PowerShot S1 (not Pro1) looks like a winner!

Max Fun

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There's definitely a market for ultra-zooms, and currently on Panasonic has an offering for a stabilized one. The S1 Pro might only 3MP, but it's much smaller than the FZ10, has a swivel screen and a winning movie mode!

If the CCD is the same as the one in the A70, then I think the picture quality will be great!

I'll reserve my comments of the Pro 1 when we see more about it...

--
The Secret to Life is... Calcium!!
http://max-fun.fotopic.net
http://www.pbase.com/supperman
 
I'm with you on this one. I especially like the 26mm equiv. wide-converter option and the IS.

Lee Jay
There's definitely a market for ultra-zooms, and currently on
Panasonic has an offering for a stabilized one. The S1 Pro might
only 3MP, but it's much smaller than the FZ10, has a swivel screen
and a winning movie mode!

If the CCD is the same as the one in the A70, then I think the
picture quality will be great!

I'll reserve my comments of the Pro 1 when we see more about it...

--
The Secret to Life is... Calcium!!
http://max-fun.fotopic.net
http://www.pbase.com/supperman
 
I'd rather not have to deal with the problem of having to charge
batteries externally. Too bad they didn't include in camera
recharging.
Or did I miss something?
IMO, in-camera charging would be a bad idea, very bad. Even in an open charger, four NIMH batteries generate a lot of heat while charging... at times to the point where it's quite uncomfortable to hold your hand on them. Putting those same four batteries inside an enclosed camera, right next to a lot of sensitive electronics is a very bad idea. Of course they could allow only for trickle charging (ie, overnight recharge) rather than 1-hour charging, using less current and producing less heat, but then what is the point of that?

AA rechargables are so cheap now anyway that most people probably have 2 or 3 sets... so charging in-camera makes even less sense... just swap the discharged set for a fresh set and pop the empty ones in a charger.

Kevin
 
Rechargeable li-ion or nimh batteries are the only way to go (imho). Actually the best of both worlds occurs in cameras like the Nikon D70 which uses a rechargeable battery but it has an adapter allowing you to use AA batteries.
I'd rather not have to deal with the problem of having to charge
batteries externally. Too bad they didn't include in camera
recharging.
Or did I miss something?
IMO, in-camera charging would be a bad idea, very bad. Even in an
open charger, four NIMH batteries generate a lot of heat while
charging... at times to the point where it's quite uncomfortable to
hold your hand on them. Putting those same four batteries inside
an enclosed camera, right next to a lot of sensitive electronics is
a very bad idea. Of course they could allow only for trickle
charging (ie, overnight recharge) rather than 1-hour charging,
using less current and producing less heat, but then what is the
point of that?

AA rechargables are so cheap now anyway that most people probably
have 2 or 3 sets... so charging in-camera makes even less sense...
just swap the discharged set for a fresh set and pop the empty ones
in a charger.

Kevin
[/U]
 
what about street and MSRP figures??
There's definitely a market for ultra-zooms, and currently on
Panasonic has an offering for a stabilized one. The S1 Pro might
only 3MP, but it's much smaller than the FZ10, has a swivel screen
and a winning movie mode!

If the CCD is the same as the one in the A70, then I think the
picture quality will be great!

I'll reserve my comments of the Pro 1 when we see more about it...

--
The Secret to Life is... Calcium!!
http://max-fun.fotopic.net
http://www.pbase.com/supperman
 
The S1 does indeed look very interesting. The fact that the zoom can be used while filming (movie mode) makes it even more attractive! Here's a quote from LetsGoDigital:

"The zoom is driven by a tiny ultrasonic motor (USM). The motor uses ultrasonic frequency vibrations to drive a tiny rotor which is fast, powerful and highly responsive. In digital still modes it drives the zoom at maximum speed, while in video mode it slows for a smooth effect and runs virtually silent, avoiding interference with video sound recording"

If only the zoom went a bit wider. I'd take a 28-200 over a 38-380 any day, but that's of course not how most people see it...

Anyway, this looks like a winner if noise levels are acceptable.
 
The S1 does indeed look very interesting. The fact that the zoom
can be used while filming (movie mode) makes it even more
attractive! Here's a quote from LetsGoDigital:
"The zoom is driven by a tiny ultrasonic motor (USM). The motor
uses ultrasonic frequency vibrations to drive a tiny rotor which is
fast, powerful and highly responsive. In digital still modes it
drives the zoom at maximum speed, while in video mode it slows for
a smooth effect and runs virtually silent, avoiding interference
with video sound recording"

If only the zoom went a bit wider. I'd take a 28-200 over a 38-380
any day, but that's of course not how most people see it...

