trohricht's Full Review: Canon PowerShot S2 IS Digital Camera
Anyone who wants proof that competition leads to innovation and better value for the consumer, need look no further than the digital camera market and “long zoom” prosumer models. Canon, Konica-Minolta, Panasonic, and Sony have all been releasing terrific, image-stabilized long zoom digicams – at very affordable price points – in an effort to steal market share from one another.
The long zoom market offers a lot of value for money, all for a couple hundred dollars more than a basic point&shoot. Yes, those big, beautiful lenses result in some bulk, and yes it can take some time to learn how to make best use of all the features, but the fun-factor of using and handling these cameras simply can’t be beat at the price point.
The Canon PowerShot S2 IS
Canon’s latest entry to the long-zoom market is the PowerShot S2 IS. When shopping for this camera, I was also considering the Sony DCS-H1, the Konica-Minolta Z5, and the Panasonic Lumix FZ series. Without getting into a lot of detail about the other models, I will say that I chose the Canon due to the impressive movie mode, relatively compact dimensions, and the generally positive reviews around the internet.
I have owned the camera for a little over three months now, and in that time I had the opportunity to take it on a three-week trip to India. How much do I enjoy shooting with this camera? Well, I took well over a gigabyte worth of photos during that time, which includes about 400 stills and a smattering of video. The versatility, handling, and lens quality on this camera make it a real winner for travel. Of those 400 stills, many were quick snapshots and many were experiments in creativity, but many are also “quality” images that could (and some probably will) be enlarged for framing and hanging.
My time spent getting to know the S2 has uncovered a few issues. Most of these problems are minor, and some of them even seem to be deliberate moves on the part of Canon, to prevent the S2 stealing sales from their higher-priced and higher-margin dSLR lineup. But one of the problems is rather significant, as I will explain when I talk about the LCD display further below.
Specifications
It’s seems a little silly to reproduce data that can easily be found on www.canon.com (as well as in numerous reviews around the web), so I won’t. For me the most compelling features are the 5.3 Megapixel resolution, the 12x image-stabilized zoom lens (with f/2.7 – 3.5 aperture), fully-articulating 1.8” LCD screen, and 550 shot battery capacity when using NiMH AA batteries. For anyone who hasn’t done so, go find the full specs and take a look – I think you’ll be impressed.
Finish, ergonomics and handling
The S2 is a muted silver colour, made of high-quality plastic with nice heft and a decent handgrip. Compared to some competitors, it is fairly compact, and could even be shoved into a large coat pocket or vest pocket (though it is a kinder, gentler solution to buy a small padded camera bag to sling over your shoulder). As somebody with large (and not always delicate) hands, I quickly discovered a downside to the S2’s compact dimensions. When holding the camera by the right-hand grip, my thumb makes contact with the “menu” button, sometimes activating it by accident. Other reviews of this camera have also mentioned this issue.
Aside from the placement of the menu button, camera controls are all well placed and work smoothly. I particularly like the way Canon moved the most commonly used shooting parameters into a separate menu, activated by its own “function” button. This button gives rapid access to controls for exposure compensation, white balance, ISO, in-camera colour processing modes, exposure bracketing, focus bracketing, flash compensation, and settings for movie and still resolution and quality … all without needing to page through the conventional menu.
The placement and operation of the mode wheel, shutter release, zoom controls, etc. are all unremarkable – they work as advertised.
Included accessories and software
The S2 uses Secure Digital media and AA batteries, and this is actually one of the reasons I bought this particular camera. I already owned a few SD cards, and SD is rapidly becoming one of the standards in flash storage. Ditto for AA batteries – high-quality NiMH cells are readily available, and in a pinch I can get alkalines from just about any shop on the planet. When new, the camera box includes a 16MB SD card (which is essentially useless but at least it gets you started) and 4 AA alkaline cells (which actually last for a while given the S2’s thrifty nature). You also get a comprehensive and well-written manual, a neck-strap, a USB cable, and an AV-out cable (for connecting to your television). There is no protective case in the retail box.
The software (or at least the PC software) included with the retail box is rather poor in my opinion, and I never was able to figure out the simple task of transferring images from the SD card to my local hard drive in a consistent way. Perhaps I’m just thicker than the average prosumer, but the user interface and behaviour of this software eluded me. ACDsee is vastly superior in my opinion, and Canon would have done well to bundle an OEM version of this instead. The included photostitch software (more on the stitch funcion further below) is passable. It saves quite a bit of time compared to doing the same thing (aligning a series of shots to match edge-to-edge) in PhotoShop, but the “seams” where photos join are visible on close inspection. Substantial cleanup in PhotoShop would be required to create a truly professional product worthy of large-format output.
