Howard_Creech's Full Review: Canon PowerShot S2 IS Digital Camera
Digital shutterbugs have been patiently waiting for Canon's update of the outstanding Powershot S1 IS, and their wait is over – the S2 IS is finally here. The S1 IS was incredibly popular because of its fast image stabilized USM 10x zoom lens, its best in class movie mode, its compact SLR like body, and full manual controls. The S1 IS was the first multi-function electronic changeling, a camera that combined digital still camera and digital video camera functions in one imaging platform without shortchanging either function. The major complaint most consumers had with the S1 IS was its 3 megapixel maximum resolution.
I said in the conclusion to my review of the groundbreaking Canon Powershot S1 IS,
"I don’t understand why Canon was so timid. The PowerShot S1 IS provides an amazing balance of features, capabilities and usability. Canon could easily have made the S1 at least 4 megapixels -- selling a 3 megapixel camera with the S1’s potential is like driving an Aston-Martin with a Volkswagen engine. Five (or better yet eight) megapixel resolution and a hot shoe would have made the camera much more attractive to advanced photo enthusiasts (and not much more expensive)."
I wasn't the only one to chastise Canon for their timidity, lots of serious shutterbugs took Canon’s product development folks to task and our combined voices resulted in some really useful improvements to the S1's successor.
How does the S2 IS differ from the S1 IS?
The S2's most important changes are the boost from 3 to 5 megapixels and the new 12X USM optical zoom (the S1 had a 10X USM optical zoom). Factor in the super powerful DIGIC II processor (the same unit used to power Canon’s entry level dSLRs) and the S2 is already out in front of most of its competition. But Canon didn’t stop there, a slightly larger 1.8 inch Vari-Angle LCD screen (the S1 had a 1.5" LCD), Auto Focus that’s almost twice as fast as the S1’s, a best in class movie mode that now features stereo sound, and a new Night Display function for a better shooting in dim/low light. The S2 IS is also Direct Print capable (with compatible Canon Printers) and PictBridge compatible.
The brain of the new S2 IS is its second-generation DIGIC II processor which combines image processing, power management, and most auto camera functions (Exposure, White Balance, and JPEG compression) in one chip to more efficiently handle camera operation. DIGIC II image files are optimized for bright colors, tack sharp resolution, balanced contrast, and lower noise. In addition, DIGIC II noticeably increases operational speed for faster startup, snappier auto focus, near real time shutter response, enhanced image processing speed, and quicker playback.
NUTS & BOLTS
Viewfinder/LCD
The S2 features a relatively high eye-point EVF (electronic viewfinder) that's essentially a much smaller version of the 1.8” LCD screen. The EVF provides average resolution, accurate color, and acceptable fluidity. Shooters can use the Display button to switch back and forth between the EVF and the LCD screen (only one can be active at any time). EVF brightness is adjustable, but the EVF/LCD doesn't automatically gain up (brighten) in dim lighting and that makes framing and composition in low light more difficult. There’s a diopter adjustment for eyeglasses wearers.
The S2’s Vari-Angle 1.8" LCD screen is one of the best around (especially in Playback mode) and consistently sharp, color correct, and fluid. The LCD pops out of the camera’s rear deck and rotates through 270 degrees (forward 180 degrees or back 90 degrees). Users can leave the LCD screen nested into its well (facing out) for standard viewing or extend it out from the back of the camera and twist it through a variety of shooting angles ranging from facing the front of the camera (good for self-portraits and allowing portrait subjects to fine-tune their poses in real time) or above the camera and facing toward the rear at a 45 degree angle (good for low level macro shots), or below the camera pointing backward (for over-the-head shots in crowds), or facing upward at a 90 degree angle to the back of the camera (for waist level viewing). When not in use the LCD screen can be flipped around and popped back into the monitor well (face-in) to protect it from scratches, smudges, and fingerprints (this position automatically shifts framing and composition chores to the EVF).
