Canon Powershot S2 IS 5MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (OLD MODEL)
Brand | Canon |
Special Feature | Image Stabilization |
Item Weight | 1.1 Pounds |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 4.45 x 2.99 x 3.07 inches |
Included Components | Lens Cap, Battery, Neck Strap, SD Card |
Model Name | Canon Powershot S2 IS |
Film Color | Colored |
Compatible Devices | Camera |
Exposure Control Type | Manual |
Min Shutter Speed | 15 seconds |
About this item
- 5.0-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 17-inch prints
- 12x optical zoom; 1.8-inch vari-angle LCD display
- Records VGA film at 30 frames per second with stereo sound; includes wind filter and adjustable levels for sound
- MovieSnap feature allows you to capture a 5.0 MP still image while recording a movie; also features digital zoom and manual focus options for movies
- Powered by four AA-size batteries; stores images on SD memory cards
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Product Description
From the Manufacturer
From the Manufacturer Have it all in one ultracompact camera. The canon S2 IS's 5.0 megapixels of imaging power deliver stunning detail and clarity, even to oversized prints and the closest crop-ins. The impressively long 12x optical zoom is a feat of engineering, with Image Stabilizer (IS) technology that eliminates camera shake and a UD lens that provides brilliant color accuracy across the entire zoom range. The 4x digital zoom brings combined zooming power all the way to 48x for superb detail at sporting events, school concerts, and more.
The Canon S2 IS's powerful image stabilization compensates for camera shake. Because great shots can happen any time
Now there's no need to interrupt your movie when you see a great shot. With the S2 IS's new MovieSnap feature, you can simply press the shutter to capture a full 5.0-megapixel still image at any time while recording a movie.
True motion pictures with high-end options
Wait until you see the difference that 30-frames-per-second VGA continuous movie recording makes in your films. You'll hear the difference, too: the S2 IS is equipped to record in stereo, with a high sampling rate, adjustable microphone level setting, and wind filter option for excellent sound quality. The camera even allows digital zooming and manual focus during movie recording.
Advanced imaging technology improves every photo
DIGIC II Image Processor
Canon's DIGIC II Image Processor is designed to improve processing speed and image quality, so the DIGIC II processor provides markedly faster camera startup, autofocus, and playback plus it assures that every image is more colorfully vibrant.
iSAPS Technology
iSAPS Technology is an entirely original scene-recognition technology developed for digital cameras by Canon. Using an internal database of thousands of different photos, iSAPS works with the fast DIGIC II Image Processor to improve focus speed and accuracy, as well as exposure and white balance.
Fastest performance standard
PowerShot S2 IS supports the USB 2.0 Hi-Speed standard, so you'll enjoy the highest possible data transfer speeds when using a USB 2.0 compatible computer. The camera's performance level is high enough to take full advantage of super-high-speed SD memory cards as well.
Find just the right angle with the S2 IS's 1.8-inch vari-angle LCD display. See it on the big screen
Bright and sharp, the camera's power-saving LCD monitor measures a full 1.8 inches with a stunning 115,000 pixel resolution. With it, you can view your scene before and after you shoot it with extraordinary clarity. And when you're shooting at dusk or at night, Night Display function lets you see the display clearly. It brightens the object by reducing the frame rate on the LCD screen.
A substantial lineup of available accessories
PowerShot S2 IS lets you add value and take your photography even further with optional accessories. Wide-angle converter and teleconverter lenses prepare you for capturing any shot perfectly, while a high-power flash doubles your flash range for pro-level illumination.
The complete print solutions
Canon Direct Printing Compatibility Chart
Canon Direct Printers MP780 MP760 iP8500 iP6000D iP5000 iP4000 iP4000R iP3000 iP2000 S2 IS iP1500 i9900 i900D i960 i860 iP90 i80 i475D i560 S830D S530D CP600 CP400 CP-330 CP-300 CP-220 CP-200 CP-100/CP10 Direct photo printers
For desktop large-format printing, try one of the direct photo printers, which allow you to print directly in one of two ways: plug the compatible PowerShot camera into the direct photo printer using the supplied cable, or simply insert a memory card with supplied adapter. You can also connect the printer to your computer for more options. Print high resolution borderless images in post card size or 8.5-by-11-inch size within minutes.
