Problems with the Canon S2IS

[Aussie]

I collected these comments from posts in this forum regarding problems with the Canon S2IS that sound serious and would be worth clarifying for potential buyers.

Blurry Pictures.
Difficulty with focusing on fast moving babies!!.
Cannot focus on humming birds
Auto focus is really that bad that you have to manually focus to get a good picture.
Purple fringing and focus issues
The auto mode is very poor.
Lens cap issue, keeps falling off.
Unhappy owners are returning their S2IS to the retailer, could it be that bad.

I searched for faults with the Panasonic FZ5 and only came up with the following,

It is cumbersome to have to keep pressing the 'exposure' button after each picture to go back to changing aperture/shutter speeds.
Does anyone have any tips for shooting macro with the FZ5?

Some of these problems with the S2IS sound important issues, but I guess it depends how bad they really are. Would some S2IS owners make a comment from personal experience.

Thanks in advance for any comments.

[JTL]

Would some S2IS owners make a comment from personal experience.No........ :rolleyes:

[cvicisso]

Difficulty with focusing on fast moving babies!!.
Auto focus is really that bad that you have to manually focus to get a good picture.These comments were copy-and-pasted from my posts, so I feel obligated to respond. First - I am REALLY happy with my S2 IS. The problems I'm having can be attributed to my steep learning curve. I'm stepping up to the S2 after using an A70 in 'auto' mode for a few years. I've got a lot to learn - hence, the issues. The way your post reads, it sounds like I'm some expert going off on how bad the S2 is! This could not be further from the truth!! Again, I am completely satisfied with my S2 IS. It's the best superzoom/hybrid out there - nothing except the S1 or Sony H1 even comes close in terms of features (and you can't zoom in movie mode with the Sony!).

Lens cap issue, keeps falling off.I just ordered a Lensmate adapter, Hoya polarizer, and a $5 snap-on lenscap. Anyone who overlooks the S2 because they're scared that the lenscap is going to fall off has not done enough homework.

[tim11]

Still in deciding whether FZ5 or S2 IS???? I am glad I got the FZ20 when it was the only game in town or I would have been in the same dilemna.
Some of those 'problems' are individual's problem and may not be considered problems by other owners. Like blurry autofocus for instance - common complaints to many ultra zoom cams (S2, FZ20, DX7590); some people don't realise there is a minimum distance for certain zooming level, ie. trying to use 12x optical on a subject a few metres away....
and "It is cumbersome to have to keep pressing the 'exposure' button after each picture to go back to changing aperture/shutter speeds." - that's for FZ Manual mode. I have no problem with that. If I really feel lazy, I turn to P (auto) mode and let the camera does all the thinking.
Anyway, the FZs cap doesn't fall off and there is no need to spend on extra adaptor. :rolleyes:

[bluevolume]

...Blurry Pictures.
Difficulty with focusing on fast moving babies!!.
Cannot focus on humming birds
Auto focus is really that bad that you have to manually focus to get a good picture.
Purple fringing and focus issues
The auto mode is very poor.
Lens cap issue, keeps falling off.
Unhappy owners are returning their S2IS to the retailer, could it be that bad.
...

As a proud S2 owner, let me elaborate on these interresting and important points.

Blurry Pictures: Yes, this camera does take very blurry pictures. It has nothing to do with the user not knowing what they are doing. I'm surprised Canon didn't list this as a feature since ALL the pictures are blurry.

Difficulty while focusing on fast moving babies: Once again, a huge problem with the S2. Why is there no "Fast Babies" mode? This camera should really only be bought by people with 'slow' babies.

Cannot focus on hummingbirds: This is also very true, but not really the camera's fault. Canon lost a lawsuit earlier this year with the National Hummingbird Society, and no longer has the legal right to focus on hummingbirds. Its a real bummer.

Auto focus is really that bad that you have to manually focus to get a good picture: How true, but there is an easy solution. Go down to your local drug store and buy an assorment of reading glasses (go from 1x to like 20x). After you focus with your S2, try placing different glasses in front of the lens until you get a perfect focus! Why isn't this stuff in the manual?