Zoom
If the DIGIC II processor is the brain of this digicam, then the heart of the S2 IS is its new f2.7-f3.5/36-432 mm (35mm equivalent) 12X zoom. Canon has a well-deserved reputation for high quality optics and the S2’s lens is one of the best digicam zooms that I've used. Throughout its extensive range (moderate wide angle to super telephoto) this zoom yields images that are consistently very good to excellent and that’s surprising since monster zooms are inherently complex and complexity exponentially magnifies distortion and optical faults. The S2 (like the S1) utilizes Canon's proprietary super quiet Ultrasonic Motor (USM), which enhances the obvious benefits of optical Image Stabilization and Canon’s fast accurate auto focus.
Nature and Sports photographers stand to benefit most from the super telephoto reach of the zoom and the amazing efficacy of the Image Stabilization system, which allows users to consistently shoot sharp and virtually blur-free images up to three stops slower than the competition. What’s equally amazing (considering its incredibly wide range, speedy AF, and IS system) is the compact profile of the new zoom, which retracts neatly into the camera body when the S2 is powered down. The S2's zoom is constructed of 11 elements in 9 groups including 1 UD (ultra low dispersion) element (to reduce chromatic aberration) and 1 aspherical element (to improve sharpness and color fidelity).
Barrel distortion (straight lines bow out from the center of the frame) at the wide-angle end of the zoom is about average for 10X-12X zooms and Pincushion distortion (straight lines bow in toward the center of the frame) at the telephoto end of the zoom is a bit better than average.
Chromatic aberration (a slight colored fringing visible around the edges of some objects in high contrast color transition areas) is about average at the wide-angle end of the zoom range, but noticeably above average at the telephoto end of the zoom. Corners are slightly soft at the maximum aperture, but sharpen up nicely at smaller f-stops. Based on my (admittedly subjective) assessment the S2's 12X zoom is not quite as sharp as the S1's 10X zoom. Corners are slightly softer and both barrel and pincushion distortion are marginally worse, however the differences are negligible and this zoom’s extended reach trumps the minor loss in optical performance when compared to it's predecessor.
Image Stabilization
Monster zooms allow serious shutterbugs to get really close to the action, but it's virtually impossible to handhold a long zoom camera steady enough to get a really sharp picture. There isn't much point in being able to get close enough to capture dramatic images if those images are blurred. Image stabilization allows photographers to shoot sharp images at shutter speeds that would normally be too slow to avoid camera shake. Does Image Stabilization actually work? Yes, users can consistently shoot sharper images at shutter speeds up to two (and occasionally 3) f/stops slower than would be possible with a similar camera without IS. The S2's IS options are - off, always on, kicks in only at shutter release (great for saving on battery power), and panning (corrects for up and down movement, but not side to side movement).
Image stabilization can be an invaluable asset for shooting indoors (or in dim/low light) where a shutter speed of (for example) 1/125th of a second might be required to avoid camera shake (and the resultant image blurring). The higher shutter speed will prevent camera shake, but it will also result in dark images with poor shadow/highlight detail. In the above example S2 users can enable IS and shoot at 1/30th of a second (2 f/stops slower) which provides extra light for better contrast and more detailed shadows) and still get sharp images. Users also benefit outdoors when shooting handheld at full telephoto (where even the slightest camera movement is magnified 12X) in good light because the image stabilization system practically guarantees sharper pictures by automatically compensating for camera shake.
Factor in Canon’s super quiet USM (ultra sonic motor) technology and S2 shooters have a fast accurate and virtually silent monster zoom that’s capable of capturing sharp handheld shots at shutter speeds that are beyond the ability of standard (non IS) long zoom digicams. Image stabilization opens up options like shooting at weddings and concerts (where flash is inappropriate) and using the zoom while capturing high quality video with stereo sound. Image Stabilization isn’t a silver bullet, but it does make a noticeable difference and that difference could result in nailing a once in a lifetime shot rather than missing it.
Auto Focus
The S2 IS (like the S1 IS) utilizes Canon's proven single AF point FlexiZone (TTL Contrast Detection) Auto Focus system. The AF focus point can be moved anywhere (with the exception of the extreme edges) in the frame. The S2's AF system delivers consistently sharp images in good lighting. Low light focusing is fairly decent, but don’t forget this is a prosumer digicam aimed at advanced shutterbugs– not a bar/party digital camera. "FlexiZone AF" can be coupled to the S2's Spot Metering function, allowing savvy users to lock AF and light metering on the single most important element in the composition (like the eyes in a formal head and shoulders portrait). The S2's AF is consistently quick and accurate and (thanks to Canon’s USM technology) remarkably quiet.
