Age old question: H1 or S2?

[CrispinsCrispian]

Hello,

I've looked through dozens of samples of pictures from both the Canon S2 and the Sony H1 and found them very similar, depending upon the skill of the photographer. I like that the H1 seems to have less noise, though I think the Canon generally has better color outdoors. I definitely like the build of the H1 much more than the S2. But the S2 does have a better movie mode. I'm leaning toward the H1 and am hoping for any insights or revelations concerning either camera.

I've been coming up with all kinds of rationalizations for buying one or the other: I can clean up the S2's noise in Neat Image; I can clean up the H1's chromatic aberration in Photoshop....

Does either camera really take cleaner, sharper images than the other, or do I just have to decide what I want to trade off? How do the picture qualities of these two cameras compare to that of compact cameras? Will the S3, H2/H5 cameras have significantly better image quality (discounting megapixel count, of course)? Help me...

[capedeci]

either wont go wrong, they are based on personal preference. Both are good, don't get too worried about choosing between these two.

[avi777]

I was stuck between the two too. Ended up buying the H1. And I think it was a good decision. I don't know how you could say that the movie mode is better in the S2 - other than the ability to take still shots while shooting a movie and the ability to use the zoom in movie mode. I have taken some great videos with the H1. And as far as color is concerned you could check out some of the pics I have taken with my H1. You could go to the wildlife thread, or churches thread in the photogallery.
Well, you have a lt of options on both the cams, but like you said the build is better on the H1. Feels good to hold and use. I would recommend the H1, but there are probably lotsa people who would think the S2 is better.
Finally it's up to you.