[Nobody]

Hi, I'd like to upgrade to a very good ditigal camera. Presently I'm using a Canon Powershot A10, 1.3 megapixel camera.
I'm very interested in the Canon Powershot S2 IS because it offers a few features I find very important: Image Stablization, 12x optical zoom, a good movie mode and a flip LCD screen...however, I would like more than the 5 Megapixels it's offering so that I could make larger prints.
I'd like to have a lot of creative control in my picture taking, a good movie mode feature (I hardly use my ditigal video camera , but I have 2 small children so I need that option!), and be able to make prints up to 11x14 on my photo printer. Also, I don't want to lug around different lens.
Also, I'm not certain if this camera will work with my new system: PoweMac G5, running OS 10.4.3. In Canon's compatibility chart it states PTP connection but I'm not sure what that really means. Also, it isn't listed on the OS: X compatibility chart at apple.com
I'm wondering if it would be a wise decision to what until the Canon Powershot S3 IS comes out (when?) or if there is maybe another comparable camera out there with the kind of features I'm looking for? Any advice would be very helpful. Thanks, Janeen

[Martian]

The movie modes on digital still cameras produce reasonable movies, but they cant compare with a real movie camera. If you have little kids, you absolutely must get a proper movie camera. For memories of your little kids, movies are better than stills. If you take my advice now, one day while showing the movies to your grandchildren, you will drop to your knees and begin worshiping my memory.
Just for the record, our family values the old silent Kodachrome movies far more than the stills that my dad took of my sister and me.
On a more modest note, when selecting a digital camera, disregard the interface, get a memory card reader and transfer your files that way its faster.

[Nobody]

Eventhough we're not really a camcorder toting family, I do appreciate the advice. I didn't even think of using a memory card reader to transfer my photos - thanks alot.

[Rcovell]

I have the Canon S2 IS running on Panther and absolutely love it. I'm really good at taking bad photographs and this camera bails me out a lot. I love it for the same reasons you mention. I don't use movie mode at all, so bow to the above listed advice. I recently printed an 8x10 and it turned out magnificently on my $300 Epson all in one printer.
I generally use it in auto or landscape mode, so have little experience with the program modes. But, the camera is great, I love the EVF and will not have another personal camera without the variable angle screen, so my advice is to go ahead and get one. Bob.

[Martian]

Janeen, since you are committed to using a still camera for your videos, look for these features:
- Eyelevel viewfinder. This is actually more important than image stabilization for smooth, steady watchable clips. A plague on the TV makers like Sony and Panasonic who started the trend to delete proper viewfinders.
- Auto exposure continues to work throughout a recording important if you pan in uneven light. Operation of auto exposure during a scene really is "un-artistic", but is necessary when the dynamic range of lighting exceeds that of the recoding medium and you are trying to record your kids playing.
- Optical zoom continues to work throughout a recording nice feature, but not necessary.
- Auto focus (with manual override) continues to work throughout a recording more important at long focal settings. Could be that this feature is not available altogether?
- Uses memory cards of reasonable price and availability that are at least 1GB and fast enough to smoothly record 640x480 res at 30fps until full. This is important. Compact Flash and SD cards are the most desirable. (Another plague on Sony for their proprietary card at least when Apple pulls their proprietary crap, it has some small measure of superior functionality).
- Reasonable sound on-camera concealed mikes will greatly limit sound quality on all still cameras, but a few also have unacceptable artifacts like loud hiss or squeel.

[durandal343]

I have the Cannon s1 IS which will record 640x480 video at 30fps. I must disagree that one must absolutely get a standalone video camera. The video I shoot with the Cannon is very good. No, it is not the high quality of a video camera but it's great for the ocational movie of misc. things. I've burned these movies to dvd and such and they look great. The sound is also very good. In all I have been very pleased. That said I do own a digital video camera for longer movies (the other will only do 9 min. on my CF card). You cannont, however, disregard the quality and usefulness of the s1 (or s2 I assume) IS's video mode.

[durandal343]

My Cannon s1 IS plays well with OSX. I usually use a card reader, however, and would advise that you do the same. When buying a CF card make sure you get a high speed card as slower ones may not be able to do movies. Another thing I really like about the Cannon is that it takes AA batteries. I use some rechargable NiMH and they work very well. IF they die while I'm out and about it is usually very easy to pack along or buy some AA batteries. With a proprietary battery you do not have that option.

[Nobody]

Are you able to edit your movie clips at all or can you only burn them to dvd as is? And what software are you using to do it? Thanks, Janeen

[Martian]

I am sure all new Canons, and probably most other brands too, can do rudimentary editing right in camera. But so can Quicktime (maybe you need Quicktime Pro ??).

[durandal343]

I edit the clips right in iMovie. They get imported into iPhoto and I can then drag them into iMovie from the media browser and edit away.

[Nobody]

I bought the Canon S2 IS last Sunday (and a 1GB memory card) and so far I am pleased! I'm still learning how to use it but, I've been able to make two short test movie clips (one 1 1/2 min. and two at 2min.) and a dozen or so pics. I've notice that the quality from my first clip looks better than the last two. I'm not sure if its from my inexperience or just to be expected.
I just dragged the movie clips over to iMovie from iPhoto and will try my hand at editing! I'm a newbie to iMovie so, I'm excited to learn how to create my quirky little mini movie clips. Thanks! Janeen

[Rcovell]

Definitely a 'use it or lose it' camera, there's just so much it can do. I use mine to try and capture local sunsets, but, today, went to do some macro work. Turned out OK, but, I had to come in the house and get the User's Guide out, again, to remind myself of some of the procedures I'd forgotten. Sat here in my office taking pictures of my coffee cup, BTW they turned out great! Now if I could just remember what I did for next time. LOL. Enjoy your new camera!
Bob.

[durandal343]

There are different settings for the movie clips. I believe the best it will do is 640x480 at 30fps. If you have a lower res. or fps it will not look as good.

[daGrip]

I was happy to discover this topic. Just two days ago I purchased the S2 IS pro kit from a power seller's store on ebay. The USA "pro kit" includes extra Canon lenses (zoom & wideangle), filters, Canon bag, card reader, cleaning kit, desktop tripod & 1GB card, aside from the basic accessories in the camera box.
I'm looking forward to receiving this camera.
Oh and fwiw, regardless of it's capabilities, take it from someone who works in the film industry, it won't produce movies (no still camera will) as well as a DV camera.