have any links to where the S45 is being sold still? I've seen a few links but they were more expensive than the S50 which is only $435 or so at Newegg. I definitely wouldn't want to pay more it than the S50.

 

[LethalWolfe]

Originally posted by: GOSHARKS
CA on the s50 is really not a big issue. it doesnt show up very often and even then, it isnt that bad

I agree. I have an s50 and after reading the DPreview I expected CA to be a minor PITA. But after putting over 1000 pix thru my S50 (many of them w/high contrast white meeting black areas) I've only noticed CA in a few pix, and even then it wasn't as "in you face" as I thought DPreview made it out to be.


Lethal

 

[AmdInside]

Even my expensive cameras show CA if enough light passes into the lens. THere are filters available for Photoshop to get rid of this. I wouldn't worry to much.

 

[LordOfAll]

You could check out the canon s400. similar spec wise to the s50 cept for the 4mp sensor, but is even smaller in size. Sold at newegg for under $400.

 

[SilverRyu]

its because the sensor is the same size..and canon just overloaded the S50. I believe the increased density is what causes the problem.

if you cannot find a S45 for sale i suggest you use pricegrabber or something, because there are tons of places.

I was gonna get an s50 for xmas..but i am going s45 now. $40 gets me a real CF card.