What's in the Box
PowerShot S2 IS body, neck strap NS-DC3, AA-size Alkaline batteries (x4), stereo video cable STV-250N, interface cable IFC-400PCU, SD memory card SDC-16MB, digital camera solution CD-ROM, and lens cap.
Product information
Product Dimensions | 4.45 x 2.99 x 3.07 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 1.11 pounds |
ASIN | B0009GZSSO |
Item model number | 9883A019 |
Batteries | 4 AA batteries required. |
Customer Reviews |
3.9 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #457,485 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #3,335 in Digital Point & Shoot Cameras |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | May 10, 2006 |
Manufacturer | Canon Cameras US |
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the quality, picture quality, usability, and zoom of the digital camera. For example, they mention it's an outstanding camera, takes great pictures, and the manual is easy to understand. They appreciate the 12x optical zoom and the fact that it does not interfere with zooming and panning. Customers are also impresseded with the value for money, saying it'll give you great photos for the money spent.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the quality of the digital camera. They mention it's an outstanding camera with a high optical zoom and image stabilizer. They also say the movie quality is very good and that the pictures turn out well. Overall, most are satisfied with the product's quality and functionality.
"...They are flawless, and can shoot almost 600 full size pictures at a clip in 2.4 fps high speed continuous mode without a glitch...." Read more
"...Despite that, this camera still is a nice and well built digital camera and I rate it 4 stars and deducted 1 star for the smallish rear LCD view..." Read more
"...640x480 video @ 30 fps with stereo audio. This thing is a high quality camcorder limited only by the size of the memory stick...." Read more
"...The Canon had no issues mechanically or electronically all features and controls worked out of the box, quality control is evident...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the picture quality of the camera. They mention that it takes great pictures both indoors and out, has a vivid 5 MP resolution, and produces sharp, well-exposed pictures on automatic. The photos even in the auto mode are flawless, and the stabilizer on this camera makes for wonderful shots. Customers also appreciate the macro capabilities and the clarity, color, and detail are untouched by others.
"...I think it as easy to use as any camera out their. The pictures are easy to take and the camera has plenty of settings for me to use...." Read more
"...this camera is incredible, yet it is easy to make a quick shot that looks great no matter what the situation...." Read more
"...It works as a everyday digital camera for me that still manages to take good photos." Read more
"...No more tiny 320X240...this does a full crisp and clear 640X480 and it does it well!One last note... the stabalizer is amazing too!..." Read more
Customers find the camera very easy to use, with intuitive menus and buttons. They also appreciate the simple, high-quality digital camera's easy-to-access shooting modes and high-end user-friendly features. The setup is incredibly easy, and the camera has good manual features.
"...actually having the view screen swivel like it does makes it easy to shoot video, and get some pretty crazy angles for pictures.2...." Read more
"...selection of modes on this camera is incredible, yet it is easy to make a quick shot that looks great no matter what the situation...." Read more
"...-There are some neat shooting modes that are easily accessible, my favorites are under the Color's(not sure if that's right) wheel option...." Read more
"...Their uses and the menu descriptions are CLEAR, easy to find, and just about ANYONE could figure out what they do...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the zoom of the camera. They mention that it works well, has a 12x optical zoom, and a great macro mode. They also appreciate the long zoom and the fact that it does not interfere with zooming and panning while shooting a movie. The zoom capability, coupled with image stabilization, is outstanding. The preview zoom is particularly easy to use and helps make sure that you are really taking a picture.
"...of eliminating vertical jitter when shooting a movie, yet does not interfere with zooming and panning at all...." Read more
"...Pros:-12x Zoom is amazing.-Image Stabilized.-5mp is more than enough MP if your taking 4 x 6's or 8 x 10's..." Read more
"...NO LONGER A PROBLEM WITH THE CANON! No tripod...full zoom...you can hold onto your subject even if you are a bit wobbly ;)Go for it!" Read more
"...Through the lens viewfinder - which helps make sure that I am really taking a picture of what I am aiming at...." Read more
Customers like the performance of the camera. They say it works in spectacular fashion for both still pics and movies, produces consistent good results, and works well for novices. The camera works easily, has the best movie functionality, and is sturdy. The stereo mics also work amazingly well considering they are so close together.
