s200? good or bad?

Member said:

Member said:

Better Direct Print support - Don't need this if printing from a PC.

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True and although some people want that, I'll skip this point and
consider it valid for you.

Member said:

Special effects on camera - Why would anyone want to mess with the
original photo on the camera when all these effects can be applied
later on the PC.

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For two reasons: You don't have to play around on an individual
photo basis to do those effects later on and the S200 can apply
those effects before doing the jpeg compression, reducing unwanted
artifacts if you post-process the photo.

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Still don't see the advantage here, but then again I don't usually bother with photo effects. If I did though, I still believe I would be better off doing it in software.

Member said:

Member said:

Orientation sensor - Isn't the LCD small enough? Is it worth seeing
the picture at half-size just to avoid rotating the camera?

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Think about the convenience here- when you download the pictures
using the canon software, you do not have to rotate the pictures on
an individual basis as the software will do it for you. IN the
long run I think this saves a lot of time.

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Rotating the occassional photo is not that difficult and doesn't seem like it would save a measurable amount of time.

Member said:

Member said:

10x playback zoom - ?!? It's already hard to scroll around an image
at 2x.

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Remember that the S200 has a better interface for scrolling, as
there are "arrow" buttons now with all four scrolling positions.
The other advantage of 10x playback zoom is if you took a picture
of a written phone number or address, or document and you need to
read small text.

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It probably is a littl easier to scroll around with the S200, but still think anything over 2x isn't needed. Unless I'm planning on using the camera for a spycam I don't see the need to read phone numbers taken from 100 feet away.

Member said:

Member said:

Also, from the photos I've seen, the S200 has a cheaper look and
feel to it.

I guess I'll have to wait for some of the reviews to come in, but
for now I see no reason to pick the S200 over the S110.

Click to expand...

Well, here's a couple other features that this camera has over the
S200 that make it imho, a nice improvement:

• Much better user interface - how many times you have to press the

menu button and use the buttons to navigate between movie and
picture? It's kind of annoying in the S110 but on the S200 you just
slide the button.

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Haven't had a problem with this. It's usually just a couple button presses.

Member said:

• IS0 400 noise fears- you can always take long delayed shots at

ISO 50 and get the lowest noise possible if needed

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I don't have a noise problem at ISO 100 so 50 isn't needed. I still think 400 might be nice, but I'm going to wait to see some sample photos.

Member said:

• ISO 200 should increase picture flash sensitivity while keeping

noise low

• New Spot metering mode. This makes certain difficult shots

possible, that are hard with the S110. With the S110 I have
usually resorted to "measure" an area that obviously has an overall
light intensity of the subject I want, press 1/2 shutter and pray
it will be the same on the intended subject.

• You can lock the Flash exposure for a particular area of the subject

• You can lock the Focus - I can see easier depth of field effects

possible this way. On the S110 you can lock the focus for the
immediate photo

• You can lock the Normal exposure also

• The camera will now indicate (like the S30), which focus areas it

is using for the AIF.

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How does it indicate this? From what I've read either the center focus square is active and highlighted in green or all three are. Also, I use the optical viewfinder to frame most of my shots. How are these focus areas represented there?

Member said:

• You can turn off the AIF. You can force the camera to focus on

the center only

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...which I prefer and which is what the S110 does.

Member said:

• You can turn off the Assist Lamp - nice for candid shots or

animal wildlife. On the S110v I discovered a "trick" which is that
you set the camera in landscape mode and then it will not turn on
the assist lamp.. but you get landscape focused pictures.

• You can manually set the white balance, using a sheet of white

paper illuminated under the conditions on which you are going to do
the shooting

• apparently (but I am not holding my breath on this one), the

movie playback will now include sound from the camera

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Only on the S330.

Member said:

• Battery life has improved by 25% longer. This is due to a new

battery, but the S200 can also use the S100/S110v's batteries,
which is nice, as I have an extra one.

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...and I can use the S200 battery in an S110 and get the longer life also.

Member said:

Anyhow, this features may or may not be important to you, but I
consider them realy really nice. To me long delayed shutter shots
+ higher ISO sensitivity are key features. Plus the improved user
interface.

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The only thing that interests me is the higher ISO. If that works well enough I may trade up to the S200...I just wish they hadn't messed with the body design on the camera.

