Probably ridiculous.

[Peter Gardner]

So i've been very interested in photography for a few years now, and I finally am ready to upgrade from my old digi-cam.

But I'm torn between two very different cameras, and I need your help. I want to know if I'd be better off going with the Canon s2, or Rebel XT.

Now I know picking between the two is probably a rather odd comparison since they both are so different, but here's why I'm struggling.

Obviously first and formost, money is a factor. I DO have enough money for the Rebel, but only just barley. I'm still a student in Highschool, so it's not like my income is great. Plus, I live in Canada so all cameras here are about 400 or so more than they are in the US.

But (completely ignoring the video mode as it's not important to me) can I get just as good photos with the S2 as the Rebel, GENERALLY. I know thats a very vague statement, but I mean in general every day use, to actual artistic type shots, can the S2 be a useful camera.

I am speaking on all around shots. Between in doors, out doors, night, day, people, landscapes. Everything.

I know alot will say "Get the Rebel, its an SLR, no question." But I'm basically trying to find out if I could still be happy with the S2.

Any help is appreciated greatly.

Thanks!

[timmciglobal]

Why are you locked into the rebel?

Have you looked into other dSLR's that might be cheaper? *ist DS for example or 5D from Konica?

The XT is a great camera and has versitility the S2 lacks. The S2 will make "good" pictures but if you dont "want" a single all in one megazoom point & shoot then there is no reason to buy it over the XT (unless you want that or video)

You going to buy online? I know you can save money there.

Tim

[JTL]

Peter...

I'm happy with my S2 and have decided (for now) not to pursue a dSLR purchase because at ISO 50 and 100 (at which I do 90% of my shots) the quality difference is negligible. Check out some of my posts in the galleries (and check out other S2 owner's shots as well). I think you'll be quite surprised...:)

[Rex914]

You might want to just go for the S2 for now to build up your skills further. By the time your S2 is up for replacement, you'll have more funds and more reason to jump to a DSLR. The Canon and Nikon systems are good, but you'll need a good amount of money to make a solid initial investment. There are alternates that are cheaper, and while they present attractive first investments, their lens systems aren't as expansive or comprehensive as those from the top 2. That's the big difference you are buying into.

[coldrain]

Why are you locked into the rebel?

Have you looked into other dSLR's that might be cheaper? *ist DS for example or 5D from Konica?

The XT is a great camera and has versitility the S2 lacks. The S2 will make "good" pictures but if you dont "want" a single all in one megazoom point & shoot then there is no reason to buy it over the XT (unless you want that or video).

You going to buy online? I know you can save money there.

Tim
Well, lets see. To choose a DSLR on which one is 50$ cheaper or not is not a good way to choose one. The 5D for instance has lesser image quality than the XT. The Pentax *istDS and 5D have a smaller choice of lenses by far.
A few dollars more (or less) is not a reason to decide on which DSLR. The XT and Nikon 50D will have the best image quality and the biggest selection of lenses for instance. Of course there is the viewfinder pro of the *istDS, and the IS of the 5D. But price is just not a pro unless the difference is huge (which it isn't).

Now, the S2 IS of course has lots of reasons to buy it over the XT:

- AA size batteries.
- A preview on the LCD.
- An LCD that swivels, making many more shots possible that you can not make with a DSLR.
- Movie mode.
- Amazingly wonderful panorama assistance mode.
- Weight.
- Size.
- Price.
- Big zoom range with IS.

So, of course the possible image quality of a DSLR like the XT is there. But the S2 IS offers a lot of possibilities you will not have with a DSLR. So, if you are on a limitted budget, the S2 IS will give you a lot of options and possibilities, and will give you a great little camera to learn a lot on.

[Peter Gardner]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate it. The S2 it is. And then a SLR down the line once I get a bit more used to everything and moneys not an issue.

:)

[Rhys]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate it. The S2 it is. And then a SLR down the line once I get a bit more used to everything and moneys not an issue.

:)

Sounds an excellent choice. It's a pretty darned good camera. I have the S1 IS and love it. Mind, I also have an XT. If I want to carry the minimum then it's my S1. If I want the best quality then it's my XT.

[BonjiB]

I was in the same boat as you once trying to decide between an FZ30 and the rebel. The zoom and IS was very important to me and after doing some research to get a lens or a set of lenses that had the range and IS that the megazooms like the cannon s2 and the fz30 have would have cost me FAR more than i was prepared to spend. Yeah the rebel will make far more silky and beautiful pictures (especially noticeable in low light) but I think you'll be most happy with the s2 just because of it's all around versatility and, for lack of a better expression, "beginner friendliness." I know you've already made your descision but i was just affirming it as a good one.