Canon S1 IS or Kodak 6490/7590?

[Darby]

I'm trying to decide which of the two cameras I want to buy. My Pentax 35mm died on us so now we're making the leap into digital photography. I have read numerous reviews for the two current models (S1 & 6490) and I'm generally impressed with both cameras.

I really want to be confident that I will have excellent quality photos. I'd primarily use the camera for the typical 4x6 photo album prints, but I want the flexibility of being able to print 8x10 or even 11x17 (it'd be great to have some original prints hanging in our den or games room that we took). Getting large prints would not be the norm, but if there was truly a great shot that we wanted to blow up, I'd like that flexibility. I realize the Canon probably won't produce quality shots beyond 8x10 due to the 3.2 MP, but if it is a superior camera to the Kodak, I might just stick with limiting myself to the odd 8x10. Being able to get prints larger than 8x10 would be rare, but the ability/flexibility to do so if I wanted to would be nice.

In terms of usage, we mostly take pictures of our kids (soccer, swimming, ringette), family and when on vacation. Our old camera did not do a very good job of capturing our daughter on the soccer pitch -- seemed to distant even with the zoom. I'm hoping that by using the powerful zoom on either of these cameras, I'll be able to get some great close ups - nothing like seeing that beautiful smile after a goal! With a camera that produces excellent quality photos, I think we'd be more inclinded to just shoot pictures for the fun of it.

The image stabilizer on the S1 is a real drawing card as are some of the manual/customizing features - and Canon's reputation to book. However, the Kodak apparently adjusts the brightness of the lcd in dim lighting ... some have indicated that the Canon did not perform as well in these situations as it may have been difficult to see much of an image ... So, if both cameras have a 10x zoom, but one has a lower MP count, does that mean that the camera that has more MP will yield a better photo? As well, reviews indicate that the lenses for both cameras are pretty darn good.

From what I've seen of photos taken by each camera (including the new Kodak 7590) I could live with either camera. All the reviews I read indicated that the jpeg compression for both cameras was pretty aggressive & that there was no RAW or TIFF modes. Is this a major concern?

Presently, I am leaning towards the new Kodak as it does have the 5MP & larger lcd. As well, it's priced anywhere from $50-100 less than the Canon S1. The movie mode seems far superior in the S1, but it is a camera I'm going to buy, so the movie mode is not something I'm too concerned about - it's a bonus feature.

Lastly, some of the stores that I have visited, with the exception of one, don't actually stock Kodak cameras but do sell them online. Does this mean that Kodak cameras just don't sell as well as other brands? The user reviews for the 6490, in particular, have only been praising the camera ...

If anyone could help me with my decision, especially anyone who has used the S1 and/or the 6490, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,
Darby

[Billiam]

Never owned either one, only played with them in stores, so take this as a semi-informed opinion...

The image stabilization in the Canon should do more to give you crisp images than the extra mp in the Kodak, especially at long zoom lengths. 3 mp with good focus should beat 4 mp with camera shake. The Kodak LCD is big and bright, but the Canon LCD swivels. You can choose which means more to you. Neither one feels particularly robust to me, but the Kodak seems a little flimsier. Canon's features and menus are laid out for the semi-serious photographer, Kodak's for the novice (e.g select the night scene mode on the Kodak, and text appears on the LCD telling you 'select this mode when shooting at night'). That plays in with Kodak's Easy Share funcitons (allows selscting pic's to e-mail straight from the camera).

Me? I thought about the Canon, but would up sniping a Panasonic FZ1 for a song on e-bay. It should arrive Tuesday, time will tell if I made a good decision.

[speaklightly]

I happen to own a number of long zoom digital camera, including both the Canon S-1 and the Kodak DX-6490. Thus, I have some hands on experience with both digital cameras. I have also done a good deal of sports photography using digital cameras.

The Canon S-1 with its stabilization is MORE THAN the equal of the Kodak DX-6490. A lot of folks are unaware of the many advantages of stabilization. It makes HUGE difference. Billiam was corect with his post. the key difference between these two digital cameras is the stabilization.

However, we should also look at other factors as well. The Kodak 6490 is an excellent digital camera that produces great digital photos. The 6490 is a simpler camera to use. The Canon is a bit more complex, but at the same time it also has more features. The LCD on the Kodak 6490 at 2.2 inches is much more useable than the Canon S-1's at 1.5 inches.

In my humble opinion, the bottom line is trying these digital cameras. See how they feel in hand, take some digital photos, and then determine which works best for you. All things considered, personally, I would choose the Canon S-1. As a professional digital camera lecturer, I take as many as 2,000 digital photos every month, so I have used both of these digital cameras a lot.

Sarah Joyce

[Darby]

Thanks to both of you for your insight.

I looked at both the S1 & 6490 cameras this evening - able to examine them side by side which was nice. Unfortunately the sales clerk was not especially helpful.

The Kodak 6490's lcd looked great but I found that the lense really took a couple of seconds to focus in on items - much longer than the S1. I had never held a digital camera before & was really surprised just how much movement there was in the lcd - even when I thought I was holding the camera perfectly still. The Canon S1 looked great with the stabiliziation engaged but the lcd was pretty tiny, though crisp. The Canon seemed to have a better feel to it - primarily due to the IS system.

However, I really want the flexibility of being able to print quality shots that are larger than 8x10, something the Canon S1 IS's 3.2MP apparently won't allow. That's the only thing keeping me from purchasing this camera. Has anyone tried to print - and have favourable results - larger than 8x10 using the S1?

Thanks,
Darby

[speaklightly]

Darby-

I print excellent high resolution 8" X 10" digital photos all the time from the Canon S-1. You just have to remember to do your cropping in the camera and not in the software.

Sarah Joyce

[Rhys]

Darby-

I print excellent high resolution 8" X 10" digital photos all the time from the Canon S-1. You just have to remember to do your cropping in the camera and not in the software.

Sarah Joyce

I think the Panasonic FZ10 needs to be checked over as that's 4 megapixels and will give bigger pictures. Having said that, I get excellent A4 photos from my 3mp cameras.