Member said:

• Raist

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johare said:

johare said:

• You can turn off the AIF. You can force the camera to focus on

the center only

Click to expand...

...which I prefer and which is what the S110 does.

Click to expand...

Are you sure about that? The S300 I once tried used a so-called "intelligent" AF to determine what it would focus on, leaving ZERO control to the user. Very frustrating when you've used an SLR if only once...The new generation lets you SPOT focus, using the center area apparently, but that's fine. A HUGE improvement in my book !

Keith said:

Keith25106 said:

Keith25106 said:

• You can turn off the AIF. You can force the camera to focus on

the center only

Click to expand...

...which I prefer and which is what the S110 does.

Click to expand...

Are you sure about that? The S300 I once tried used a so-called
"intelligent" AF to determine what it would focus on, leaving ZERO
control to the user. Very frustrating when you've used an SLR if
only once...The new generation lets you SPOT focus, using the
center area apparently, but that's fine. A HUGE improvement in my
book !

Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure you're right. Here's what Canon has to say:

"The PowerShot S110 employs Artificial Intelligence Autofocus (AiAF) technology which uses a broad metering field to calculate the focal distance with high precision. AiAF of this camera uses three different focus points, and selects from the three focus results the point that will assure the best focus on the target. It delivers a crisp focus even when the photographic subject is off-center."

-barry

Keith said:

Keith25106 said:

Keith25106 said:

• You can turn off the AIF. You can force the camera to focus on

the center only

Click to expand...

...which I prefer and which is what the S110 does.

Click to expand...

Are you sure about that? The S300 I once tried used a so-called
"intelligent" AF to determine what it would focus on, leaving ZERO
control to the user. Very frustrating when you've used an SLR if
only once...The new generation lets you SPOT focus, using the
center area apparently, but that's fine. A HUGE improvement in my
book !

Click to expand...

I think you may be right. The AIAF system on the S110 does use a 3-point sample to determine focus. I haven't really had a problem with any of my photos being out of focus. In what situations would a spot focus work better?

Barry Margolius said:

Keith said:

Barry Margolius said:

Barry Margolius said:

• You can turn off the AIF. You can force the camera to focus on

the center only

Click to expand...

...which I prefer and which is what the S110 does.

Click to expand...

Are you sure about that? The S300 I once tried used a so-called
"intelligent" AF to determine what it would focus on, leaving ZERO
control to the user. Very frustrating when you've used an SLR if
only once...The new generation lets you SPOT focus, using the
center area apparently, but that's fine. A HUGE improvement in my
book !

Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure you're right. Here's what Canon has to say:

"The PowerShot S110 employs Artificial Intelligence Autofocus
(AiAF) technology which uses a broad metering field to calculate
the focal distance with high precision. AiAF of this camera uses
three different focus points, and selects from the three focus
results the point that will assure the best focus on the target. It
delivers a crisp focus even when the photographic subject is
off-center."

Click to expand...

As with all things "artificial" it works most of the time but since the operator has no control over it, there's no way a focus problem can be anticiapted and fixed...

Barry Margolius said:

-barry

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johare said:

just wish they hadn't messed with the body design on the camera.

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Why do you think they messed it up? As far as I can tell, they look pretty similar. And that's a good thing, cause imho the S110 is in a class by itself when it comes to good looks and feel.--Uncle Frank, Canon S110 & Nikon CP995 http://www.http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/root

johare said:

Keith said:

johare said:

johare said:

• You can turn off the AIF. You can force the camera to focus on

the center only

Click to expand...

...which I prefer and which is what the S110 does.

Click to expand...

Are you sure about that? The S300 I once tried used a so-called
"intelligent" AF to determine what it would focus on, leaving ZERO
control to the user. Very frustrating when you've used an SLR if
only once...The new generation lets you SPOT focus, using the
center area apparently, but that's fine. A HUGE improvement in my
book !

Click to expand...

I think you may be right. The AIAF system on the S110 does use a
3-point sample to determine focus. I haven't really had a problem
with any of my photos being out of focus. In what situations would
a spot focus work better?

Click to expand...

