Canon PowerShot S2 IS - UK Digital Camera Review

Canon PowerShot S2 IS Review

The Canon PowerShot S2 IS has an exceptional lens due to the combination of its 12x optical zoom (providing a 35mm focal length), Optical Image Stabiliser (IS), Ultrasonic Motor (USM) and UD lens.

At full zoom and in less than perfect light conditions, the IS neutralises a shaky hand thus giving clear photos and movies whilst the USM improves zoom function. A super macro mode achieves accurate focusing even if you are very close to your subject while the UD element gives precise images and colour accuracy.

Canon PowerShot S2 IS Front
Canon PowerShot S2 IS Back

When the LCD is turned off, the DIGIC II processor operates at 2.4 fps continually with quick start up and auto focus, the S2 IS provides accurate colour representation and white balance accuracy.

The PowerShot S2 IS, with its wide to super telephoto 12x optical zoom lens, provides you with the ability to take any picture/movie you could want and provides above average digital camera and video performances.

18 shooting modes are incorporated into the Canon PowerShot S2 IS and these include 6 Special Scene modes; Foliage, Snow, Fireworks, Beach, Indoor, Night Snapshot. These combine to make this digital camera one of the best in bringing out your creative skills whether for stills or movies.

It is also possible to take manual control of the S2 IS in areas such as focus, audio, shutter speed and aperture.

Quality movies with full stereo can be shot using the powerful lens and this camera has the capacity to take up to 60 minutes of VGA quality video. Shooting in 15 or 30 fps allows you to capture that unique moment and the Photo In Movie permits full resolution digital stills to be taken whilst a movie is being shot.

The S2 IS has a 1.8" vari-angle LCD, which although not the largest available, does give shooting and playback satisfaction, with Night Display improving visibility in low light.

The optional extras offered by the Canon S2 IS include wide and tele converter lenses which can extend the zoom range to an exceptional 27mm - 648mm. A close-up lens and High-Power Flash are also available.

Editing software is included in this camera's package and images can be printed direct using any PictBridge or Canon Direct Print compatible photo printer. This offers you the opportunity to also be creative with your results.

If CANON iMAGE GATEWAY is available in your area, this provides access to 100MB of internet storage so that you can share your images and movies with family and friends.

Canon PowerShot S2 IS Specifications & Features

  • 5 Megapixels
  • 12 x Optical Zoom
  • 4 x Digital Zoom
  • 48 x Combined Zoom
  • 0cm Focusing Distance
  • Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash and Custom White Balance Settings
  • Vari-angle 1.8" Low temperature P-Si TFT, approx. 115,000 pixels
  • Auto, Manual, On and Off Flash Modes
  • Red Eye Reduction
  • Maximum Image Size 2592 x 1944 Pixels
  • 640 x 480 30fps Movies up to 1GB
  • PictBridge Compatible
  • Secure Digital (SD) Card - 16MB SD Card supplied
  • 4x AA-size Alkaline or NiMH Batteries
  • Approximate Weight 405g

Canon PowerShot S2 IS User Reviews

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Reviewer: diane - UK
i purchased the cannon for a safari trip to tanzania. the quality of the pictures were fantastic. Many people thought that i was a photographer. what can i say - defiantly impressive pics.

Features
Rating 9/10
Image Quality
Rating 10/10
Usability
Rating 9/10
Reviewer: Andrew P - UK
I have tried every function on this camera in the month that I've owned it, and compared tho the other cameras i've owned in my 40 years of photography it is by far the best. I take lots of bird and animal shots and the 12x optical zoom is excellent for this with the stabilizer on. I owned the S1 and this model is a huge improvement. I think this is the ultimate versatile compact camera on the market.

Features
Rating 8/10
Image Quality
Rating 9/10
Usability
Rating 8/10
Reviewer: Mike Thomson - UK
The Canon Powershot S2 IS is a great camera that will take excellent quality photos in auto mode but can also be configured manually. For someone with previous experience of digital cameras it takes very little time to use it proficiently. The lens and zoom is top notch. I bought this camera to take photos of my children playing and the 12x zoom is fantastic with image stabilisation.

I waited a long time for a decent camera to arrive before buying, and the powershot S2 IS was definately worth the wait. Every review I have read is positive. There is nothing this camera can't do well.

Features
Rating 10/10
Image Quality
Rating 8/10
Usability
Rating 10/10
Reviewer: Gary - UK
I am not a professional by any means but I have managed to take some really good photos with this camera, I have had a few problems Focusing in bad light but I've heard this is a common problem with digital cameras. There are lots of options that you can change but most of the time I leave it as standard. I have dropped it already and it works fine.

Features
Rating 8/10
Image Quality
Rating 8/10
Usability
Rating 7/10
Reviewer: Donna - UK
The powershot S2 IS is a very competent camera, the zoom allows you to get really close in on the subject matter, I was however a little dissapointed in the battery life, but the photo quality makes up for this, I took a photo of a flower in my garden and the detail is out of this world.

Features
Rating 7/10
Image Quality
Rating 10/10
Usability
Rating 7/10
Reviewer: Jeremy White - UK
I got this when my old camera started having problems, the menus just stopped working, the first thing I noticed when I started using it was the speed of it, I can take my second shot straight after my first one, a huge difference from my old camera, I don't agree with people saying the battery life is poor, I've had no problems so far and have taken quite a few photos before the batteries need charging. The powershot S2 IS is a great camera, buy it now!

Features
Rating 8/10
Image Quality
Rating 10/10
Usability
Rating 10/10
Add a ReviewAdd a review for the Canon PowerShot S2 IS
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Canon PowerShot S2 IS Review & Features - © UK Digital Camera Reviews 2008
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