S3/S2 or H2/H5

[sid369]

I am so confused at this time reading about different stories about either the S3 or H5 that I have come to point that I feel like not buying a camera now and wait for something to come out which will have no debates about it.

the sony guys say that H5/H2 is better because of larger screen, Higher ISO, chargers included, 7 megapixels blah blah blah.

I know you guys have the canon either the S2 or the S3 and I have seen the results from bowerR64, AMdnut, danilq and many others. I am sorry if I missed any others guys names and if I misspelled anyones. I just need one reason from you guys, just one to convince me that it would be a good decision to buy the S3.

I also have another question if I decided to buy the S2 instead of the S3 will I be missing anything. I saving money towards my first canon and I don't know how long will it tak eto reach to get the S3 the S2 can be achieved faster. So now its up to you guys to tell me given the circumstances which should I buy. Also I have seen that the price of the S3 on Buydig has fallen from $398 to around $364 as of today from the day that I have started to track its prices. Is there a possiblity of the S3's prices to come down more.

Canon Gurus are requested to to view their opinions.

[cdnphotographer]

I'm no expert but I can tell you what I know:

higher screen, really who cares lol
higher ISO isn't always best b/c high ISO= more noise (speckling!)
more mega pixels doens't always mean better pictures, if the camera can't handle it ! I read an article discussing the high MP and all the pros/cons etc.. wish I rememebr where or what about it :(

I too was looking at the sony vs. canon, and one of th efinal deciding factor for me was.. sony makes great entertainment products where as Canon is cameras... (there are many other factors as well of course! ;) )


The other guys can help you with this so much better than I, but I did want to point out those things for you.

good luck!


eta
here's pne link re: megapixels (not the one I read but still explains it all)

[OneAkela]

. Also I have seen that the price of the S3 on Buydig has fallen from $398 to around $364 as of today from the day that I have started to track its prices. Is there a possiblity of the S3's prices to come down more.

Canon Gurus are requested to to view their opinions.

I am also considering an S3 and noticed the prices falling. I wondered if that is a genuine price drop or just a labor day sale.

[BowerR64]

Some times i wonder if sony doesnt keep the better sensors for their cameras and sell the junk. Then i seen the list of cameras affected byt these sensors and the list of sony cameras was never ending.

The H2/H5 does look like a cool camera though.

[truflip]

labor day sale.. if u find a good deal, like $300-$330, jump it

[danielg]

I've tried the Sony H5 and it is a sweet camera with outstanding image quality. I was all set to keep it over the S3is but I just didn't like how it felt in my hands and I find myself having difficulty taking those water drop shots I was taking with it. It might simply my unfamiliarity with the system but I decided I was more at home with the S3is.

I came from a S2is before the S3is, the first time I held a S2is in my hands, it felt good right away, plus the heavier weight just added to the stability of the camera. The Swivel screen is much much more useful to me than a large non-movable screen. Plus I have lots of items which uses SD cards so that decided it for me. No regrets :)

Both cameras (Canon and Sony) are great cameras and it will be best if you can go to a store and try both out for yourself. Hold it in your hands, snap off a few and compare the image and the feel. And decide from there. :)

[Kenen]

I was looking at the same two, plus pana FZ7, and have just gotten an S2. I really didn't consider the sony long because of the memory, (I already have a A510 and so have an SD card...) and the FZ7 doesn't use AA batteries. The reason I chose the S2 over the S3 was price really. I couldn't see that the difference between the two was that great, the price difference was greater. I figure I'll start out with the S2, put aside the money I have saved from buying it instead of the S3, and just get familier with the camera and get more experience in with picture taking, then when the S4 comes out, I'll seriously consider upgrading. (I figure there had to be a bit more difference between the S2 and the S4 than there is between the S2 and S3.) Saying that though, if you do find a great price like truflip said, take it. ;)

[XaiLo]

I am so confused at this time reading about different stories about either the S3 or H5 that I have come to point that I feel like not buying a camera now and wait for something to come out which will have no debates about it.





Let's just say your going to be waiting a very long .................................................. .................................................. ..... time.