Well I'd have to say in ALL situations really if you're taking the picture yourself. I find it incredibly frustrating not to know what the camera is focusing on exactly. I suppose this "intelligent" AF could be useful in situations where you ask someone to take a picture with your camera and there's no point/time explaining the crucial merits of focusing and recomposing !

Keith said:

I find it incredibly frustrating not to know what the camera is focusing on exactly.

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Then maybe you need to consider one of the prosumer cameras that afford you total control over the focusing process. But the S110/S200 are point & shoot cameras, and intentionally take most aspects of the image acquisition process out of your control. Having acquired almost 2000 snapshots with my S110, I can assure you that its approach to focusing, whatever that might be, works extremely well under a wide range of lighting conditions.

Imo, the neat thing about the S110 is that it allows you to disregard the underlying technology and concentrate on composition. --Uncle Frank, Canon S110 & Nikon CP995 http://www.http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/root

Uncle Frank said:

Keith said:

I find it incredibly frustrating not to know what the camera is focusing on exactly.

Click to expand...

Then maybe you need to consider one of the prosumer cameras that
afford you total control over the focusing process.

Click to expand...

which is exactly what the S200/S330/A40 purport to do in terms of focusing !

UncleFR said:

But the
S110/S200 are point & shoot cameras, and intentionally take most
aspects of the image acquisition process out of your control.
Having acquired almost 2000 snapshots with my S110, I can assure
you that its approach to focusing, whatever that might be, works
extremely well under a wide range of lighting conditions.

Click to expand...

Good for you, but it's still nice to have the option to switch to spot focusing no ?

UncleFR said:

Imo, the neat thing about the S110 is that it allows you to
disregard the underlying technology and concentrate on composition.
--
Uncle Frank, Canon S110 & Nikon CP995
http://www.http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/root

Click to expand...

graph101 said:

ive been reading specs but never saw a speaker on the S200 for
movie playback. only the S330 has it.

Click to expand...

graph:

Interesting to hear you that you found no speaker on the S200, because
the S200's specifications (in the image recording format section)
http://www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/PSS200/PSS200_spec-e.html
says:

Movies :
AVI (Image data : Motion JPEG
Audio data : WAVE [monaural])

It appears to me (from reading that spec) that the S200's movie clips does INCLUDE recording (WAV format) sound. So . . . either the S200 actually does include a speaker (somewhere hidden?), or that you can only hear the audio portion of the clip if you export the clip to a computer or other source which supports WAV audio. Anyone have more input on this?

Scotty

That's true...both the S200 and S330 support recording of video with audio, however only the S330 has a built-in speaker for playing back the audio portion on the camera.

Scottyee said:

graph101 said:

ive been reading specs but never saw a speaker on the S200 for
movie playback. only the S330 has it.

Click to expand...

graph:

Interesting to hear you that you found no speaker on the S200, because
the S200's specifications (in the image recording format section)
http://www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/PSS200/PSS200_spec-e.html
says:

Movies :
AVI (Image data : Motion JPEG
Audio data : WAVE [monaural])

It appears to me (from reading that spec) that the S200's movie
clips does INCLUDE recording (WAV format) sound. So . . . either
the S200 actually does include a speaker (somewhere hidden?), or
that you can only hear the audio portion of the clip if you export
the clip to a computer or other source which supports WAV audio.
Anyone have more input on this?

Scotty

Click to expand...

Scottyee said:

either the S200 actually does include a speaker (somewhere hidden?), or that you can only hear the audio portion of the clip if you export the clip to a computer or other source which supports WAV audio. Anyone have more input on this?

Click to expand...

The S110 has a microphone, but no speaker. You can shoot video clips plus sound but can only review the video portion on camera. However, if you use the included accessory cable that lets you hook up to a TV, you'll be able to review both video and sound.

I presume the S200 will follow the same format.--Uncle Frank, Canon S110 & Nikon CP995 http://www.http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/root

Well, most of this is probably personal preference, but...

The S110 has a little perforated gold disc where the microphone is. The S200 just seems to have a hold punched in the front of the camera.

The S110 has a 'ridge' on the back which my thumb rests perfectly on to support the camera. The S110 also has a small raised area on the front with the Canon logo on it which in addition to looking nice also helps support the camera.

I don't like the way they reduced the size of the brushed steel ring around the lens assembly.

