Which Camera? Canon S2 or wait for the S3?

[denise]

I looking to purchase a new camera and want to be able to take action/sports shots of my kids, vacations, birthday parties, etc...
I have an older Canon Elph and it's been great, but it's time to upgrade megapixals and get a decent zoom (for the sports shots mostly). I love the compact size, but the zoom is more important so I'm looking at the point & shoots instead of compacts.
The Canon PS S2 is looks nice, but I'm considering waiting for the S3 is to come out. Also, I've checked out the Sony DSC H2 & H5 (both are new I think - not sure if they are out yet).
Any opinions or suggestions?
Thanks so much!
Denise

[Jason25]

Personally I would wait and check out the H2/H5 (they are new :) ) and S3 in person before taking the plunge on an outgoing model. I think the new models will be worth waiting a little bit for, compared to the current ones. The higher ISO settings will be helpful for you to get faster shutter speeds for shooting sports. Hopefully they won't be grainy at high ISO settings, like current models. Just my 2 cents :)

The H2 is slated for this month, and the H5 and S3 are slated for next month after taking a quick look.

[denise]

Personally I would wait and check out the H2/H5 (they are new :) ) and S3 in person before taking the plunge on an outgoing model. I think the new models will be worth waiting a little bit for, compared to the current ones. The higher ISO settings will be helpful for you to get faster shutter speeds for shooting sports. Hopefully they won't be grainy at high ISO settings, like current models. Just my 2 cents :)

The H2 is slated for this month, and the H5 and S3 are slated for next month after taking a quick look.

Thanks Jason - I appreciate the suggestions & feedback. Camera shopping is tough!
Another thought - - I know Canon just released a smaller camera - the Power Shot A700 - it has 6.2 megs & 6x optical zoom. I love that it's smaller than the S2/S3 or H2/H5 models, but don't know if I would be happy with only 6x optical zoom. Are you familiar with this camera - - do think I could get decent sports/action shots with this?
Thanks!
Denise

[Jason25]

The Canon A series is very well regarded. The A700 has a 35-210mm lens (the superzooms go over 400mm), which will be enough for some sports, but possibly not others. A good example being if you're trying to get a shot of an outfielder in baseball for instance.

[avi777]

The H2 is out already. Not sure about the price. Should be around $400, give or take a few. The H1 should be much less. I would suggest the H1 to start with. Noise is much less than the S2, uses less batteries, better flash, better build quality. But then, I think you should get more advice.

[swgod98]

Noise is much less than the S2, uses less batteries, better flash, better build quality.

Information on this site states the S2's battery life is estimated at 550 shots, whereas the H1 is less than 300.

The H1 does have a stronger flash and has less noise in higher ISO images, but the reduction in noise is partly due to the processing done (which also causes a loss in image detail).

[TampaJim]

My personal opinion - buy the S2 while they are still available at rock-bottom pricing. I too owned an old Digital Elph, the S100 and upgraded last year. The S2 will keep you satisfied and thrilled for a very long time, IMO.

People can talk all day about the "better, faster, flashier" models - but the S2 is a killer camera and the pricing right now is to die for.

[coldrain]

If you can wait and don't mind paying a bit more, I'd go for the S3 IS. The new 6mp sony chip seems to do better in noise, which may be worthwhile. But it will be quite a wait, introduction in May...

The S2/S3 IS has some advantages over the Sony series. Better software (on windows, but especially for the mac), very good panoramic series mode, better battery time, swivel display, better put together.

[avi777]

Information on this site states the S2's battery life is estimated at 550 shots, whereas the H1 is less than 300.

The H1 does have a stronger flash and has less noise in higher ISO images, but the reduction in noise is partly due to the processing done (which also causes a loss in image detail).

That's probably coz the S2 uses 4 batteries. Battery charger is not supplied. Has to be purchased separately. I haven't noticed any loss of detail at lower ISO's. I wouldn't really use the higher ISO.
What I would say is that they are bot very capable camera's. Just that Sony gives more for less $.