Well let's forget about cameras for a minute, have you found a sony community as nice as this one?;)

[XaiLo]

The reason I chose the S2 over the S3 was price really. I couldn't see that the difference between the two was that great, the price difference was greater. I figure I'll start out with the S2, put aside the money I have saved from buying it instead of the S3, and just get familier with the camera and get more experience in with picture taking, then when the S4 comes out, I'll seriously consider upgrading. (I figure there had to be a bit more difference between the S2 and the S4 than there is between the S2 and S3.) Saying that though, if you do find a great price like truflip said, take it. ;)

I have to respectfully disagree while it may not be readily apparent the S3 offers significant advantages over the S2. Having used both let's just say I'm very happy with the S3. There's a small debate over this issue in the "Some S3 Pics" thread starting at post #15.

Courtesy of JTL




This whole thing about the S3 not being a worthy upgrade is such a lot of bunk! Sometimes I think people say things just to say them...reviewers included...

This list of updated features is long and comprehensive and important to anyone who cares to really take note:
Live Histogram
Increased Focus Accuracy
Larger LCD
Decreased Shutter Lag
Decreased Purple Fringing Levels
Rule of Thirds Grid
More Custom Controls
Increased Dynamic Range Control
Decreased Highlight Clipping
(Color) Black
Dedicated ISO Button
Post Editing
16:9 Aspect Ratio
6.3 MP - Produces smooth, highly detailed 11x14" and 13x19" prints without compromise
Faster Shutters Speeds
Sports Mode
Thank you XaiLo for compiling the most comprehansive list!

There's probably even more, but I've only had it a week! After owning both cameras, there is simply no question that the S3 is a more desirable camera and that the extra cost is well worth it.

[sid369]

Thanks all you guys. I guess, I will either end up with the S2 or the S3 I don't know yet. But the points that you guys pointed out makes sense.
I will see if I get a good deal on the S3 I will get that else with go for the S2.
and Xailo no I have not found a better community than this one. Forget sony, even nikon does not have a community like this one.

C- capturing
A- anything
N- nice is
O- obvious
N- now

[XaiLo]

Sometimes it's hard to beat the intangibles. :)

[Kenen]

I had seen the list given by JTL and I appricate it. I don't think I made myself clear enough in my last post. I didn't mean the S3 wasn't an upgrade, I understand that after using one camera, and a new version of the camera comes out with some new and better features comes out, that people will want to upgrade, and that's what the market wants...;) I bought an A510 in Nov, and I already wanted something more. I could not afford the S3 yet, and I did not want to wait. Plus, I felt that since I am still learning digital photography (I don't even know what a histogram is...) and I know I will probably want the S4 when it comes out, so I bought an S2, and I'll start saving now for the S4 or whatever I decide to move on to next.
This is just my reasoning sid369, you will have to decide which is right for you. Do you want to wait longer to get the S3, or do you want the camera as soon as possible?


Well let's forget about cameras for a minute, have you found a sony community as nice as this one?;)

This is one reason I chose the S2 over the FZ7... ;)

[XaiLo]

Please understand I meant no harm or malice in my reply. It is just that there are quite a few people who view these forums who never actually register and ask questions so they gain in knowledge only what they read. The post I replied to only represented an opinion and it is prudent for those not in the know to recieve the whole story. Though this subject has been covered a few times in this section they may not encounter those converstions.

[Kenen]

XaiLo - I realize you meant no harm or malice, and I hope you did not take my to mean I thought you did, and were only trying to explain things further for other readers. That is what was doing w/ my second reply. I am really horrible at expressing myself:( , and may have done a bit to much extra explanation...

[truflip]

we're all one happy family :D :D :D
remember to post some pics over at the S3 Pics thread.. S2, S1, always welcome =D

[vsjr]

I've owned several digital cameras and recently bought an S3. I actually had a Sony DSC-V1 before this one. I went back to canon for several reasons, but mainly because I had Canon Rebel SLR's before digital's became popular, and I always loved them more than any digital I have owned since.

Based on just a few weeks experience I can say I am thrilled with my purchase. I paid 340$ for the camera. I also bought the canon ac adapter, a Raynox 1.54x teleconverter and Lensmate 58mm lens adapter, a 2GB 150x SD card, 8 rechargeables, a charger, and some other misc. accessories. I already had a very nice tripod.

WIth all this, I spent about what I would have spent on a DSLR. Why did I do it? The simple answer is zoom and image stabilization. It's impossible to get the zoom that I got, or the IS, for anything near the same price in a DSLR. I do a lot of birding and wildlife photography and I can tell you I am absolutely loving this camera.

Besides what everyone else has mentioned here are a few more things I love, and a few things I hate about the camera.

Love:

The image stabilization helps a lot. Can't say it's better than other similar cameras but it definitely works well.

