Canon’s 5 megapixel Powershot S2 IS Digital Camera features a fast f/2.7-f/3.5 image stabilized 12x zoom lens (36-432mm equivalent)..
The PowerShot S2 IS also features a variable-angle 1.8 inch LCD screen. Power is provided by the same DIGIC II processor found in Canon’s pro-series D-SLR cameras, the Canon Powershot S2 IS features fast 2.4 fps shooting, start up times and auto focus speeds almost twice as quick as that of its predecessor, 18 shooting modes and shutter speeds to 1/3,200 of a second.
|
[Full Canon Powershot S2 IS Spec Sheet at Digital Camera Info]
|
[Sample Canon Powershot S2 IS Images On Canons Japanese Website]
[Sample Canon Powershot S2 IS Images On DP Review]
[Sample Canon Powershot S2 IS Images On Megapixel]
|
Pocket Lint – The Canon Powershot S2 IS provides a superb range of features and great handling abilities in a relatively small package and gives more than adequate results at a resolution that is ample for prints up to and over A3 in size. Even with Canon’s recently announced avalanche of new cameras, it still sits neatly in the range providing an enthusiast level of performance and specification at nearly half the price.
[Canon Powershot S2 IS Review At Pocket Lint]
Digital Camera Info – The Canon PowerShot S2 picks up where the PowerShot S1 IS left off, though not perhaps in the ways some might expect: it improved upon the S1’s strengths while still falling short in all the same areas. The S2 makes significant strides in the push towards hybrid functionality, adding stereo recording, manual audio controls, dual recording buttons, and a wind reduction function. The 12x optical zoom lens is extremely versatile and includes selectable stabilization settings to optimize performance and distinguish it from other ultra zoom models—and if it’s not versatile enough, the user has the option to purchase compatible accessory lenses for increased wide angle and telephoto capabilities. The flip-out 1.8†LCD, which can swivel 270 degrees, is not wholly unique but not yet common either. Its 5 MP images can now be recorded to an SD card, and the improved macro mode makes those cliché shots of dew-sprinkled flower petals easier than ever.
[Canon Powershot S2 IS Review At Digital Camera Info]
PC Magazine – The camera scored an average of 1,350 lines of resolution, which is fine for a 5MP camera. It booted up very quickly, in just 2.1 seconds, but performed quite poorly on our recycle test, clocking in at 6 seconds flat—not very good if you’re hoping to catch all the action. The camera showed hardly any shutter lag, and we saw just a little barrel distortion and no pincushion distortion at all. We tested also all three types of image stabilization (continuous, shoot only, and panning) available in the camera and found that all worked well in both low and bright light (the panning mode was the most effective).
[Canon Powershot S2 IS Review At PC Magazine]
CNET – Thanks to the company’s Digic II processing, Canon’s PowerShot S2 IS performs admirably. Start-up to first shot–including the time allotted for the lens to extend–was just more than 2 seconds. The lens moved smoothly and quietly, except for minor groaning at start-up. We noticed little distortion at either extreme. Shot-to-shot time without flash was fast at 1.3 seconds, although flash recycling added almost 3 seconds of waiting. There was minimal shutter lag and autofocus worked well even in low light, thanks to the addition of an AF illuminator lamp.
[Canon Powershot S2 IS Review At CNET]
Megapixel –
Positives
Excellent image quality.
Powerful 12X zoom lens.
Effective Stabilization system.
Silent and fast zoom motor.
Hinged LCD monitor.
Stereophonic sound.
Can be used to record audio.
Negatives
Occasional chromatic aberration with high contrast subjects.
No RAW or uncompressed image format.
EVF image still a bit coarse.
[Canon Powershot S2 IS Review At Megapixel]
Lets Go Digital – The excellent working stabilisation combined with the high resolution is pleasant to work with. It makes photographing a lot more relaxed. The effort to keep the camera as still as possible when photographing in large telephoto, is no longer an issue. The sound quality and the possibility of taking pictures during recording a video enhance the multi-media joy. The camera’s hand fit is perfect, thanks to the obvious handgrip. Colour rendition and exposure are both excellent and hardly require any corrections. Add to this the remarkably economical character of the camera and Canon once again impressed friend and foe with a high quality digital camera added to the Mega zoom group.
[Canon Powershot S2 IS Review At Lets Go Digital]
DesignTechnica – Although I liked the final stills and videos I took with this speedy, responsive camera, Canon is asking way too much from consumers to get up to speed. Granted, an experienced shutterbug will have less difficulty wading through the extremely dense owner’s manual. And if you plan to simply shoot in Auto or with the various scene modes, the camera will do the trick. Yet the deal breaker for me is the manual flash. Imagine taking a critical shot, pressing the shutter then realizing you have to open the flash. In that critical moment, the memory could be gone. Toss in the fact that you don’t get rechargeable batteries and a charger, and this mega zoom camera moves near the bottom of the list of available options.