"...This works fairly well, but the audio is put into a different folder so when you put the pictures onto your computer they aren't tied together at..." Read more
"...The S2 holds up like a champ. It has (by far) the best movie functionality among the three, and allows full and quiet use of the zoom capability of..." Read more
"...The optics and electronics worked wonderfully for just over a year and then something went wrong and my camera stopped working...." Read more
"...The stereo mics also work amazingly well considering they are so close together...." Read more
Customers appreciate the value of the camera. They say it's a great zoom camera for the money, and does a good job for the price. Customers also mention that it has a lot of features for the cost and is a fun buy.
"...of the expert reviews regarding this camera, it does a great job for the money spent." Read more
"...I wouldnt say its the perfect camera for beginners but it is well worth the investment and a pleasure to use once you get the hang of it...." Read more
"...I can shoot away & experiment all I want. In one small, affordable, incredibly engineered package, the S2IS is everything I have been looking for..." Read more
"...This represents a fantastic value for a high-end digital." Read more
Customers are mixed about the battery life of the camera. Some mention that it uses batteries quickly, while others say that it's long-lasting.
"...-Battery life is good, I can get a couple of hundred shots off before I need to recharge.-Shoots with double A's...." Read more
"...It comes with cheesy batteries so be sure to pick up some camera grade rechargables before you check out...." Read more
"...I still recommend the camera as it takes great pictures, uses AA batteries (the NiMH ones last a very long time) and has easy to use menus...." Read more
"...It's small, light, and has very good battery life...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the screen size of the camera. Some mention that it has a larger LCD, while others say that it's very small. Some say that the view finder is too small and the flip screen is smaller than expected.
"...I wish it was a little bigger, but actually having the view screen swivel like it does makes it easy to shoot video, and get some pretty crazy..." Read more
"...They are flawless, and can shoot almost 600 full size pictures at a clip in 2.4 fps high speed continuous mode without a glitch...." Read more
"...camera and I rate it 4 stars and deducted 1 star for the smallish rear LCD view finder...." Read more
"...As a stand-alone camera, the zoom range is fantastic, not quite as wide as I wanted, but that's fixable...." Read more
Reviews with images
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First about taking pictures. This is my first digital camera even though I have used other digital cameras before. I think it as easy to use as any camera out their. The pictures are easy to take and the camera has plenty of settings for me to use. I have hardly used anything besides auto, portrait, and landscape. All have given me better then I expected quality prints. The menus are easy to navigate; I hardly change any of the settings because it takes so great of pictures. I have started to use the features of where you can record sound to a picture, more to explain what the picture is. This works fairly well, but the audio is put into a different folder so when you put the pictures onto your computer they aren't tied together at all.
When I was reading reviews of this camera, some people said they had problems with red eye. This did worry me because one of the main reasons I was getting this camera was to take pictures of people. I can say now that out of some 100 or so pictures that I have taken of people (just straight on mug shots so to speak) I have had only about 2 -5 red eye problems. Most of them were so small that I hardly noticed it until I saw it on my computer, and then just removed it with any digital picture program. The Flash is a little on the weak side, but you only notice that if you are standing back probably more then 6ft. Also people have said this camera doesn't focus good? I'm not sure what they are talking about. I have only had maybe 2 times when the camera took a while to get the focus right. (By the way you can't even hear the lenses move in and out, it is so quick and quite it is amazing to me.)
Next about videos with this camera sense that is what one review was wondering about.
1) How much memory does it require to get about an hour of video?
This camera isn't made to replace your video camera. From what I have heard you can take 8 mins on a 1GB card (giver or take a minute.) That doesn't sound like a lot, and maybe you can get more on a 2gb card I'm not really sure. The most video I have taken is like 5 mins, and that was all I really needed. Just a couple of video shots here and there.
2) Is there any special equipment or software, not provided, that is needed to covert the recording to a DVD for viewing?
If you have a video burning program then you should be fine. The videos are put into AVI format and most of the time I have been able to just open the files in my burning program. I do know Canon provided some video editing program but I don't think that burns it to DVD but I could be wrong.
3) Can you edit the video? How?
Yes, you can edit the video either in Canon's program that comes with the camera (I haven't tried this program out so I don't know how good it is). Or just use any other video editing program. I have used Adobe Premier Elements and it has worked perfectly.
4) Can the conversion be done on any PC and/or any film processing service?