Manual Focus
Engage the S2's Manual Focus mode and the LCD screen (or EVF) provides a distance scale. The S2 automatically enlarges the central portion of the LCD screen. The MF mode works fairly well, but those for whom MF is an important consideration the S2 (along with the vast majority of digital cameras) is not your best choice. It is difficult and cumbersome to determine precise focus using the distance scale and stepped electronic focusing system, especially given the small size of the LCD screen even with the center portion of the image enlarged.
Flash
The S2's built-in multi-mode flash provides a very good range of lighting options including: off, on (fires full time), auto (fires when the camera determines that ambient light isn’t sufficient), red-eye reduction, Slow Sync (balances flash output and a slower shutter speed with ambient light for a more natural look), first curtain synch effect (flash fires at the beginning of the exposure), and second curtain synch effect (flash fires at the end of the exposure). Flash compensation can be adjusted +/-2 EV in 1/3 EV increments. Flash output power can be adjusted through a three step range. Maximum range is 12-14 feet (which seems fairly accurate based on my limited tests). The S2 doesn’t provide a hot shoe for external flash units, but savvy users can opt for Canon's optional HF-DC1 auxiliary slave flash (which I haven’t gotten to try yet).
Memory Media & Image File Format(s)
The S2 IS stores image files to SD/MMC cards (unlike the S1 IS which utilized Compact Flash).
The S2 IS saves images in JPEG file format (a TIFF/RAW option would have been nice)
Connectivity
USB 2.0, A/V out, and DC in
Power
The S2 IS is powered by four (convenient and available everywhere) AA batteries. Canon includes four alkalines but most shooters will be better off with 8 (two sets of four) high-capacity (at least 2100 mAh) NiMH’s and a fast charger. The S2’s image stabilized zoom consistently produces dependably sharper images at shutter speeds that would normally generate blurry pictures, but this capability comes at a significant cost in terms of power consumption. OEM battery duration quotes are always based on best-case scenarios, but in truth power consumption rates tend to vary substantially from user to user. How long the S2's batteries will last is dependent on how the on board power is consumed. Here's how an average prosumer shooter will use the S2 IS - full time LCD/EVF use, moderate flash use, heavy IS use, and regular review/deletion – if this sounds like you, then battery life will be far shorter than what is claimed by the manufacturer (up to 550 exposures). Based on my limited tests, the S2 IS (with four - 2100 mAh NiMh AAs) is good for a weekend of moderate to heavy shooting.
EXPOSURE
The S2 IS should provide serious photographers with all the exposure flexibility they are likely to need, including: full Auto, Program AE, Scene (Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Indoor and Night Snapshots), Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and full Manual modes.
In Auto (point & shoot) mode, the S2's CPU makes all exposure decisions. In Program AE mode, the camera automatically selects the aperture and shutter speed, but users can select all other exposure variables. In all Scene modes the camera will automatically optimize all exposure parameters for the specific type of scene selected utilizing Canon’s exclusive Canon’s exclusive iSAPS (Intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space) technology to produce consistently accurate exposures. The camera matches the scene in front of the lens with an on board database of known scene types and then compares that information with the specific scene’s subject distance, white balance, contrast range, lighting, and color (just before the image is recorded) to determine the best exposure. In Aperture Priority mode, shooters select the lens aperture and the S2’s CPU selects the appropriate shutter speed. In Shutter Priority mode users select the shutter speed (high shutter speeds to freeze rapidly unfolding action or slow shutter speeds to blur motion) and the S2’s CPU automatically selects the best corresponding aperture. In Manual mode users select all exposure parameters.
Movie Mode
In Movie mode the S2 can record (up to 1GB) video clips at 640x480 (VGA resolution) @ 30 fps. The S2 has the most impressive movie capability of any currently available digicam, really blurring the boundaries between digital still cameras and digital camcorders. George Lucas wannabes can use the S2’s stabilized monster zoom during filming (because of the super quiet ultra sonic motor) for dramatic close-ups and record their soundtrack in stereo (Microphone levels are adjustable).