To overcome the poor image browsing/downloading software, I invested in a simple USB SD card reader. This way I can plug the card directly into any PC, and do whatever I want with the files. The device also doubles as a handy USB key.
Overall shooting experience & features
This camera is blessed with a very fast startup. From power-on, it manages to get that big, beautiful 12x lens extended and ready for shooting in under 2 seconds. Shooting performance is equally robust thanks to Canon’s DIGIC II processing and onboard buffer. The only times when I noticed any buffer lag at all was after capturing some long exposure night shots, and after capturing large video clips. Overall, this camera performs when asked and rarely gets in the way of your creative urges.
Auto-focus and metering performance is also impressive, locking on quickly in many (but not all) situations. The S2 uses an AF-assist lamp for low-light situations. This helps tremendously, though the AF will still sometimes “hunt” in dark, low-contrast situations. There is also a manual focus mode, but the S2 lacks the manual focus ring found on some competitors. Controlling focus with pushbuttons is predictably cumbersome. In my experience, when using manual focus it was often a good idea to also use Automatic Focus Bracketing, which results in three frames being taken in succession, each with a slightly different focus setting. Another handy feature of the S2 is Auto Exposure Bracketing, which snaps off three shots each with a slightly different exposure value.
There is no shortage of creative control available when using this camera. In addition to a standard point & shoot mode, there is a standard suite of “scene” modes for things like landscapes, portraits, beach, snow, night snapshots, etc. These seem to work well, and are a good choice when you want to shoot quickly without spending a lot of time deciding on exposure and aperture values. I also like that Canon allows for a user-defined scene mode, in which you can store a custom set of shooting parameters. Of course full manual controls are also available, but unfortunately the S2 suffers from a few limitations. First, the minimum aperture is f8.0, and there are times when it’s useful to be able to stop the lens down to 16 or 21. Second, the maximum exposure time is 15 seconds. This presents a serious limitation in very low light tripod photography and particularly astronomical photography. I can only assume that Canon decided to limit exposure this way deliberately, in an attempt to prevent the S2 overlapping the market of their SLR line.
The “My Colors” mode is cute, but not terribly useful. Similarly, the in-camera modes for Sepia or Black & White are not something I would ever use. It just makes more sense to shoot in full colour, and create sepia tone or other artistic effects in PhotoShop later. The Stitch mode is quite useful however. It allows you to shoot a sequence of horizontal or vertical exposures (e.g. when shooting a landscape or a tall building) and the LCD shows a split display that helps immensely with proper composition. As mentioned above, the Photo Stitch software isn’t perfect, but the in-camera implementation of this functionality is a lot of fun to play with.
The self-timer, drive modes, and intervalometer functions are very nicely implemented. For the self-timer, you have the ability to set your own delay value, and also set the number of shots that will be captured. This is fantastic for group shots or posed shots where a single exposure almost always reveals some problem or other. Instead, you can set up to capture two (or three, or ten …) shots in sequence and tell everyone “okay, hold still, it’s going to take two shots.” Continuous shooting mode is the one I’ve explored least of all to date, but it seems to capture about two frames per second without difficulty (but it’s important to note the flash can’t recycle anywhere near that fast). The intervalometer allows you to set the camera up somewhere (a tripod makes the most sense), and have it capture a single frame every x minutes, where x is any value between 1 and 60, up to a maximum of 100 frames. I have used this to capture a series of sky shots, which I then composited together (using freeware) into a nifty AVI of a fast-moving cloudscape. Once again, it seems Canon deliberately limited this feature in firmware to 100 frames maximum and 1-60 minutes interval time.
As fun as it is to use the S2 as a still photo camera, it also has a fantastic video mode. Footage can be captured at up to 640x480 resolution and 30 frames-per-second. Sound is recorded in stereo, up to 44.1kHz sampling rate. The quality is crisp, stereo recording actually works, and best of all the image-stabilized lens help to reduce jumpiness (but don’t expect miracles). Of course, video at the highest quality settings positively eats SD cards. A 1GB card will be used up in about 9 minutes at the highest settings, 40 minutes at the lowest. It is somewhat humourous to note that the 16MB card included in the retail box will record exactly six seconds of video at the best setting.
Having such a competent movie mode greatly enhances the S2’s value as a travel companion. During our India trip, my wife and I carried this camera, plus an old (and much cherished) film SLR, plus a full-blown video camera. Many times, when we were getting prepared for a small side-trip, we decided “let’s not bother lugging the videocam around with us – the Canon will be fine if we run across something we really want to film.”