Manual focus option. It is difficult to use manual focus, even with the way the canon zooms on the focal point, but it's helped me in some very difficult low-contrast situations.

The custom button, and custom mode. I use my custom button to change light metering mode quickly.

The ISO button. I use this often. It's much faster than having to wade through menus.

All around the menus and buttons are quick and intuitive.

Flash must be manually popped up. I love this feature, but I rarely use flash.

The rotating LCD. I don't know how I ever did without this. I will never go back to a camera without this feature again! It's awesome when you have the camera on a tripod, and useful in so many situations.

Custom timer setting: another feature I actually use. I use a 1sec timer when the camera is on a tripod, so I get a quick shot with no shake.

Movie mode is top notch, but I rarely shoot movies.

Camera just flat out takes great pictures in every mode. I was worried about chromatic aberrations, especially purple fringing, but have not experienced it at all with this camera.

Nimh or alkaline AA's. I have two sets of Nimh batteries, and of course they are easy to find anywhere you go. I'll carry a set of extra AA's just for emergency situations. Definitely beats having to buy extra Lithium batteries!

Hate:

The cover on the usb and ac adapter port. I feel it's almost certain I will accidentally rip this off eventually.

Viewefinder could use a deeper eyecup as some reviews mentioned. Would keep face/nose from hitting LCD, and probably provide slightly brighter view.

LCD could be higher res, but that would use more battery. I have mixed feelings about this, but would probably still prefer higher res screen to higher battery life.

Off button - again, I have mixed feelings about this. It's very small and somewhat difficult to to depress to turn off the camera. Of course that's probably a good thing, in that it's nearly impossible to accidentally turn the camera off.

Finally, I considered the H5 too. Because I had bad luck with my Sony DSC-V1, I probably won't go back to Sony again. Purple fringing was terrible with my Sony camera. It wasn't a big factor before my purchase, but now that I've used it, I would say the rotating LCD would be a big factor for me too. I also have not liked the user interface on any Sony camera I have ever used, but that's more a matter of personal preference.

I read every review on both of these before buying, and was worried about a few of the negative things I saw in reviews for both the H5 and this camera. Overall though, I'm thrilled with this camera and feel like it was well worth the money I spent on it.

Here's a recent sample pic.

http://129.79.35.49/images/birds/hummingbird1.JPG

[truflip]

The cover on the usb and ac adapter port. I feel it's almost certain I will accidentally rip this off eventually.
I got a nice small USB card reader for this reason.. it doesnt have wires or anything its just a USB stick u can plug in directly to the port. works quite well if u ask me :) I think the SD card slot cover is a lot tougher to break than the flimsy rubber cover of the USB port on the camera dont u think?

btw, nice hummingbird shot =)

[XaiLo]

Welcome vsjr as with all new comers I welcome and encourage you to post some pics in the "Some S3 Pics" thread. :)

[XaiLo]

I got a nice small USB card reader for this reason.. it doesnt have wires or anything its just a USB stick u can plug in directly to the port. works quite well if u ask me :) I think the SD card slot cover is a lot tougher to break than the flimsy rubber cover of the USB port on the camera dont u think?

btw, nice hummingbird shot =)


USB stick u say give me details truflip.

[BowerR64]

I thought i would rip the cover over the USB off also but i thought that about the A70 and its still there and doesnt even have a split or a crack in it yet. Theydid a good job with the parts of the camera that normaly fail on the past electronics devices ive had. All those things were always the first to go, battery doors, rubber plugs stuff like that but none of them have failed yet and they arnt showing any signs or wearing yet.

[truflip]

USB stick u say give me details truflip.
something like this:
http://img.inkfrog.com/pix/soonitrade/DSCN0918(______.jpg

mines upstairs n im too lazee to take a picture of it but this is what i meant by USB Stick

[XaiLo]

I like it who makes it:confused:

[truflip]

you can go to Staples or some big box retailer and find this exact same one with a name printed on it for $15-20 more or you can pick them up at ebay for about $2 a piece + $5 shipping..

the one i got in particular is a no namer..

you can get this PNY @ staples for $25 (http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StaplesProductDisplay?prodCatType=1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&productId=153266&cmArea=SC3:CG43:DP1599:CL141727)
http://www.staples.com/sbd/img/cat/enl/s0134324_enl.jpg

[truflip]

PS: this is an "IOGEAR" brand selling for $20.. does it look familiar? similar to the black one I posted. cept it has a name lol

http://www.staples.ca/ENG/images/products/ca621170_1_enl.jpg