Deciding between Canon S2 and Sony H2

SMK · November 19, 2006 11:15PM

I'm trying to decide between the two. I don't like the Canon S3 which is why I'm going with Canon S2($279). I've heard good things about the Canon S2 for coin photography as well as others. But does anyone use the Sony H2 for coin photography? I want a camera that's good for coins and regular day to day use.
Thank you.

AU58WALKERS · November 20, 2006 1:29AM

bttt

topstuf · November 20, 2006 1:35AM

I just got a Sony S-500 for 139 that seems to be pretty good. I'm finding more controls like white balance by reading the info on the CD that comes with it.

?????????

AU58WALKERS · November 20, 2006 1:38AM

could you post a coin picture taken with it?

66Tbird · November 20, 2006 2:02AM

Why don't you like the S3?

topstuf · November 20, 2006 2:04AM

Here's a quickie with ambient lighting. Much reduced in size. The biggies show EVERYTHING.

also ...hand held

notwilight · November 20, 2006 2:07AM

I've used several canon cameras and a few nikons over the past few years. I like the canons a lot. However, the don't all have good macro functions for taking coin photos. The S2, S3, and G7 should all be fine but I can't say for sure. I looked on the site and that S3 has an amazing zoom lense. does the S2 have the same one?

SMK · November 20, 2006 2:10AM

<< Why don't you like the S3? >>

I checked it out at the store, unlike many others I didn't like the black/gunmetal color. The S3 is 6MP. Not much difference between the S2 and S3 for the price difference. S2 is $279 and S3 is $350

SMK · November 20, 2006 2:11AM

<< I've used several canon cameras and a few nikons over the past few years. I like the canons a lot. However, the don't all have good macro functions for taking coin photos. The S2, S3, and G7 should all be fine but I can't say for sure. I looked on the site and that S3 has an amazing zoom lense. does the S2 have the same one? >>

Both S2 and S3 has 12X zoom.

airplanenut · November 20, 2006 2:23AM

<< 

<< I've used several canon cameras and a few nikons over the past few years. I like the canons a lot. However, the don't all have good macro functions for taking coin photos. The S2, S3, and G7 should all be fine but I can't say for sure. I looked on the site and that S3 has an amazing zoom lense. does the S2 have the same one? >>

Both S2 and S3 has 12X zoom. >>

Digital or optical zoom?

SMK · November 20, 2006 2:28AM

<< 

<< 

<< I've used several canon cameras and a few nikons over the past few years. I like the canons a lot. However, the don't all have good macro functions for taking coin photos. The S2, S3, and G7 should all be fine but I can't say for sure. I looked on the site and that S3 has an amazing zoom lense. does the S2 have the same one? >>

Both S2 and S3 has 12X zoom. >>

Digital or optical zoom? >>

12X Optical, 4X digital, 48X combined

topstuf · November 20, 2006 2:44AM

Here's another hand held in a slab. Shows the scratches on the plastic and hairlines on coin.

It's good enuff fer me.

space saving link

66Tbird · November 20, 2006 2:50AM

If price is the concern, for me it wasn't. Here are the differences.---my opinion between these---

* 6 Megapixels (S2 has 5)--- No big deal 20% but helps--
* Sensitivity up to ISO 800* (S2 up to ISO 400) --800 works but nothing to write home about--
* Dark, gunmetal gray camera body (S2 is light gray)-- personal pref---
* FlexiZone AF/AE - move the auto-focus point around the frame and select which part of the frame you wish to focus on without moving your camera or re-framing the shot- --very nice for composition of complex shots,, but has nothing to do with coins--
* 16:9 shooting size (image is simply cropped in-camera) ---Still nice---
* High-speed (60fps) movie mode at 320x240 pixels (not available on the S2)--- very nice improvement, smooth as silk--
* "Sports" shooting mode (S2 has none)--works well--
* 2" LCD display (up from 1.8")--- Helps, articulating screen in invaluable---
* Live histogram (S2 - view histogram after image is taken)-----most used feature and I use it all the time. Manual shots can be dialed in in seconds--

Now my opinion on macro for coins. When I first got the camera the close ups with auto-focus were not usable. Then I went to manual and set that range and auto now works fine. Super macro is just to much.

Movie mode.---- I've sold my other camcorder, nuff said. ----

Good luck on your final choice and welcome aboard. Look forward to seeing some shots.

66Tbird · November 20, 2006 2:58AM

Just for the fun of it, to show what a stock super zoom PNS camera can do.

I was 40 ft away and pulled this shot on full 48x zoom, then cropped to 640x480

SMK · November 20, 2006 3:37AM

66TBird,

Thank you for the illustration, definitely things to look into. Oh and that's a nice picture too. What type of camera are you using? Is it the S3?

66Tbird · November 20, 2006 3:41AM

<< Is it the S3? >>

Yes,

Just PM me if needed.

SMK · November 20, 2006 5:27AM

Thanks everyone. I think I'll go with the Canon S2 unless I find a good deal on the S3. $279 for the S2 is difficult but affordable for me.

topstuf · November 20, 2006 7:14AM

My criterion was to find the camera with the FEWEST buttons to push.

If I cudda got what my old Mavica had (a button to lighten or darken without using a MENU) I wudda took that.

SMK · November 20, 2006 8:14AM

<< My criterion was to find the camera with the FEWEST buttons to push.

If I cudda got what my old Mavica had (a button to lighten or darken without using a MENU) I wudda took that.

>>

I know, more buttons might make it complicated a little bit but this will be my camera for many years to come.

SMK · November 21, 2006 1:37AM

I need to get a charger and rechargeable batteries for the S2. What would you recommend?

SMK · December 7, 2006 2:14PM

Bad news, the S2 didn't work out. I got the memory card error and after doing a search I learnt its a common problem with the Canons so I've made arrangements to send it back. That puts me back in the market for a camera.

Maybe the H2 or H5!!

Deciding between Canon S2 and Sony H2

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