Adding to the S2’s flexibility, there are two buttons on the camera corresponding to still-photo shutter release and video mode start/stop. This means you can be exploring your creative genius in one of the special still-photo scene modes, and if you suddenly decide you need to start filming something just push a single button to begin video capture. Similarly, if you are in the process of filming and decide you’d like a full-resolution still, simply click the shutter release. There is no need to fiddle with the mode wheel or chase around an onscreen menu.
The S2 can even function as a simple sound recorder, capturing at up to 44.1kHz stereo with good quality. The resulting clips are surprisingly large in terms of file size, but this kind of flexibility comes in handy in a few places. First, it can be used to attach voice notes to still frames (e.g. “the car in front is a 1962 corvette, and the one in the background is a 1967 Jag E-Type.”) Second, you can simply capture the ambient sound of a place or an experience. I used it while on an express train from Bombay to the nearby city of Pune. Indian trains are an experience for all five senses (trust me on this one) so I thought it worthwhile to capture a few minutes of the wheels on the tracks, the conversations going on around me, the hawkers walking the aisles selling tea, snacks, and water … all with the camera sitting harmlessly in my lap with the lens cap still on.
Flash performance is average – out to about 4 meters, subjects are nicely exposed. There is some red-eye in certain shots (the pop-up flash is only about 8cm off centre from the lens), but red-eye reduction mode seems to work well enough to reduce this. Canon also offers a slave unit for the PowerShot line, which apparently works remotely and without the use of a cable, but I have not explored this option.
There is a flash-compensation control in the menu, which allows you to vary the flash intensity so there is more or less flash than the metering would otherwise dictate. I have used this to good effect for “fill in flash” in bright, shadowy conditions. By setting the camera to forced flash and then setting the flash compensation low, areas of deep shadow (e.g. a bright beach scene with the subject’s face under a hat) can be brightened without an artificial look.
Even when using flash and image stabilisation extensively, and using the LCD screen constantly, battery performance is excellent with this camera. I did not keep count, but I was able to take hundreds and hundreds of shots before the batteries needed a recharge. I am very, very impressed with the engineering that Canon obviously put into power management on the S2.
LCD screen – trouble in paradise
The LCD screen on this camera let me down in two ways. First, it simply isn’t as bright and easy-to-use as it could be. In bright sunlight, especially when wearing sunglasses, it can be difficult to compose shots. The viewing-angle of the screen is also extremely limited. Unless you are within 10 degrees of centre, colour accuracy is lost. If you are viewing from much further off-centre, the picture is simply not viewable. This is not a major limitation when taking pictures, since the LCD articulates in all directions allowing you to get “on centre” easily, but when trying to play back shots it is impossible for a second person (never mind a third) to see properly.
The second problem with the screen surfaced about two weeks into my three-week trip. The LCD has switches and sensors in the articulating hinges that tell the camera when the display has been put in a position when the image should be flipped vertically (e.g. when the display turned to face the front). One (or more) of these sensors stopped working properly, so the image didn’t flip vertically when it was supposed to and the display did not work at all when folded flat against the camera body. This was not a show-stopper – I could still use the screen when folded out in different positions – but it is somewhat worrying when a complicated articulating part stops working properly on a three-month-old camera.
Warranty service was fine. Canon makes use of a network of local camera shops as repair depots (the Canon website revealed about a half-dozen in my major metropolitan area, and the closest was a 15-minute drive) instead of forcing customers to mail equipment in for service. My camera was back in less than two weeks, and seems to be working perfectly once again.
When working properly, the articulating screen allows you to hold the camera above your head or at your waist or in other discreet positions, which can be useful when trying to be subtle and capture candid shots. Regarding the viewfinder, Canon uses another smaller LCD here. I used it only occasionally. The resolution and colour fidelity seem okay, but the biggest drawback is a poor refresh rate, which becomes apparent when panning or shooting video.
Canon 12x image-stabilized lens
Canon has been in the business of making quality optics and lenses for a very long time. They have also been in the business of making innovative electronics for a long time. Finally, Canon is in the business of driving new technology into the marketplace at an attractive price. The 12x zoom image-stabilized lens on the S2 IS is testament to Canon’s prowess in all the above areas. This lens is the heart and soul of the camera. It has great optics, impressive light-gathering, modest distortion, minimal chromatic dispersion, silent motorized zoom, and the image stabilization really works.
