It is Time for Me to Get a New Camera, I Need Your Help!

[Chris Gohlke]

I've got a Canon Powershot S30 that has served me well for a few years now, but the battery has given up the ghost. Since a new one costs $60, I am using that as an excuse to buy a new camera. I know that battery is much cheaper than a new camera, but the battery is really just an excuse to get a new toy. I've narrowed it down to getting a Rebel XT and and a Powershot SD400 or just getting a Powershot S2 IS. If money were no object, I'd obviously go with the former, but my inner accountant prefers the later option as it seems the best bang for buck.

I'd been thinking about getting a Rebel XT (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007QKN22/sr=1-2/qid=1132010850/ref=sr_1_2/104-2237544-4755150?%5Fencoding=UTF8), but that is not exactly cheap and is a little out of my price range for now, plus, I don't think I would ever quite use all of the cool things that it can do, I mostly like the fact that it would give me a good optical zoom. But, if I got the Rebel, I would also want another camera that was more manageable to use on other occasions when I did not want to carry the DSLR (like my trip to Busch Gardens this past weekend). Something like the Canon Powershot SD400 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007TJ5OG/sr=1-1/qid=1132010850/ref=sr_1_1/104-2237544-4755150?%5Fencoding=UTF8). Of course at this point I am well over a grand on equipment.

During my mullings today, I found the Canon Powershot S2 IS (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009GZSSO/sr=1-8/qid=1132010850/ref=sr_1_8/104-2237544-4755150?%5Fencoding=UTF8). It has a 12x optical zoom and appears to use the same Digic 2 processor of the Rebel. At $479 it seems to be a pretty good value and would allow me to buy just one camera. The S2 could be a nice baby step into the DSLR market and if I find I still want the Rebel, I could still get that later.

So, while it seems I have pretty much made up my mind, I would love to hear your thoughts on my dilemma. Would you recommend something other than a Canon, or have any other ideas as to what might be better?

[bdegroodt]

FWIW, I have a S400 as my "pocket camera" and a friend of mine has a SD400. Both produce some pretty nice shots in ideal settings, but I've heard no end to my friend's complaints about the SD400 in low-light or harsh-light type situations. Also, it seems the slightest change (up) in ISO on the SD400 leads to some pretty bad grain.

I'm uncertain as to why. On the surface I assumed there was only a difference in the media the cameras used, but it's now apparent to me that there's more to it than size and media.

[ojlittle]

I have a Digital Rebel & a Panasonic FZ-20 & to be honest I hardly ever use them. They're both great cameras, but they're just to bulky to carry everywhere I go (FYI - I frequently travel up/down the West African coast). I have to actually plan outings just to use those two cameras. Otherwise I carry my Canon IXUS 700 (SD500 in the US I think) everywhere I go, never miss a shot, and the results are fantastic.

Hope that helps... But it probably doesn't! :lol:

[Bob12]

In addition to the cameras listed below, I also have the Canon S2 IS which I bought for very specific purposes, mostly dealing with me being in motion when I'm using it. The image stabilization it includes does an outstanding job of damping out that motion. It is my lowest resolution camera but its picture quality is very good and would probably keep you happy until a DSLR is within your budget. Plus, it has enough features to keep you entertained for a while :)

[kiwi]

Hi, I own the SD400 and use an S2 on regular occasions.. great Motion dampening! I have photos (will try and post soon) taken from a speed boat last summer.. The shots came out amazing.
The worst thing on that camera is the Lens cap. Anyone know where to get somethign better for it?

b

[fit4life]

OK here are my 2 cents...

I had a SD300 and SD400 both took good pictures, but both also had broken screens after about 2 months. I am anal retentive with my stuff and had them both in Canon cases made for the camera. I called Canon and they told me they made the screen thinner to keep weight down and to brighten it up. Either way, I sent my cameras back to Canon and I was told the screen damage was not covered under the warenty and I could pay 90$ each for the repair. That was a great disapointment from a company as big as Canon. I did not buy a new Canon as my pocket camera and after reading a lot of reviews I went with a Kodak V550. Not the greatest camera, but it is very durable.

Ok that is my 2 cents...

Fit4Life

[Jonathon Watkins]

I just love using my Canon Pro1. The optics are superb and the 28-200mm equivalent zoom is a very useful range. Of course the Pro2 is rumoured to be just around the corner........

[Jason Dunn]

The Rebel XT and the S2 are probably almost the same size - the Rebel will be a bit deeper, but in terms of overall size I think they'd be close. So I think you'd want something smaller.

I'm a two camera guy myself. I have a little Casio Exilim S500 that I use for casual shooting, the kind where we bring the camera with us just in case we take pictures. The Canon Rebel comes out when I'm going out with the intentional purpose of taking photos (special events, etc.).

Something like the S80 is in the middle in terms of size:
http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=12074

[Jonathon Watkins]

Something like the S80 is in the middle in terms of size:
http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=12074

I had an S30 and really enjoyed it. I upgraded to a S45 and then to the Pro1 for more control, filters, built in ND filter, optics etc. The form factor was just slightly too large to carry everywhere, which is why I got an IXUS 50 for that job and the Pro1 when I need more control.

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

You haven't really said what you wanted to do with the camera, but since you're happy with the S30..

Casio Z750 (just remember to turn saturation down a notch or two) or the Canon S80. If you're used to the S30's size the S80 shouldn't be too different. For high ISO capability there's either the Fuji F10 or F11 (F11 adds manual exposure modes).

Alternatively buy a battery for the S30 since it's still working, and get a DSLR. :P

[Chris Gohlke]

Major features that I was looking for was a really great zoom with great image stablization as well as handling video well, both without breaking the bank. After reading this review http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons2is/ and seeing the sample video, I place more order with Amazon and should have it Monday. Thanks everyone!

[Bob12]

Congrats! I think you'll enjoy it. I agree with Kiwi about the lens cap. I usually just tuck a loop of the tether cord under the cap on mine.

[kiwi]

here are a couple pics from Mexico last week taken on the Canon S2.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a320/psxp/tail_1.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a320/psxp/tail_2.jpg

***embedded images turned into links for the sake of our mobile users - JD ***