I'm not sure what this question is asking. Converting video? I think converting it between formants is easy.
5) How long does this take?
To convert? I don't know, I guess it would depend on how much footage you have?
4) How is the quality? Indoors? Outdoors? Sports/action shots?
The quality of the video is great! We bought a digital video camera (from Canon) just two years ago and my PowerShot S2 takes better video. The quality and sound are as good or better then digital video cameras that I have seen.
The only two downsides I have to the camera is:
1. The view screen on the back is a little smaller then I would have liked. The main reason it is so small is because it can swivel out and turn around and so forth. I wish it was a little bigger, but actually having the view screen swivel like it does makes it easy to shoot video, and get some pretty crazy angles for pictures.
2. Every so often when the batteries start to get low, I turn the camera on I guess two quickly or something and it well say I need to change the batteries. I wait a couple of seconds turn the camera on and it does just fine. Just ever so often I get that that message that I need to change my batters when I still have some juice lefts in them. I have only gotten 3 times in the 6 months I have had it.
This is a great camera, it isn't like your small compact point and shoot, but for anybody that wants a full range of features pulse be able to take some great video then you need to get this camera. Startup00@mstar.net
Some brands of digicams sport German or other Euro lenses. Some will no doubt argue, but after 35 years of being an active photographer, and a tech type of person, I feel that nobody makes high end lenses better than Canon makes them, and nobody makes more lenses that qualify as high end than Canon either.
The lens mounted on the S2 IS is the best of it's class. Even compared to quality SLR zoom lenses, it is a premium product. The camera is not a pocket cam, and does not pretend to replace one. Then again, it can do what no pocket cam can ever dream of, and can compete heads up with most digital SLR's in the hands of most people who buy a digital SLR. Truth is, most people who spend the bucks on a digital SLR would get far more from the purchase of an S2 IS.
The 5mp sensor produces 8x10 prints that rival 35mm quality. The VGA movie mode is simply awesome, and the DIGIC II chip is the same one that powers top of the line SLR's, which means outstanding speed from startup to shutdown. The selection of modes on this camera is incredible, yet it is easy to make a quick shot that looks great no matter what the situation. The continuous shot speed of 2.4 FPS is plenty when you consider that it isn't a burst mode. If you have a 1 gig memory card plugged in, it will shoot at the top speed until the card is full (around 600 pics at max resolution). The intervalometer function is a real treat, as you can shoot time lapse pics with a press of a button, and you have full control of how often the shutter trips, and for how long.
A 1 gig memory card will give you just over eight minutes of VGA movie time with high quality stereo sound. For most functions that don't call for a DV tape camera, 8 minutes of high quality TV screen sized full motion video is a long time. Consider that an old "super eight" film camera was only good for 3 minutes per reel, had no stereo sound, and wasn't as smooth as the S2's 30 FPS speed. Then there is the IS function. Between reviews and first hand experience, nobody makes an image stabilizing system as good as Canon makes it. It works in spectacular fashion for both still pics, and movies.
OK, other reviwers will compare specs, and show that the S2 IS is the top dog in the most useful class of cameras to hit the market in a long time. I just want to make sure that people thinking about buying a digital SLR look at the S2 first. I bought the S2, the lens hood, and lens adaptor, a closeup lens for use at max telephoto, a wide angle lens, a telephoto extender lens, a set of Hoyo UV and Polorizing filters, and a fine quality camera bag for under $1,000. My next purchase will be a slave flash to extend the flash range of the camera. The model offered by Canon is pretty cheap, and there are others to consider.
The bottom line is that the S2 is larger than a pocket cam, but much smaller and lighter than an SLR, and can beat the average SLR package to near death right out of the box for most shooting situations. Equip the S2 with a handful of accessories, and the casual SLR owner will have to spend thousands of Dollars on lenses, accessories, and a reasonable video camera just to keep up.
The S2 is a major compromise if you make a living taking pictures, and choose to spend thousands in order to make sure that you can handle every situation that pops up, but the S2 and a full compliment of accesories will fit in a medium small camera bag, weigh very little, and capture 95% of your shots just as well for under a grand. And it does awesome image stabilized still pics and movies.
