S2IS for Castles & Museums?

[tkz4]

I agree, with the right set-up a dSLR can clearly yeild (much) better shots than the S2 under just about any circumstance (except some handheld telephoto circumstances)... I just don't think shooting in a museum sans flash is an example of the S2's shortcomings... Shooting action in low light (like a concert or sports or even parties without a flash) you absolutely have to have a dSLR, but if your subject stays still enough, or at longer zoom range, the IS effectively ISO 200 into ISO 1600-3200, and the S2 has a fast F2.7-3.5 lens that is relatively sharp wide open because its easier to make smaller glass optically good throughout its range.

If you want a more compact travel cam I think the S2 is a great option, even more versitile with its IS than the pro1. If you can carry more equipment, or are willing to move around more for your shot, a dSLR can't be beat
TK

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[tkz4]

I agree, if your subject isn't moving around ISO 100 will be fine because the IS will eliminate camera shake induce blur, even in relatively low light.

I have a pj, and the still pics are much higher resolution than even a HD native pj. If you stay at ISO 100 you will se no noise on the pj. You will see pixelation from the limitations of the pj. It helps to use a slideshow program that moves the image slowly across the screen. This makes the pixelation of the downsized print less visable.

Movie wise your in a bit of a pinch. There are some MPEG4 still cams, but none of there image quality is up to par, and they all lack image stabilization. The S2 has great image quality, but limitted recording time.

A possible work around is a stand-alone hard drive (sort of like an IPOD for pics and movies.) These come with or without screens, and can store from 20-80gb- so are great for backing up full SD cards on the road. You can shoot for a few hours, fill a card (600 pics or 8min video/MB) and then archive it into the hard drive. The ones with screens even do playback and output to your hotel TV. Here is an example: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=317305&is=REG&addedTroughType=search



Good luck on your decision. A dSLR set-up is ultimately more versitile and powerful, but not nearly as posrtable as an S2 + - wide angle adapter- which I believe will meet your needs.

Also, dSLR's require more thought to get the shot to come out well- a good thing if you are into photography, but maybe a negative if you wnat to quickly take pics while on holiday.

Hope this info helps, I know its not an easy decision. I came close to buying a Pentax DS.
TK
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[mojobean]

I appreciate all the help. I am leaning toward just being satisfied with the S2 & the good & the bad. BUT and I know this is a Canon forum what about that new Fuji S9000/9500 that is being shown. There is no IS but a 1.6 CCD & 640X480 Movie at 30FPS & a 28 to 300 Zoom Lens & Manual ring focus & manual ring zoom & Compact Flash & AAA Batteries which I like and it is said to be pretty good up to maybe ISO 1600 or beyond. I am not leaving until the middle of September so I could wait until the first week of September and still get up to speed on a new camera assuming I could get it fast at that time. Anyway how about some comments on this new Fuji S9000/9500 from you camera smart people. Does that maybe make good sense for me. After that I will just have to make a decision and go with it. Thanks very much!

 

[tkz4]

Its hard to comment solely on a spec sheet, and this camera has been discussed in another thread, but...

The 9500 sounds like it will have a lot of appeal if it is priced agressively. In many ways it is like a Pro1 with a bit more zoom and better speed and ISO performance. The bigger question will be whether it matches the Pro in terms of image quality.

Comparing it to the S2... The 9500's 9MP output is about 3400 pixels accross, so a 5MP crop (to compare to a S2) is 3400/2600=1.3 effective "digital zoom", which gets you from 300mm-> 390mm, very nearly what the S2 give you (432mm), while the 28mm is obviously a boon.

The combination of wide (28mm) and high resolution should give the 9500 a real edge in landscape shots.

I have a fuji F700, and I really love its ISO800 capability. ISO 1600 will be even better, but if the F10 is any indication, the 1600 will only be for emergencies, much like the ISO400 on the S2. So the 9500 gives you about 2 stops more than the S2, where as the IS on the S2 is good for 3-4 stops.

Image stabilization has the advantage of preserving image quality (detail will be lost in any camera as you turn up the ISO) and it is invaluable for movies and framing of shots. With it off the EVF (or movie) jitters.

High ISO has its own advantage of allowing faster shutterspeeds. This makes it usefull for concerts, parties and general indoor shooting uses as well as better stop-action for sports in lower light settings.

Given the choice (if I can't have both) I would choose high ISO performance over IS, but in this case the IS is more effective (3-4stops) than the ISO boost (2 stops). Also, I know you wnat movies, and IS is really helpful for theses (ISO has no impact here.)

So each will still ahve its pros and cons. If the image quality is really good at 9MP and the camera is not to big the 9500 might be a very compelling choice based on your described needs.
TK

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