Purple fringing and focus issues: I am a huge fan of purple fringing (sounds like something Jimi Hendrix came up with). See above for the focus issues.

The auto mode is very poor: Yes, and how confusing. I know I shouldn't use 'Auto', but every time I switch to 'P' I think that stands for 'Poor', so then I go back to 'Auto' again. I love that the S2 has a 'Tv' setting, but I haven't been able to tune anything in yet. Maybe I should talk to my cable company?

Lens cap issue, keeps falling off: I can definately relate to this, I have had this exact problem since the day I got my S2. Every time I turn the camera on, there goes the lens cap! I'm going to have to get some kind of string on that thing, I'm so tired of chasing lens caps down the street.

Unhappy owners are returning their S2IS to the retailer, could it be that bad: It all depends on what you want from your camera. If you want a camera that takes fantastic pictures, has extensive manual controls, has an exceptional movie mode and a great price, then you should get the S2. If you want to troll around on an otherwise useful camera forum and get everyone all fired up posting ridiculous out-of-context 'problems', then you probably aren't planning on buying a camera anyway.

[ZCarroll]

I just was at the store and stuck my sd card in a canon s2IS, a pan fz5, and a pan fz20 and snapped a bunch of pictures. I had no idea what I was doing but after leaving the store I thought I was sold on the pana fz20. When I got home and looked at the pictures on my computer pretty much all the canon shots were absolutely gorgeous, breathtaking, amazing while all my panasonic shots just could not compare.

[val123]

I love my S2. I am a relative novice but am still getting some great shots, I do not regret opting for this camera at all , and even after over 3000 shots would not change my decision!

Not sure why S2 is getting slated here - have a look around these forums at the great pictures people are getting. :confused:

[JTL]

Not sure why S2 is getting slated here - have a look around these forums at the great pictures people are getting. :confused:Because some people, instead of looking for honest opinions, are merely interested in "stirring the pot".

The S2 speaks for itself...the OP is is merely engaging in a form of something that ryhmes with mastication...

Does anyone honestly believe that with all the reviews and posts and pictures posted that the OP couldn't find the info they (supposedly) needed without this "post"? Give me a break! :rolleyes:

Frankly, I don't feel the need to "justify" my purchase. The OP can buy an S2 or not...who really cares?

[nuvolino]

I am a VERY HAPPY owner of the S2IS and I love it's features
I also work for a retail store chain here in Australia and we have trouble Keeping them in stock they are such a huge seller that they just go like the wind and by the way we have NEVER had ANYONE bring one back or complain about them
also just to make a point we have a Huge range of cameras in out store we have a instore island for them and out of all these cameras just about all the staff that work there have bought, going to buy or is longing to buy this camera!!!

this camera ROCKS!! like you can't imagine there is ABSOLUTELY no way you can go wrong getting this camera it is a GEM!!!! :D

I hope you get the Idea :rolleyes: :p

[ProblemSolver]

I have a S2 IS which has two problems mentioned above and a few others unlisted:

The auto mode is very poor: Yes, and how confusing. I know I shouldn't use 'Auto', but every time I switch to 'P' I think that stands for 'Poor', so then I go back to 'Auto' again. I love that the S2 has a 'Tv' setting, but I haven't been able to tune anything in yet. Maybe I should talk to my cable company?

Everytime I switch to "Poor" mode, I lose money. But for me, auto produces sharp images. I'm sure I could watch CNN on the S1 IS using "Tv" mode but with the remote control receiver gone on the S2, I'm devestated :( .

Lens cap issue, keeps falling off: I can definately relate to this, I have had this exact problem since the day I got my S2. Every time I turn the camera on, there goes the lens cap! I'm going to have to get some kind of string on that thing, I'm so tired of chasing lens caps down the street.

I absolutely agree. My advice is never turn on an S2 IS in a crowded restaurant. The last time I did that, the S2's lens cap flew into someone's soup on the next table

I can't understand why no water color comes out of the lens when I switch the S2 into the mode with the pastel/water color icon (Between SCN and stitch assist) :mad: .

My S2 produces the craziest, blurriest photos :mad: :( :mad: on earth in "C" mode which I can understand is the "Crap" mode.