[Canon Powershot S2 IS Review At DesignTechnica]
Digital Camera Resource – All-in-all I really like the PowerShot S2 and it gets my highest recommendation. I think the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 is more of a “photographers” camera with its sturdier construction, manual focus ring, and hot shoe, with the S2 being more of an all-around tool for still and video shooting. Close behind are the Panasonic FZ5 and Sony DSC-H1, and neither of these cameras should be overlooked. The best thing to do is get yourself to a camera store and try them all out to see which you prefer. Whichever of those four you choose you’ll still end up with a great ultra zoom camera.
[Canon Powershot S2 IS Review At DC Resource]
DP Review – 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.
[Canon Powershot S2 IS Review At DP Review]
|
[DesignTechnica Canon Powershot S2 IS User Comments]
[CNET Canon Powershot S2 IS User Comments]
[Epinions Canon Powershot S2 IS User Comments]
[Photogrpahy Review Canon Powershot S2 IS User Comments]
[Circuit City Canon Powershot S2 IS User Comments]
[Amazon Canon Powershot S2 IS User Comments]
|
Press Releases – April 22, 2005
New Canon Powershot S2 Is Digital Camera Addresses High Performance Photography And Video Recording Needs
Five Megapixel Hybrid Digital Camera Features 12x Image Stabilized Optical Zoom, High Quality VGA Movie Mode, New “MovieSnap” Function and Stereo Sound
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., April 22, 2005 – Family vacations. Weddings. Sporting events. Baby’s first steps. Just hanging around. Canon’s new five megapixel PowerShot S2 IS digital camera allows consumers from the novice to the photo enthusiast the ability to capture high quality still images and movie clips of life’s most significant events.
“Canon leads the photo industry. Our convergent digital imaging technologies allow consumers to enjoy both high quality photos and video in one portable imaging device,” stated Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the consumer imaging group at Canon U.S.A., Inc, a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ). “The PowerShot S2 IS digital camera combines exceptional ease-of-use, functionality and image quality in a lightweight package.”
“Digital cameras with movie capabilities have the highest penetration and primary usage rate compared to other types of capture devices,” said Mike Wolf, Director of Digital Photography research at InfoTrends CAP Ventures. “The top reasons consumers use these digital camera hybrids are ease-of-use, compatibility and ability to share video clips through email,” said Wolf. “The PowerShot S2 IS digital camera addresses these issues and more by fulfilling the demands for both still image photography and movie recording.”
Say Cheese – Photo Features
The five megapixel PowerShot S2 IS digital camera provides users with the high quality resolution, color and low noise that consumers have come to expect from Canon. The camera’s fast f/2.7(W)-f/3.5(T) image stabilized 6.0-72.0mm 12x zoom lens (36-432mm equivalent) makes tack-sharp long telephoto shooting positively practical. When the optical zoom is augmented with the camera’s 4x digital zoom, the maximum focal length effectively becomes equivalent to a 1728mm lens on a 35mm camera. Despite its extensive optical range, the lens is ultra-compact and retracts securely into the camera when it is powered down. In addition, there are two levels of close-up shooting, Macro and Super Macro. Super Macro mode enables extreme close-up shooting to 0 cm from the end of lens barrel, for creative shooting – great for shooting flowers to use in scrapbooks, on invitations and more.
High Definition 12x Optical Zoom Lens With Image Stabilizer
Canon used its unrivalled optical expertise to produce an ultra-compact 12x zoom lens that features 11 elements in nine groups, including one aspherical surface and one ultra-low dispersion glass (UD) element. The UD element is particularly effective at reducing chromatic aberration when the lens is zoomed out to its maximum telephoto range for enhanced sharpness and color fidelity.
What Next – Print Features
You’ve taken the picture, reviewed it, like it and can not wait to print it out. What next? Direct Printing significantly expands the appeal of the PowerShot S2 IS digital camera by making it simple, quick and convenient to produce high-quality photos without the need for a personal computer. Simply connect the S2 IS directly to a Canon Compact or Canon Direct Photo Printer, as well as PictBridge compatible printer and press the blue lighted Print/Share button on the back of the S2 IS and you are printing. True one touch printing it is really that simple. Beyond its Direct Print capability with Canon’s Compact Photo Printers and acclaimed Canon Direct Photo Printers, the camera is also PictBridge compatible, an industry standard that offers the flexibility of direct printing to other brands of PictBridge compatible printers
Ergonomic Design
The camera’s compact ergonomic design includes strategically placed controls for convenient telephoto and movie shooting, plus a large rubberized grip, which makes holding the camera easy, well balanced and secure. The grip even includes a soft back and bottom to maximize comfort during long periods of shooting. The PowerShot S2 IS digital camera also features a variable-angle 1.8 inch LCD screen. By positioning the vari-angle LCD monitor appropriately, the user is free to compose shots, even self portraits, without having to move or twist into uncomfortable positions.
Stay Right There
Are shaky hands a problem? Do pictures never come out the way they ought to look? With Canon’s optical Image Stabilization technology, users have the flexibility of actually shooting at shutter speeds two stops lower than would otherwise be possible. The PowerShot S2 IS digital camera is also the first PowerShot digital camera with multi-mode Image Stabilization – users can choose between Continuous IS, Panning IS and a new “Shoot Only” IS mode that is only active during exposure while shooting still photos.
