Finally ordered a decent digital camera...good choice?

[Insane3D]

Well, I have been looking for a replacement for my A40 that seems to be whacked after it was dropped once. At first I was going to go with the A95 since I already had a 256mb CF card and USB 2.0 reader, but I decided to spend a bit more and get a good camera that would be overkill for me, and last a long time.

I settled on the Canon S2 IS. Once I decided on the camera, it came time for shopping around for the best deal. Most places have it for $499, which is the high end of the spectrum. Buy.com had it for $450, but it's OOS with no arrival date for more in sight. There were a few camera stores online that had it for $450ish, but they were a bit shady looking, and they also call you and try to sell you more if you order through them. I missed out on the Dell deal for ~$360ish awhile back, which is probably why Dell doesn't list it on their site anymore.

Anyway, Amazon listed it last week, but they were "On Order" and "Coming Soon". Their price was awesome though @ $439.94 with free shipping. I added it to my cart and it listed the expected ship date as September 15th though. :thumbsdown: I gave Crutchfield a call to see if they could match since they had it in stock, but the best they could do was $457. The lady seemed surprised at Amazon's price since she said it was lower than what they pay for them. :Q

Anyhow, I checked today, and it listed the expected ship date @ August 12th, so I ordered! Anyone else have this camera? It seemed to be a decent camera in the reviews I read, and it has the type of camera body shape I was looking for.

Also, I think I'm going to pick up a 1GB Sandisk Ultra II SD card...good match for this camera?

Only part that sucks now is the waiting...

 

[Cuda1447]

Didn't realize they came out with the S2IS already. I really liked the previous model to this one, but Ive never used this particular camera so I can't tell ya.

 

[Gravity]

Great optical zoom!!!

I think you did pretty well. Enjoy your new toy!!!

 

[Anubis]

yes

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: Anubis
yes

Forgot to add I owe Anubis for helping me pick out a decent cam!

:thumbsup:

 

[nakedfrog]

I had looked at the previous model earlier this year before going with a Fuji S5100 instead. It was pretty close, though.

 

[NuroMancer]

With this camera can you manually set the shutter speeds and/or the F values?

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
I had looked at the previous model earlier this year before going with a Fuji S5100 instead. It was pretty close, though.

Yeah, the S2 is quite big improvement over the S1 before it.

The movie mode alone is insane...640 x 480 @ 30FPS, stereo, and image stabilized, up to 1GB.

Sample Movie

:Q

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: NuroMancer
With this camera can you manually set the shutter speeds and/or the F values?

Yes, I believe so. All the info you want is in the link in my OP.

 

[NuroMancer]

Originally posted by: Insane3D

Originally posted by: NuroMancer
With this camera can you manually set the shutter speeds and/or the F values?

Yes, I believe so. All the info you want is in the link in my OP.

hum, didn't see it, guess I'll look again.

 

[Insane3D]

Shutter speeds 15 - 1/3200 sec

Lens

? 36 - 432mm equiv. (10x optical zoom)
? F2.7 - F3.5
? Image Stabilized

Is that what you were looking for?

 

[NuroMancer]

Originally posted by: Insane3D

Shutter speeds 15 - 1/3200 sec

Lens

? 36 - 432mm equiv. (10x optical zoom)
? F2.7 - F3.5
? Image Stabilized

Is that what you were looking for?

Kinda, thats what the lense can do, it doesn't say if you can set the F values. It could just mean this is the range that the auto modes use.

 

[kami333]

Originally posted by: NuroMancer

Originally posted by: Insane3D

Shutter speeds 15 - 1/3200 sec

Lens

? 36 - 432mm equiv. (10x optical zoom)
? F2.7 - F3.5
? Image Stabilized

Is that what you were looking for?

Kinda, thats what the lense can do, it doesn't say if you can set the F values. It could just mean this is the range that the auto modes use.

Yes it can be set manually.

 

[Nocturnal]

I like anything Canon. As long as you aren't trying to do photography as a profession using this camera, you'll be ok. I believe if you continue to pursue this hobby you'll eventually want to go into the DSLR game. I often recommend my friends just go big from the get go to avoid spending money on numerous digi cams and then finally making the jump to DSLR. But if you don't think you're too serious then I wouldn't recommend a DSLR yet.