I also notice that my S2 performs 2x to 3x faster in "M" mode which I suppose is "Mad" mode.

I still like and admire my S2 IS for its oddness ;) .

[ZCarroll]

I admit I don't understand this thread at all.

But I'm buying the s2IS right now...

[JTL]

I admit I don't understand this thread at all.

But I'm buying the s2IS right now...What's not to understand? The S2 is so horrible...that's why we all bought it and love it and why it takes great pictures! It makes perfect sense! :D

[ProblemSolver]

What's not to understand? The S2 is so horrible...that's why we all bought it and love it and why it takes great pictures! It makes perfect sense! :D

Agreed! The S2 IS is lovable for its horribleness!

By the way, if you're unhappy with the S2 IS, wait till you see this leaked camera:

Canon Powershot S3 IS
Leaked specs:
-8 effective MP
-New 5/6" hybrid CMOS+CCD
-18X 24-432mm f2.4 optical zoom lens USM
-Double optical image stabilizer (CCD and lens move opposite directions)
-DIGIC III image processor going to be seen on the new 22MP flagship Canon EOS 1D3 rumoured to be coming soon...

"The new DIGIC III processor will feature a top write speed of 30MB/s, read speed of 15MB/s and buffer of 256MB, enabling continuous shooting of 5 frames per second up to 150 frames* on the Canon EOS 1D3"
*JPEG, 22MP, superfine, auto mode

-JPEG, RAW and JPEG+RAW shooting
-Unlimited JPEG/RAW/JPEG+RAW continuous at 3 frames/second
-Super AF assist; AF assist can reach up to 12m
-Rotating 2.5" LCD display with super high-res EVF (LCD:230,000 px; EVF:420,000 px)
-Extreme Gainup technology boosts LCD brightness by 3x
-Extreme Gainup technology expands ISO sensitivity to ISO50-ISO3200 (Normal mode: ISO50-ISO400)
-2 hotshoes; top for flash, side for microphone
-External microphone port
-2 mode dials; extra scene mode only dial
-3 SD and 1 CF slots
-Manual controls
-Manual RGB color adjustment
-Record up to 12 hours of 1024x768 video at 30 frames/second with stereo sound; external microphone recommended
-Movie Snap II will take a still photo (at full resolution) while you're recording video; the video will NOT pause and will continue recording
-0 cm super macro mode
-My Colors
-My OWN Colors; manually change red, green, blue, yellow, black, white values and histogram adjustment
-Firewire and USB2.0 HS
-2000 shots per charge using eight AA 2500mAh batteries
-More shots with battery grip; compatible with NB1-series, NB2-series, NB3-series, BP-5xx series and AA batteries
-Conversion lenses, external flashes, external microphones, headphones, remote control, eyepieces and mini stereo speakers
-Rumoured shipping date and price: 2006 for $600

EDIT: The S3 IS is also rumoured to have these 30 scene modes:
1. Fast shutter
2. Slow shutter
3. Night
4. Potrait
5. Night portrait
6. Landscape
7. Macro
8. Super macro
9. Depth of field (Closeup+landscape)
10. Stitch assist
11. Snow
12. Beach
13. Foliage
14. Forest
15. Desert
16. Clouds
17. Beverage
18. Food
19. Fireworks
20. Underwater
21. Indoor
22. Kids and pets
23. Large groups
24. Overexpose
25. Underexpose

And these special scene modes
26. Fast moving babies (Solves this problem: "Difficulty with focusing on fast moving babies!!")
27. Slow moving babies (In case)
28. Humming bird move (Solves this problem: "Cannot focus on humming birds")
29. Manual-auto focus (Solves this problem: Auto focus is really that bad that you have to manually focus to get a good picture.)
30. Purple fringing - Adjusts settings to make as MUCH purple fringing as possible; you can set another fringe color too if you like! (Awww...They didn't forget about us PF fans!)

And lastly, you can make your own scene mode and a special "Anti-Noob" mode removes problems you may have!

Another new feature is the ability to set the lens motor speed when starting up so the lens cap just plops off down to your feet or flies across the road (That's so kind!)
Note: Experienced photographers recommend the fastest setting available to make your photo experience better!!