Versatile Exposure Modes and More
PowerShot S2 IS digital camera users will enjoy the flexibility of a full array of exposure control settings similar to SLR models, including Program, Shutter and Aperture- priority AE modes, and Manual Mode. In addition, there are 18 Shooting Modes including six Special Scene Modes, which are Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Indoor and Night Snapshots, for optimum results in certain shooting situations . The PowerShot S2 IS digital camera has a maximum shutter speed of 1/3200 second and can capture still photos continuously at rates up to 2.4 fps
Fast Focus And Zoom
Did you ever attend a wedding, try to sneak a picture of the bride and groom after the ceremony started and the sound of your camera gave you away? Not anymore with Canon’s Ultrasonic Motor (USM) technology. The silence of the USM is particularly beneficial in the PowerShot S2 IS digital camera’s movie mode to preserve and enhance the quality of audio recording.
Movie Features
The PowerShot S2 IS digital camera keeps data compression rates low, so movies record at high quality with VGA resolution at 30 frames per second (fps). Individual movie clips can last as long as 60 minutes or produce file sizes up to 1GB on an SD media card. What’s more, powerful features such as optical and digital zooming, manual focus, Photo Effects and My Colors are available for greater freedom and flexibility while shooting movies.
What Did You Say?
That question will never be asked again with the PowerShot S2 IS digital camera’s stereo sound capabilities. The new camera is equipped with 16-bit audio recording at sampling rates adjustable up to 44 kHz. Microphone recording levels are adjustable in 5 steps, as well as built-in wind filter to minimize extraneous sound. Now Mom will not miss baby’s first words while she is at work or running an errand. Additionally, the camera can be used for recording lectures, dictation.
MovieSnap – Never Miss Another Photo Opportunity While Shooting Your Movies
Have you ever missed a defining moment in your child’s life because you had to switch from video to still or vice versa? Not anymore! Now with the PowerShot S2 IS digital camera’s new MovieSnap feature it is possible to capture still images at resolutions up to five megapixels while recording movies. The MovieSnap feature provides consumers with the luxury of “preserving the memory as a movie,” while capturing high quality 5MP stills of the defining moments. For instance, a father can record his daughter’s dance recital and take quality still photos while in movie mode, or record movies of his son’s first steps while capturing a still image of his first fall. Regardless of mode dial position or whether the camera is in shooting or playback mode, the PowerShot S2 IS digital camera automatically starts or stops recording movies simply by pushing a button on the back of the camera.
Other Movie Enhancements
In addition to the 30 fps VGA movie mode, S2 IS camera users can also shoot VGA movies at 15 fps to reduce file sizes and increase recording time. For maximum recording times, resolution can be reduced to QVGA (320 x 240 pixels) at framing rates of 15 or 30 fps. The PowerShot S2 IS digital camera features a five-mode slow motion replay function, as well as an in-camera editing that lets users chop unwanted footage from the beginning or end of a movie clip.
DIGIC9(R) II – Hi-Speed USB 2.0
True to the tradition of all PowerShot digital cameras, the PowerShot S2 IS model has the latest advances in Canon technology including the proprietary DIGIC II Imaging Processor. DIGIC II enhances picture definition, crisp vibrant colors and quality, while helping increase the speed of the cameras’ startup, autofocus, shutter response and playback as well as the image processing speed. The pace of image transfer is accelerated with the inclusion of a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port. The USB 2.0 port is backwards compatible (at no increased speed) with computers featuring standard USB 1.1 connections.
My Colors Function
Now even the most casual picture-taker can easily opt for verdant valleys of greener greens, juicy apples of redder red, skies and seas of bluer blue and even add or reduce a little tan to the skin tone as they are shooting. Whether the desired effect is to make the color “more real” or surreal, these digital dynamos are capable of capturing and saving both the original still image and the enhanced color versions as separate files on the camera’s SD memory card.
Convenience of AA Batteries
For all of its features, versatility and capabilities, the camera is powered by four easily accessible AA batteries and accepts either Alkaline (disposable) batteries or rechargeable Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) batteries. Alkaline batteries are rated for approximately 130 shots before they need to be replaced, while Canon NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride NB4-200 AA-size batteries) provide peak performance and approximately 550 shots on a single charge.
Optional Accessories
To enhance its flexibility, the PowerShot S2 IS digital camera is compatible with several optional accessories, including wide-angle, telephoto and close-up supplementary lenses. The S2 IS digital camera is also compatible with the Canon High-Power HF-DC1 auxiliary flash unit, which increases flash range up to 23 feet.
Pricing and Availability
The PowerShot S2 IS digital camera is supplied with a neck strap and interface cables for USB and stereo/video, as well as a 16MB SD memory card, powerful software, and user manuals. The PowerShot S2 IS digital camera will be available in June for an estimated street price of $499.99*.
About Canon U.S.A., Inc. Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed as one of Fortune’s Most Admired Companies in America, and is ranked #35 on the BusinessWeek list of “Top 100 Brands.” Its parent company Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is a top patent-holder of technology, ranking third overall in the U.S. in 2004, with global revenues of $33.3 billion. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.
Latest Pricing at Amazon