 

[Kelvrick]

Did you look at the panasonic fz5 and the Sony H1? You can get the fz5 for like 370 and the sony for about the same I think. Those three are the forerunners in the compact ultra-zooms.

If you're willing to go a little bigger, try Panasonic FZ20, although the fz30 is about to come out thats a little bigger and has some improvements like a longer available shutter time, zoom ring and focus ring, and the flip-out/twist lcd that the canons have.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal
I like anything Canon. As long as you aren't trying to do photography as a profession using this camera, you'll be ok. I believe if you continue to pursue this hobby you'll eventually want to go into the DSLR game. I often recommend my friends just go big from the get go to avoid spending money on numerous digi cams and then finally making the jump to DSLR. But if you don't think you're too serious then I wouldn't recommend a DSLR yet.

Yeah, I doubt I'll be using DSLR anytime soon...the a40 was my first camera..period. :Q

I just wanted a higher end P&S that would be overkill for me, and would last a long time. The S2 has some DSLR-like features, and uses the same DIGIC II Processor that is in their DSLR's...

 

[LordSnailz]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal
I like anything Canon. As long as you aren't trying to do photography as a profession using this camera, you'll be ok. I believe if you continue to pursue this hobby you'll eventually want to go into the DSLR game. I often recommend my friends just go big from the get go to avoid spending money on numerous digi cams and then finally making the jump to DSLR. But if you don't think you're too serious then I wouldn't recommend a DSLR yet.

That's what I was thinking, just forget about it and go ahead jump into DSLR; guess I'm patiently waiting for a good deal on a DSLR.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
Did you look at the panasonic fz5 and the Sony H1? You can get the fz5 for like 370 and the sony for about the same I think. Those three are the forerunners in the compact ultra-zooms.

If you're willing to go a little bigger, try Panasonic FZ20, although the fz30 is about to come out thats a little bigger and has some improvements like a longer available shutter time, zoom ring and focus ring, and the flip-out/twist lcd that the canons have.

They compared it to the Panasonic and Sony, but I prefer the Canon. I've always like their cameras, and the others would have to have someserious additional features at the same price point for me to even consider them.

Also, they had this to saty in regards to the S2 vs the Panasonic and Sony...

But ultimately the appeal of the S2 IS goes beyond simple pixel-peeping; it has a class-leading feature set, a very reliable image stabilization system (the benefits of which cannot be overstated) and superb handling. It's well-priced, incredibly versatile and - above all - highly enjoyable to use. For fast action (where the focus system still isn't fast enough), I'd go for the Panasonic FZ5, and it will be interesting to see how the Sony H1 fares in our upcoming review, but for sheer shooting pleasure and versatility the PowerShot S2 IS takes some beating.

In another review I read they mentioned the same thing. The Sony and Panasonic do a few things better, but the Canon is the most enjoyable to use...

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: LordSnailz

Originally posted by: Nocturnal
I like anything Canon. As long as you aren't trying to do photography as a profession using this camera, you'll be ok. I believe if you continue to pursue this hobby you'll eventually want to go into the DSLR game. I often recommend my friends just go big from the get go to avoid spending money on numerous digi cams and then finally making the jump to DSLR. But if you don't think you're too serious then I wouldn't recommend a DSLR yet.

That's what I was thinking, just forget about it and go ahead jump into DSLR; guess I'm patiently waiting for a good deal on a DSLR.

As I said in my reply, this is only my second camera...EVER. DSLR is way over my head, and I don't take enough pictures to justify it. Plus, this is already over my budget of $250 I had...

 

[Jawo]

Originally posted by: LordSnailz

Originally posted by: Nocturnal
I like anything Canon. As long as you aren't trying to do photography as a profession using this camera, you'll be ok. I believe if you continue to pursue this hobby you'll eventually want to go into the DSLR game. I often recommend my friends just go big from the get go to avoid spending money on numerous digi cams and then finally making the jump to DSLR. But if you don't think you're too serious then I wouldn't recommend a DSLR yet.

That's what I was thinking, just forget about it and go ahead jump into DSLR; guess I'm patiently waiting for a good deal on a DSLR.