Anyway, this looks like a winner if noise levels are acceptable.
--
The Secret to Life is... Calcium!!
http://max-fun.fotopic.net
http://www.pbase.com/supperman
 
Sheesh. I can't believe they didn't upgrade to USB 2.0 that is 10x faster than USB 1.1. Now with an hour of video it is going to take forever to download to your computer unless you buy an external compact flash adapter.
:-(

I'm leaning towards an S500 or a Sony DSC-V1. Hate the V1 due to the memory stick. The V1 came out a year ago and it has USB 2.0.

Any other smallish cameras with good video that you would recommend?
 
That certainly sounds like a reason not to get a camera.

(not)
Sheesh. I can't believe they didn't upgrade to USB 2.0 that is 10x
faster than USB 1.1. Now with an hour of video it is going to
take forever to download to your computer unless you buy an
external compact flash adapter.
:-(
I'm leaning towards an S500 or a Sony DSC-V1. Hate the V1 due to
the memory stick. The V1 came out a year ago and it has USB 2.0.

Any other smallish cameras with good video that you would recommend?
--
Phil Askey
Editor / Owner, dpreview.com
 
That certainly sounds like a reason not to get a camera.

(not)
Why not? Some of us are not avid photographers that will go to great lengths to get the picture you want. The majority of us want convenience. It is more convenient to just plug in wires download, then go take more pictures then to:
1. Figure out how to take the card out.
2. Figure out how to take the batteries out.
3. Plug the batteries and flash card into the right place.
4. Wait
5. Reverse the above procedure.

What happens when you visit relatives? More stuff to remember to take. Also your computer desk is more cluttered.

Any people who like convenience think I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill?
 
Daniel Daniel, Daniel !!!
1. Figure out how to take the card out? are you serious???
2. Figure out how to take the batteries out? I know you are kidding me
3. Plug the batteries and flash card into the right place.???
4 Wait

That's it....wait. Just wait.

It obviously is too much of a bother for you.

I don't mean to sound so unconcerned but really. Taking pictures and downloading them and seeing them and even charging batteries etc is all of what it's about. The fun of photography and all the extra's that come with it is what turns me on.

If it's a bother to have to figure out how to take the CF Card out.....I don't know that I have much hope for ya.
That certainly sounds like a reason not to get a camera.

(not)
Why not? Some of us are not avid photographers that will go to
great lengths to get the picture you want. The majority of us want
convenience. It is more convenient to just plug in wires download,
then go take more pictures then to:
1. Figure out how to take the card out.
2. Figure out how to take the batteries out.
3. Plug the batteries and flash card into the right place.
4. Wait
5. Reverse the above procedure.
What happens when you visit relatives? More stuff to remember to
take. Also your computer desk is more cluttered.

Any people who like convenience think I'm making a mountain out of
a mole hill?
 
That certainly sounds like a reason not to get a camera.

(not)
Why not? Some of us are not avid photographers that will go to
great lengths to get the picture you want. The majority of us want
convenience. It is more convenient to just plug in wires download,
then go take more pictures then to:
1. Figure out how to take the card out.
2. Figure out how to take the batteries out.
3. Plug the batteries and flash card into the right place.
4. Wait
5. Reverse the above procedure.
What happens when you visit relatives? More stuff to remember to
take. Also your computer desk is more cluttered.

Any people who like convenience think I'm making a mountain out of
a mole hill?
load from camera at USB1.1 or pop the card out and download at a faster speed. Sure, USB 2 would be better but not a big deal IMO
 
I agree with everything you said, except for the part about charging batteries being fun ;)

Duncan
That's it....wait. Just wait.

It obviously is too much of a bother for you.

I don't mean to sound so unconcerned but really. Taking pictures
and downloading them and seeing them and even charging batteries
etc is all of what it's about. The fun of photography and all the
extra's that come with it is what turns me on.

If it's a bother to have to figure out how to take the CF Card
out.....I don't know that I have much hope for ya.
That certainly sounds like a reason not to get a camera.

(not)
Why not? Some of us are not avid photographers that will go to
great lengths to get the picture you want. The majority of us want
convenience. It is more convenient to just plug in wires download,
then go take more pictures then to:
1. Figure out how to take the card out.
2. Figure out how to take the batteries out.
3. Plug the batteries and flash card into the right place.
4. Wait
5. Reverse the above procedure.
What happens when you visit relatives? More stuff to remember to
take. Also your computer desk is more cluttered.

Any people who like convenience think I'm making a mountain out of
a mole hill?
--
http://www.actionimages.ca
 
Sheesh. I can't believe they didn't upgrade to USB 2.0 that is 10x
faster than USB 1.1. Now with an hour of video it is going to
take forever to download to your computer unless you buy an
external compact flash adapter.
:-(
I'm leaning towards an S500 or a Sony DSC-V1. Hate the V1 due to
the memory stick. The V1 came out a year ago and it has USB 2.0.

Any other smallish cameras with good video that you would recommend?
So get a $15 card reader. Faster and won't drain the batteries.

Mark
 

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