Without any doubt, the Canon
PowerShot S2 IS is a very likeable camera, as are most compact
digital cameras equipped with a long zoom. These are cameras
that offer a great latitude for the photographer, allowing
clear shots of both near and far subjects, a capability to
which the PowerShot S2 adds a very effective image stabilizer.
Indeed, the value of the image stabilizer should not be
underestimated. While a long zoom is a superb feature on a
compact camera, without any stabilization its usefulness is
compromised.
With long zooms, the slight,
inadvertent movements of the photographer are amplified at
the telephoto end — much the same way the image bounces
around while looking through binoculars.
The amplification of these inadvertent movements therefore
demand a fast shutter speed so as to freeze the image without
blur.
The optical stabilizer works by
counteracting the cameras movements, in effect dampening
camera shake the way a car's suspension absorbs the small bumps
in the road.
But, as it is with a car's
suspension, there are limits as to what the stabilizer can
absorb, and the presence of a stabilizer cannot be considered
an absolute guarantee that all images will appear to have
been captured with the camera mounted on a tripod.
Still, Canon provides two stabilization modes, and while
both are effective, the one that stabilizes the image at the
precise moment of capture is usually more effective than the
one that stabilizes both the viewfinder image, and the photo
at the moment of capture.
Aperture: f4.5, shutter speed: 1/125
sec, 50 ISO.
The image quality of the
PowerShot S2 is generally excellent, and in our opinion, better
than the S1's, the camera on which it is based. Photos are
sharp, and the added resolution of the 5-megapixel CCD clearly
yields more details. Nevertheless, although less pronounced
than it was with the S1, the S2's even longer zoom also exhibits
a slight chromatic aberration. The aberration — a purple
fringe — can become visible, sometimes unexpectedly,
on the edges of strongly contrasting image zones.
Aside from this, in all other
areas the S2 is nothing less than impressive. The new 12X
zoom captures very well-contrasted images throughout its focal
length range, and this even at the maximum telephoto setting
which is when other lenses can yield flat, low-contrast images.
Similarly, with daylight
shots, the PowerShot S2 IS delivers totally noise-free images
at 50 and 100 ISO. At 200 ISO, a bit of noise becomes noticeable
in the shadows, but it is minimal under most circumstances
and does not detract seriously from the image. At 400 ISO,
noise is more noticeable, particularly when the image is inspected
on a monitor at 100% scale, but at least with daylight shots,
400 ISO images remain completely useable, particularly if
they are printed to a maximum size of 5 x7 inch (12.7 x 17
cm).
Another impressive feature of
the PowerShot S2 is its Super Macro mode. The mode, engaged
by pressing and holding the macro mode button on the left
side of the lens, allows the camera lens to focus on a subject
that is literally touching its front lens element.
Of course, while the mode can yield superb macro shots, ensuring
that the subject is sufficiently lit can be a challenge, and
obviously great care must be exercised to avoid scratching
the lens accidentally.
Aperture: f6.3, shutter speed: 15 sec,
50 ISO.
The manually raised flash of the S2 provides strong and even
light, and is able to light a reasonable distance, producing
good images. But, we did note that on occasion while images
were correctly lit, we felt they could have been a touch brighter
and had to resort to a slight flash exposure compensation.
Alternatively, should even more illumination be necessary,
the accessory — and optional — HF-DC1 external
flash can be combined with the PowerShot S2 using the tripod
mount.
Canon also offers new features with the S2's movie mode. Movie
Snap makes it possible to capture a 5-megapixel image while
the camera continues recording a movie, a toughtful feature.
Moreover, the camera's movie mode is itself above average: not
only can the S2 capture a smooth 30 frame per second video clip,
the sound is captured in stereo — a huge improvement in
sound quality over mono systems — and the optical zoom
remains fully useable.
The PowerShot S2 IS is clearly one step beyond
the S1, which is the way it should be when a new camera is
introduced in the same family. The S2 offers a step up with
respect to the power of its zoom, the maximum resolution of
the CCD, the shooting modes it offers, the functionality of
its movie mode, and even adds capabilities such as the sound
recorder mode. All of which is why, as we stated at the outset,
the PowerShot S2 IS is a very likeable camera.
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