Last 12 months’s PowerShot S1 IS was one of the most standard ultra zoom cameras on the market. It was one of many first “hybrid” cameras to efficiently combine the perfect options from digital cameras and camcorders. Earlier this year Canon launched its alternative — the PowerShot S2 IS ($499). The S2 isn’t just a larger resolution sensor in the identical outdated physique — you get a complete lot more. A number of the new options on the S2 embody:
5 Megapixel CCD (versus 3.2 on the S1)
12X optical zoom lens (versus 10X)
DIGIC II image processor, which gives the S2 its sturdy performance
Larger LCD display (1.eight” versus 1.5″)
Stereo sound recording
New “Night Display” function brightens the LCD and EVF in low light
More movie mode options: wind filter, selectable sound high quality and mic level
My Colours characteristic helps you to spotlight and even swap colors proper on the digicam
Uses Secure Digital (SD) memory cards (instead of CompactFlash)
USB 2.zero Excessive Velocity assist
The S2 keeps all the S1’s trademark options including optical picture stabilization, a rotating LCD, an excellent film mode, full manual controls, and help for conversion lenses.
Is the PowerShot S2 the final word ultra zoom digicam? Discover out now in our assessment!
What’s in the Box?
The PowerShot S2 has a mean bundle. Contained in the field, you will discover:
The 5.zero efficient Megapixel Canon PowerShot S2 IS digital camera
16MB Safe Digital card
Four AA alkaline batteries
Neck strap
USB cable
A/V cable
CD-ROM that includes Canon Digital Digital camera Solutions
185 page digicam guide + software program guide (each printed)
Canon features a 16MB Secure Digital (SD) reminiscence card with the S2 which is, let’s consider, just a little skimpy. When you shoot on the highest quality setting you may fit simply five pictures on that card, and let’s not even discuss movies. So you may need to get a bigger card immediately, with 256MB or 512MB being my beneficial starter sizes. High velocity reminiscence playing cards are extremely desirable, particularly if you want to use the great movie and steady shooting features. I might recommend a pace rating of at the very least 60X should you buy one in every of those.
Like its predecessor, the PowerShot S2 uses 4 AA batteries. Sadly Canon provides you alkalines within the field which will rapidly end up the trash, so take into account it your mission to purchase a set or [two] of NiMH rechargeable batteries (2300 mAh or larger, ideally). And do not forget a quick charger, either!
Once you get some NiMH batteries you may get some nice battery life numbers out of the S2:
As you may see, the S2 stomps the competition within the battery life arena. Sadly, battery life information for the Olympus C-765 and C-770 Extremely Zoom was not available. If that is the first of our camera reviews that you have learn (and shame on you!) then it’s possible you’ll not know why this reviewer prefers cameras that AA batteries. Merely put, they’re low-cost (you can simply get 4 for underneath $10) and you may always use alkalines when your rechargeables run out. Try that together with your $50 lithium-ion battery!
Canon features a lens cap and retaining strap with the digicam so your lens is all the time protected. Nicely, at the least in theory — I found the lens cap to be fairly awful, as it did not like to remain on. Canon contains version 24 of their excellent Digital Digicam Solutions software program with the S2. Included on this package deal are ZoomBrowser/ImageBrowser (for Windows and Mac respectively), PhotoStitch (for making panoramic photographs), PhotoRecord (printing software program, Windows solely), plus TWAIN and WIA drivers for Windows.
When a camera is linked to your pc by way of the USB connection you may see the Camera Window appear. This is where you may select what images to download (see beneath) and you may also do the things proven in the screenshot above. The “Set My Digicam” choice enables you to change all of the startup screens and sounds that the digicam makes. Believe it or not, Canon provides a chimpanzee theme. I am not joking.
ImageBrowser/ZoomBrowser can do image viewing, slide exhibits, basic enhancing, printing, e-mailing, and more. Hidden inside it are a couple of more cool options: Distant Capture and Movie Edit. For no matter cause, Canon is no longer including the full ArcSoft PhotoSuite with their cameras. Now you just get PhotoStudio (v 4.3 for Mac, v5.5 for Windows), which is form of like a “gentle” version of Adobe Photoshop. It isn’t bad, although I miss all the bells and whistles of PhotoImpression (although not its quirky interface).
Recent Canon camera manuals have been extra complex than earlier ones, however they’re still above average. You will discover what you are in search of, but it may require wading by plenty of tremendous print and “notes”.
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