Down to TWO - Should I go for more MP or Image Stab?

[nickels]

Thanks in advance
After all my own personal research and what I feel I am most looking for I have narrowed it down to the Canon S2 IS and the A620. Size difference doesn't matter. I feel I would like the ultra zoom and the image stabilization better but there is a difference of 2.1 MP here. Anyone have any thoughts to this? I am just an average user - mostly taking pics of my children and english bulldog (he doesn't move too much!) Probably a lot of indoor shots. Maybe I am wrong altogether - here's the answers to my ? - thanks again!

Budget

Max $550

Size

Doesn't matter (for cameras at least - sorry I could not resist)

Features

How many megapixels will suffice for you? I HAVE NO CLUE HERE! I'm moving up from 2.3!

* What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify) I THINK I WOULD LIKE THE MOST I CAN GET?

* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10)
8

Do you care for manual controls?
DON'T WANT THEM

General Usage

* What will you generally use the camera for? A little bit of everything

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not? Never bigger than 5x7

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos? yes

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos? yes

Miscellaneous

Are there particular brands you like or hate? no

Are there particular models you already have in mind? canon s2 IS

(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD) I think I would like the IS - do I really need it?


Thanks again!

[timmciglobal]

5mp produces a perfect 5x7 for most photo labs.

I'd say go with the S2.

Tim

[nickels]

Thanks for your thoughts!

[HAPPeBOY]

Id say the S2 if you will use the zoom, and if not the 620 is nice and cheaper.

as far as im conserned more MP doesnt nessisarly = better pics at smaller print size

[nickels]

After more research I'm even batting around the A95 - this is worse than car shopping!

[snapim]

:) Ah, just wait- it gets even uglier when you decide that size does matter.....the S2 is a great lil point and shoot- that would be my pic of the two.

[JTL]

After more research I'm even batting around the A95 - this is worse than car shopping!Don't regress...while no one can deny that the A95 was a great camera, the A610/A610 has surpassed it in every way...as a mater of fact, the A610 is essentially an A95 with a Digic II processor. So, logic dictates that you, if anything, should look at that A610 vs. the A95...why would consider a camera with older, slower technology when the newer, better replacement is the same price? :confused:

But, my advice follows the others...given your budget, the S2 is the ticket.

[nickels]

one every year - thanks for all of the great help!