I suspect that more than half of the people who buy digital SLR's would have been far better off with an S2, and would be enjoying new features well into the first Months of ownership. If you have the itch to step up, and you are torn between an SLR and a S2, buy the S2. You will be thrilled with what the UPS guy delivers. Buy the SLR in two or three more years. They might break out of the mold, and be ready for prime time in the consumer market by then.
Last note. I took my first pic with the S2 set to auto, flash on, at 12x zoom. I was sitting on my couch 18 feet away from my kitchen in dim evening light, with one incandescent light burning near my couch. I focused on a box of Cheerios sitting on top of my refrigerator (unlike many earlier digicams, the S2 locked on in a flash), and snapped the pic. The box was in a 3/4 view, so I could see the side panel, and the front face. Reviewing the pic on the camera, I was able to clearly read even the finest print on the side panel of that box. Take a look at the print on the side of a standard sized box of Cheerios next time you are in the market, and imagine snapping a handheld shot from 18 feet away, and reading every word in sharp detail on the camera display afterwards. Canon knows how to make a proper lens. And yes, Canon does Linux. I have been Windoze free for several years now, but free open source apps work fine with this camera, and I heard a rumor (I will try it soon on my Xandros box) that the Canon Win apps run under Crossover Office for Linux. Meanwhile, the camera app included in SuSE 9.3 communicates with the S2 as a PTP device with no problems.
Update - 7.10.05.
I have now used the camera for a little longer time, and had the chance to compare it more closely to it's Panasonic and Sony competitors. The S2 holds up like a champ. It has (by far) the best movie functionality among the three, and allows full and quiet use of the zoom capability of the camera while shooting movie clips. The stereo sound has amazing quality, and the built in wind screen function for the microphones work like a charm. The image stabilizer also does a fine job of eliminating vertical jitter when shooting a movie, yet does not interfere with zooming and panning at all. The zoom rate in movie mode makes for smooth operation, without a hint of lens motor noise spoiling the finished movie. Auto focus, and auto exposure during movie shooting are nothing less than spectacular. The S2 is simply the best TV quality movie taking still camera on the market. Period.
Memory cards.. I now have two SanDisk Extreme III 1 gig SD cards. They are flawless, and can shoot almost 600 full size pictures at a clip in 2.4 fps high speed continuous mode without a glitch. A good set of rechargeable batteries are able to keep up as well. None of the othe other cameras in this class can match it. I read from one reviewer that the Lexar 32x cards, and the SanDisk Extreme II cards work just as well. If so, it can save you about $20 per card. The more cards you have, the more movie time you can record.
On the primary still image side, I have concluded that it is a tight battle between the top brands, but Canon still retains it's title as the manufacturer of the overall best premium lenses. That's not a slap directed at the other two, as they all represent incredible optical quality. One area where the S2 is a clear winner is in function controls. Once you get used to the button layout, it is possible to execute very quick shooting decisions by pressing the right button, rather than roaming through nested menus. The other area is the Image Stabilizer. The Canon Image Stabilizer beats the offering from the other two hands down in both functionality, and user control. It is so good, you can take a handheld pic at 1/60 to 1/30 of a second at max zoom (nearly 500 mm compared to a 35 mm SLR), and clearly read the license plate of a subject vehicle located several hundred yards away from the camera.
Try that with a handeld SLR that does not have an image stabilized lens that alone costs more than the entire S2 package... The above issues are among the most important in the real world, and Canon delivers. Speed of startup, focusing, continuous shooting, and shutdown are close between the top three cameras, and Canon is not the fastest in all areas, but it has the best balance across the board. The final result will not only impress those who view your work, it will also impress you. Again, the ultimate margin from one to the next is small, but Canon offers the most complete package.
To sum up the update, the S2 has a very fast learning curve, outstanding accessory lenses, and overall best in class quality. I bounced mine off the asphalt from about three feet today with no ill effects. I wouldn't suggest you try it, but it survived just fine. The only scratch was to the ring of the Hoya UV filter I had attached to the lens (Thank God). If you are looking for the top camera in the new top consumer camera class, the S2 is it. Buy it and be real happy about how you spent your money.
I then reread the reviews from worst to best and found others with similar experiences, even with the Canon Digital Rebel XT, which I was seriously considering. Perhaps some of us received a batch of Monday morning products, because most people seem to have excellent results. Unfortunately, I wasn't one of the lucky ones.