Uncle Frank said:

johare said:

just wish they hadn't messed with the body design on the camera.

Click to expand...

Why do you think they messed it up? As far as I can tell, they
look pretty similar. And that's a good thing, cause imho the S110
is in a class by itself when it comes to good looks and feel.
--
Uncle Frank, Canon S110 & Nikon CP995
http://www.http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/root

Click to expand...

http://www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/PSS200/PSS200_1-e.html

click on that link and try to look for the hidden speakers. Man if it had a speaker i wouldve gotten the S200 and not the S330. assuming it had a hidden +1x zoom =).

but i do think canon is capable of adding a speaker and even more zoom. but thats marketing =(

I just checked my S200 order status on Dell's website and it STILL says the est. ship date is tomorrow: 4/3. I also called Dell and the rep told me that as far as he could tell, that my order should ship out tomorrow.

Odd, cuz it seems like there are a few people here who ordered the S200 even before I did and had their estimated ship date moved back (by Dell) to a later date.

Now I'm wondering if my S200 is really shipping out tomorrow or not.

I guess at this point, I'll just have to wait and see. In the meantime, I'm curious what kind of experiences others have had with Dell and keeping shipping commitments.

Scotty

johare said:

That's true...both the S200 and S330 support recording of video
with audio, however only the S330 has a built-in speaker for
playing back the audio portion on the camera.

Click to expand...

Johare, the manual in the S200 does mention you shoudl hear audio. But again I am going to wait until I see it, it could very well be a typo.

• Raist

The only reference I found in the entire S200 manual which suggests that it would play sound is on page 79 and I think they are refering to it playing thru the AV connection. There isn't a speaker anywhere on that camera.

Raist3d said:

johare said:

That's true...both the S200 and S330 support recording of video
with audio, however only the S330 has a built-in speaker for
playing back the audio portion on the camera.

Click to expand...

Johare, the manual in the S200 does mention you shoudl hear audio.
But again I am going to wait until I see it, it could very well be
a typo.

• Raist

Click to expand...

Same date 4/3 for mine.... but i guess that will change tomorrow !

Scottyee said:

I just checked my S200 order status on Dell's website and it STILL
says the est. ship date is tomorrow: 4/3. I also called Dell and
the rep told me that as far as he could tell, that my order should
ship out tomorrow.

Odd, cuz it seems like there are a few people here who ordered the
S200 even before I did and had their estimated ship date moved
back (by Dell) to a later date.

Now I'm wondering if my S200 is really shipping out tomorrow or not.
I guess at this point, I'll just have to wait and see. In the
meantime, I'm curious what kind of experiences others have had with
Dell and keeping shipping commitments.

Scotty

Click to expand...

hehe guess what mine is? 5/5!! (i ordered on the 1st). i guess i'm in for the long haul. =(

Ohioguy said:

Scottyee said:

I just checked my S200 order status on Dell's website and it STILL
says the est. ship date is tomorrow: 4/3. I also called Dell and
the rep told me that as far as he could tell, that my order should
ship out tomorrow.

Odd, cuz it seems like there are a few people here who ordered the
S200 even before I did and had their estimated ship date moved
back (by Dell) to a later date.

Now I'm wondering if my S200 is really shipping out tomorrow or not.
I guess at this point, I'll just have to wait and see. In the
meantime, I'm curious what kind of experiences others have had with
Dell and keeping shipping commitments.

Scotty

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I heard that Dell will not be selling the S200 until they deplete their existing stock of S110's. If you look at their site the S200's have disappeared (even link to product id A0009084 is now invalid) and they only are listing S110 and S330 models.

Andrew M. Zhou said:

Ohioguy said:

Scottyee said:

I just checked my S200 order status on Dell's website and it STILL
says the est. ship date is tomorrow: 4/3. I also called Dell and
the rep told me that as far as he could tell, that my order should
ship out tomorrow.

Odd, cuz it seems like there are a few people here who ordered the
S200 even before I did and had their estimated ship date moved
back (by Dell) to a later date.

Now I'm wondering if my S200 is really shipping out tomorrow or not.
I guess at this point, I'll just have to wait and see. In the
meantime, I'm curious what kind of experiences others have had with
Dell and keeping shipping commitments.

Scotty

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