Disclaimer: This is only a rumour and is unconfirmed :cool:

ENJOY!! :D :D :D :D :D

[Within]

Just to add on, the S3 IS must be available in Singapore and cost just S$1000.

Internal zooming would be nice so that lenses could be attached to it.

The Digic III must also be able to remove purple fringing. Sharpness of the S2 is just right, so improvement to that is not important but removal of purple fringing is a must.

I think the S3 would be the greatest hit of the decade. :D

[JTL]

Canon Powershot S3 ISWhat?!! No Self-Portrait Mode and Night Self-Portrait Mode? What were they thinking? And no AG Mode (Anti-Gravity)???!!! I don't know about anyone else, but I'll have to pass on this one...it's the Fuji S10000 for me...instead of adding IS to the camera, they're adding a feature that stops the rest of the world from shaking to compensate! Now that's technology! And, at ISO 12800, you can take pictures in total darkness that are perfectly exposed...

And, don't forget about the Sony H2 which will have a 50" plasma display...all serious competition, indeed...

Wait, I just found out about the Panasonic FZ90, which will have a 50X f/11-f/30 zoom lens and come complete with a pickup truck to carry it around in. It will still only go to ISO 400 but with a 16MP 1/2.5 sensor...

And getting back to the Canon S3 and the "PF Mode". I don't think that this has been adequately explained. Simply set the camera to "PF Mode" and the entire image turns purple! You never have to worry about PF again! If it wasn't for the other stuff they left out, this feature alone would make me buy it...

I just spoke to my source...and it seems that Problemsolver left out a very important feature of the Canon S3 (this feature is also rumored to be on the Sony H2 as well)..."Super Super Macro Mode", which allows you to focus as close as -5cm....that's right, -5cm! You can actually focus on objects inside the lens itself!!! Although, the manual is still wrong!

[ProblemSolver]

What?!! No Self-Portrait Mode and Night Self-Portrait Mode? What were they thinking? And no AG Mode (Anti-Gravity)???!!! I don't know about anyone else, but I'll have to pass on this one...it's the Fuji S10000 for me...instead of adding IS to the camera, they're adding a feature that stops the rest of the world from shaking to compensate! Now that's technology! And, at ISO 12800, you can take pictures in total darkness that are perfectly exposed...

And, don't forget about the Sony H2 which will have a 50" plasma display...all serious competition, indeed...

Wait, I just found out about the Panasonic FZ90, which will have a 50X f/11-f/30 zoom lens and come complete with a pickup truck to carry it around in. It will still only go to ISO 400 but with a 16MP 1/2.5 sensor...

And getting back to the Canon S3 and the "PF Mode". I don't think that this has been adequately explained. Simply set the camera to "PF Mode" and the entire image turns purple! You never have to worry about PF again! If it wasn't for the other stuff they left out, this feature alone would make me buy it...

I just spoke to my source...and it seems that Problemsolver left out a very important feature of the Canon S3 (this feature is also rumored to be on the Sony H2 as well)..."Super Super Macro Mode", which allows you to focus as close as -5cm....that's right, -5cm! You can actually focus on objects inside the lens itself!!! Although, the manual is still wrong!

Oh my. It seems that the S3 IS also has a few other features I left out.

TIFF - NOT the image type - Time Instant Freeze Function allows you to freeze time for a maximum 1 minute to capture perfect shots (Or push the crowd to the side)

The WATER GUN feature in the underwater scene mode moves the glass cover, lenses and sensor to the side to squirt out water at your photo subjects! (Note: Although no underwater case is required - just dip the camera into the water, a WG-15 pipe accessory attached into USB port is recommended to pump in water to squirt!)

[tim11]

Wow. It seems like Canon S2 has so many die-hard fans.

[JTL]

Wow. It seems like Canon S2 has so many die-hard fans.I wouldn't say "die-hard"...handsome, hip, smart maybe...definitely in-the-know with a certain puckish enthusiasm...

Now, if you are referring to the "Die-Hard" feature, where the camera dies for no reason whatsoever, I think that the technology behind this important undocumented feature is actually shared by all of the manufacturers...

[JTL]

Oh my. It seems that the S3 IS also has a few other features I left out.