The difference between a 3x or 4x optical zoom (common in most point & shoots) and 12x optical zoom is dramatic. Many reviewers of long-zoom prosumer cams talk about the “fun factor” of having so much flexibility (in the case of the S2, the equivalent range is 36mm - 432mm) in your hands. I could not agree more. The S2 really shines in “candid” photography when capturing subjects in a natural state without them knowing about it. At full zoom, it is possible to frame just the face of a subject at a distance of five meters, and if you are shooting with the articulating screen held as waist-level, subjects simply don’t realize you are composing a shot.
The camera also offers digital zoom, but I am not a big fan of digital zoom and did not explore it at all.
Canon’s image stabilization is a big plus, but it can’t work miracles. If you try to shoot at 1/8s or longer, you will see blurring, especially if the subject moves. Many photo enthusiasts claim that even with image stabilization and even with shorter exposures, tripod shots or those braced against a solid object will show better detail. In practice, image stabilization is good for about 3 aperture stops. In other words, images you would otherwise have to shoot at 1/60 to avoid camera shake, can usually be shot at 1/15s or 1/8s. When bracing the camera against a solid object, I was able to take shots as long as 0.5s to 1.0s with good results.
There are two macro modes: regular macro and super macro. Regular macro allows you to get within 10cm of your subject, and super macro allows you to literally bring the lens in contact with the subject, and still focus accurately. This is obviously something you want to carefully consider if the subject is sharp or scratchy or could otherwise damage the lens. I both macro modes, you must shoot at wide-angle; you can not zoom in. The S2’s lens suffers from some mild barrel distortion at wide-angle in any case, and in macro mode this becomes very pronounced. Corner sharpness in still very good, but you probably want to keep your subject centre-of-frame when shooting macro.
Shooting results
The S2 stores images in JPEG only – there are no TIFF or RAW modes. This is, I suspect, yet another area where Canon deliberately chose to keep the S2 “downrange” from their dSLR models. When using highest-quality settings, JPEG images are quite sharp with good saturation and no visible artifacting. Noise levels are very low at 50 ISO equivalent, even in shadows. There is visible noise at 100 ISO, but it is minimal – images are still crisp and usable even for printing enlargements. ISO 200 is still usable, but noise becomes a factor. At ISO 400 there is substantial noise, which would require plenty of post-processing in PhotoShop to manage.
As mentioned above, image stabilization really works. I have dozens and dozens of tack-sharp handheld shots, even at full zoom. This camera excels in nature photography, pulling distant subjects in effortlessly with vivid, realistic colour. Chromatic aberration (purple fringing) is virtually absent from my photos, regardless of zoom range or aperture settings.
When viewing captured images in playback, all the shooting data can be displayed, so you can easily see that a certain shot was captured at f8.0, 1/125s, etc. etc. This is useful for troubleshooting “bad” shots, and to understand what you did right with “good” shots. The above information did reveal a problem with some of my indoor and low-light photos. Occasionally, when using one of the auto modes with flash, the camera would select 0.4s exposure time instead of something more sensible like 1/125s. As a result, these shots were slightly overexposed and blurry. It is a testament to the effectiveness of Canon’s image stabilization that these handheld snapshots, even with 0.4s exposure time, exhibited only mild softness … unless the subjects moved in which case ghosting and streaking are obviously apparent.
I have not been able to figure out the cause of this exposure glitch. It only occurs in certain modes and at certain times, and it may well be some setting I have misconfigured in the various modes and menus. The S2 will store specific settings for each (or at least for many) individual modes, including esoteric settings such as 1st curtain vs. 2nd curtain flash and slow-sync flash. On the other hand, this could be a firmware bug or a warranty issue … my research continues.
Conclusion
My previous camera was a Toshiba PDR-3300, a 3 megapixel point & shoot with some advanced prosumer functionality. (Incidentally, this camera was actually run over by a car and survived the ordeal. Details can be found in my review of the Toshiba here: http://www.epinions.com/content_92871822980). Needless to say, this Canon is a dramatic upgrade in both features and quality.
Upgrades and shiny new electronics are always cool and exciting, but now after several months of ownership, I have formed a pretty good subjective impression of the Canon S2. The battery performance, fast startup, 12x zoom, movie mode, and quick buffer all add up to an enjoyable shooting experience where creativity is rewarded. At this price point, I can overlook the lack of TIFF or RAW, and even the lack of a flash hotshoe. Unfortunately, I can’t overlook the LCD problems and a few other minor limitations such as the 15s exposure maximum and the f8.0 minimum aperture. As much as I enjoy shooting with the S2, I simply can’t give it 5 stars.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 495 This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Flexible Enough for Enthusiasts
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