I did that for awhile as well, but a good dSLR would be at least $900 with a lens or two. I got the a95 last september for $330...quite a big difference there...

Most of the upgrades in the S2 are also present in the a95 (ie shoting modes)

 

[Carbo]

Insane, I bought this camera about a month ago. My first digital, by the way. Up to now I've been a dinosaur, using my 25 year old Nikon F3. I just figured it was time to see what the digital buzz is about and to catch up to the jet set, high tech, new age crowd.
While I still prefer my F3 I'm getting used to the Canon. Overall, quite nice and capable for what I consider a high end point and shoot. I'm particularly pleased with the fact I don't have to use auto. It offers complete creative control via all the manual settings offered. Oh, and I also purchased the 1GB Sandisk Ultra II SD card. Seems to be a good fit with this camera. That, and 8 rechargeable batteries, plus the charger, (damn, these things eat batteries, don't they!?)
BTW, I bought mine online at PC Nation. If I remember correctly, I paid $465, free shipping, and had it in 3 days.

 

[JulesMaximus]

You did good! If I were in the market for a P&S digital that would probably be at the top of my list!

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Carbo
Insane, I bought this camera about a month ago. My first digital, by the way. Up to now I've been a dinosaur, using my 25 year old Nikon F3. I just figured it was time to see what the digital buzz is about and to catch up to the jet set, high tech, new age crowd.
While I still prefer my F3 I'm getting used to the Canon. Overall, quite nice and capable for what I consider a high end point and shoot. I'm particularly pleased with the fact I don't have to use auto. It offers complete creative control via all the manual settings offered. Oh, and I also purchased the 1GB Sandisk Ultra II SD card. Seems to be a good fit with this camera. That, and 8 rechargeable batteries, plus the charger, (damn, these things eat batteries, don't they!?)
BTW, I bought mine online at PC Nation. If I remember correctly, I paid $465, free shipping, and had it in 3 days.

A word of advice, don't review your pictures on the LCD if you don't have to. This is a huge drain on the batteries. Spend your time shooting not looking at your pictures. If you really want to save battery juice I'd try turning the LCD off altogether and just use the viewfinder.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: Jawo

Originally posted by: LordSnailz

Originally posted by: Nocturnal
I like anything Canon. As long as you aren't trying to do photography as a profession using this camera, you'll be ok. I believe if you continue to pursue this hobby you'll eventually want to go into the DSLR game. I often recommend my friends just go big from the get go to avoid spending money on numerous digi cams and then finally making the jump to DSLR. But if you don't think you're too serious then I wouldn't recommend a DSLR yet.

That's what I was thinking, just forget about it and go ahead jump into DSLR; guess I'm patiently waiting for a good deal on a DSLR.

I did that for awhile as well, but a good dSLR would be at least $900 with a lens or two. I got the a95 last september for $330...quite a big difference there...

Most of the upgrades in the S2 are also present in the a95 (ie shoting modes)

Actually yes and no. I could have got the A95 for $230ish, but it just doesn't have the features of the S2, and the big thing...no DIGIC II from the DSLR's. The A95 was my first choice though, but I prefer the body of the S2.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: Carbo
Insane, I bought this camera about a month ago. My first digital, by the way. Up to now I've been a dinosaur, using my 25 year old Nikon F3. I just figured it was time to see what the digital buzz is about and to catch up to the jet set, high tech, new age crowd.
While I still prefer my F3 I'm getting used to the Canon. Overall, quite nice and capable for what I consider a high end point and shoot. I'm particularly pleased with the fact I don't have to use auto. It offers complete creative control via all the manual settings offered. Oh, and I also purchased the 1GB Sandisk Ultra II SD card. Seems to be a good fit with this camera. That, and 8 rechargeable batteries, plus the charger, (damn, these things eat batteries, don't they!?)
BTW, I bought mine online at PC Nation. If I remember correctly, I paid $465, free shipping, and had it in 3 days.

Thanks for the information. I'm pretty much set on the 1GB Ultra II...I thinkin the 16mb one that comes with it is probably not going to handle more than like 2 pics..lol.

Also, I picked up a nice little battery/charger kit too...

12 2300mAh AA's and rapid charger - ~$28 shipped