TIFF - NOT the image type - Time Instant Freeze Function allows you to freeze time for a maximum 1 minute to capture perfect shots (Or push the crowd to the side)Are you sure about this one? I thought it was only a rumor. I might have to reconsider my decision...

Personally, I'm waiting for the AG Mode so that the camera will float when I let go...maybe we'll hear something at PMA next Spring...they're certainly not going to announce that feature in the next few weeks...

[Pyroteknik]

I have had the S2 for three weeks, and have been trying various settings and adjustments to get crisp, clear image quality. I have found the auto focus not to work to my satisfaction. Manual focus I find hard to use because it is sometimes hard to see the focus results on the viewfinder. I Night photography is most often blurry as the focus cannot find subjects, and recently I have lost a bunch of pictures thta were taken with my 1 GB ScanDisk card (they seemed to record fine, but when I tried to transfer them, they were completely gone, although older pictures were still there). This is not the first, but the second time this has happened.

I have read many comments on these forums regarding the blurry or soft focus issue, and many owners have acknowledged that this does exist, but that is it something they live with. For the price of this camera, it is not something I am willing to live with. This was an upgrade from a simple point and shoot Pentax Optio 550 that had exceptional, razor sharp detail and clarity. I was certainly expecting the same quality if not better.

I will return my camera, perhaps for a new one in case the one I now own is defective in some way. If the second does not meet up to my expectations, I will try a different brand. Any suggestions?

[Risky Business]

In my humble opinion, the Canon S2 IS is NOT the camera of choice for individuals that do not want to THINK about photography. That is not meant to be insulting, it's just the simple truth! If you are simply looking to point and shoot, the S2 is likely NOT the camera for you. There are plenty of better options out there for such individuals.

To get the most out of this camera, you have to have (or be willing to gain) a stronger understanding of exposure and be willing to learn the required settings for various types of shooting. For example, I find it highly amusing when people complain about this camera not having a 'sports/action' mode. Then they go on to complain about how poor the S2 is when they're getting blurry pics in Auto or P mode of their kid riding a bike... In this typical example, you can get PHENOMENAL results with the S2 if you have taken the time to learn how to take such a shot, i.e. change IS mode to 'panning' (do NOT underestimate the performance of this feature!), use Tv mode to increase the shutter speed to 'freeze' the action, pre-focus and focus lock, etc. If the lighting is not great, you'll have to open up the aperture (although you get sharper pictures in the mid F stops. And of course, if the lighting is less than ideal, you may have to increase the ISO to maintain the min. required shutter speed. That is just one example of many where to get the best possible picture, you need to know what to do!

Translation: If you're not willing to learn how to take better pictures, this will be reflected in the quality of your photos.

My two cents.

[wawiel]

Blurry Pictures.


Please give me some explanation.

Coming from the colour slides era, I am use to crispy sharp picture that I do not get with the S2. Somebody make the comment that Canon use a dust protective screen somewhere in the camera that causes the pictures not that sharp.

Can anyone comment on this statement

Regards
Hugo Lombaard

[Shosta]

Translation: If you're not willing to learn how to take better pictures, this will be reflected in the quality of your photos.

My two cents.

I agree with this.
I have a film SLR and bought the Canon S2 because I have most of the flexibility of the SLR...(someday I'll get a dSRL).
The problem with the S2 is that is difficult to understand it's limits. The zoom and the IS makes you shoot under impossible conditions, at least this is what happened to me when I got mine.
But you must know what you are doing (out of the Auto mode). An easy example, the IS doesn't let you shoot to a fast moving subject, is a faster shutter speed what makes you get a good photo in this condition... but you must know that.
BTW, I shoot almost everything in AV mode with a look at the speed with this camera.
Cheers
José Miguel

[deyadav]

Hi,
I have S2 IS from last 2 years and i m preety much satisfied with my S2 but from last couple to times whenever i m taking a picture 5 out of 10 images shakes. I tried all different settings but nothing is helping me out.
Do any1 know what could be wrong or what setting can fix this issue?

the interesting thing is, if i use flash it works perfactly fine...

thanks,
Dev

[TheWengler]

What are the shutter speeds?