DC Views wrote an excellent side-by-side comparison in ‘Review: Sony Cybershot DSC H1 compared to Canon Powershot S2 IS’: The Sony Cybershot DSC H1 and the Canon Powershot S2 IS are almost equal. Apart from the same specifications, both cameras almost perform at the same level. Nevertheless the Powershot is the winner in this test because of it’s somewhat higher responsiveness and much higher frame rate in continuous mode.

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The successor to the image-stabilized S1 IS has more than just a slightly expanded waistline. The Canon PowerShot S2 IS boasts an upgrade to a 5-megapixel sensor (from 3.2), a 12X zoom lens (up from 10X), and a 1.8-inch LCD (vs. 1.5 inches). A Digic II processor and a high-speed USB connection speed things up. Add a full complement of manual controls, as well as high-quality video with stereo sound, and the S2 IS is sure to find its way into the hands of photo enthusiasts who want to shoot long and print big.

As expected, our test shots were generally very good, with appropriately saturated colors, accurate exposures, and sharp focus–the last, thanks to the Canon PowerShot S2 IS’s excellent image stabilizer.

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The Canon S2 IS accommodates a wide range of users with its variable level of exposure control. Experienced shooters will appreciate the Manual, Aperture Priority, and Shutter Priority modes, while novices will find the Auto, Program AE, and Scene modes useful. With a full range of creative effects, the added attraction of 12x zoom Canon optics, and optical image stabilization - a feature found on only a handful of digital cameras, most of them more expensive, the Canon S2 IS will feature prominently on the shopping lists of photographers looking for a long-zoom camera. A big part of the story of the Canon S2 IS though, has to do with its movie capability: Not only can it record at 640×480 pixels and 30 frames/second, but you can use the zoom lens while recording movies (a surprising rarity), and it records stereo sound. All in all, the Canon S2 IS is quite a package, with an amazing range of capabilities and good picture quality, all at an affordable price.

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Canon’s PowerShot S2 IS is a significant upgrade from the S1 IS we reviewed in 2004. Its 12x 36-432mm zoom lens, up from the S1’s 10x 38-380mm glass, and its 5-megapixel resolution, up from the S1’s 3-megapixels, are the most notable improvements, but Canon made additional refinements that should not be overlooked; they increased the S2’s maximum shutter speed to 1/3200 second from the S1’s 1/2000, its maximum continuous capture rate to 2.4fps from 1.7fps, the size of its LCD monitor to 1.8-inches from 1.5-inches, and equipped it with an AF-assist lamp. The S2’s movie mode also benefitted from several audio enhancements. The camera’s feature-rich exposure system is simple enough for a beginner, yet offers advanced photographers plenty of opportunity for creativity. The beginner will enjoy the simplicity of Automatic point-n-shoot mode, and benefit from the pre-programmed scene modes, including the new Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Indoor and Night Snapshot modes. The advanced user will enjoy the S2’s Program AE, Shutter-Speed priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Stitch-assist, and Manual exposure modes.

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The Canon PowerShot S2 IS is a midsize ultra zoom camera that’s actually larger and heavier than the camera it replaces. The body is made almost entirely of plastic and, despite that, it feels solid. A large right hand grip makes it easy to hold, and all the controls are well placed. The camera features a larger 1.8″ LCD that can flip to the side and rotate — the S2 is the only camera in its class with this ability. In addition, the LCD (and the EVF as well) now gain up in low light, a feature sorely needed on the original S1. Camera performance is superb thanks mostly to the DIGIC II image processor. The S2 starts up quickly, there’s no shutter lag, and shot-to-shot and playback times are super quick. Focusing speeds aren’t quite as speedy — the S2 is surpassed by the Panasonic FZ5 and the Sony H1 in this area. Low light focusing has been dramatically improved since the S1 and there’s no longer a need to put the camera away when it gets dark. With the right memory card the S2’s continuous shooting mode screams, shooting at 2.4 frames/second until the memory card is full. Battery life is best-in-class, as well.

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