The S2's new MovieSnap feature allows users capture a full resolution still image while shooting video (just press the shutter release) video recording is temporarily interrupted while the camera captures the still image, but the gap can be mended via the edit option with the included software. Videographers can also Lock AF or exposure, enable Manual focus, or select Photo Effects and My Colors during video capture.
In-Camera Image Adjustment
In camera image adjustment options can be very important tools for overcoming minor exposure problems, ensuring tack sharp resolution, tweaking white balance, balancing contrast, and fine tuning color saturation. The S2 permits serious photographers the flexibility to fine tune images to precisely reflect their individual preferences for color and tonality.
Very dark or very bright (or highly reflective) subjects can trick light metering systems into underexposing or overexposing images. The S2’s base exposure can be adjusted from -2/ 2 EV in 1/3 EV increments, allowing users to easily compensate for difficult lighting/subject reflectance problems or other environmental exposure variables.
The S2's Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) mode permits users to capture three images with one trip of the shutter button, each at a slightly different exposure setting. One image slightly over the base exposure setting, one image at the base exposure setting, and one image slightly under the base exposure setting.
The S2's contrast and sharpness options are fairly standard, but the My Colors feature (with a dedicated slot on the mode dial) provides 9 color options that can be applied real time to either video or still images.
Metering
The S2 provides three light metering options: Evaluative, Center-Weighted Averaging, and Spot. Evaluative metering assesses numerous individual points across the frame and then chooses the optimum aperture/shutter speed combination to capture the image. Center-weighted metering biases exposure on the central portion of frame (great for landscape and travel images where the subject is likely to be centered). Spot metering reads only a tiny portion of the image frame allowing users to bias exposure on the single most important element in the composition (like the eyes or face in a portrait). The S2's metering is accurate and the range of metering capabilities (especially the option to couple Flexi-zone AF and Spot metering) is more than adequate.
White Balance
The S2 provides a reasonably broad range of White Balance options, including TTL Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent (warm white), Fluorescent H (for daylight-balanced fluorescents), Flash, and two Custom WB modes. The Custom settings permit users to manually set white balance with a white card (wall or ceiling). The ability to save and use two Custom WB settings makes it easier for users to move back and forth between scenes with fundamentally different lighting (for example indoors and outdoors) situations. Automatic white balance seems to be accurate in most common types of lighting.
Sensitivity
The S2’s sensitivity range (expressed as 35mm equivalent ISO ratings) is pretty good (ISO 50, 100, 200, and 400), but it would have been nice to see ISO 64 and ISO 800 settings on the S1's update.
Noise Reduction
Noise reduction is automatically enabled for long exposures.
CONTROLS, DESIGN, ENGINEERING, & ERGONOMICS
The Canon PowerShot S2 IS looks a bit different than its predecessor, but the family resemblance is obvious. The slight redesign was necessary to accommodate the new 12X zoom. Like the S1, the S2 is a stylish and fairly compact digicam with a pseudo SLR look. The camera is well laid out and the built-in grip fits the hand well and balances the long zoom nicely. Controls are logically placed, easy to access, and quickly become intuitive; especially the dedicated video button and omni-selector up/down buttons. The S2 is tough enough (metal and polycarbonate body) to go just about anywhere (except combat and extreme climates) and do its job well when it gets there.
Technical Specifications
Resolution: 5 megapixels (2592 x 1944)
Viewfinders: TTL EVF and 1.8" LCD Screen
Lens: Canon USM f2.7-f3.5/36-432 mm (35mm equivalent) all glass optical Zoom
Auto Focus: Single AF Point Flexi-Zone Contrast Detection AF system
Manual Focus: Yes
Exposure: Auto, Program AE, Scene, Shutter Priority AE, Aperture Priority AE, and Manual modes
Flash: Built-in multi mode pop-up
Metering: Evaluative, Center -Weighted Average, and Spot
Exposure Compensation: Yes ( /-2 EV in 1/3 EV increments)
White Balance: TTL Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, and two Custom WB modes
Sensitivity: TTL Auto and (35mm ISO equivalent) settings for 50, 100, 200, and 400
Connectivity: USB 2.0, A/V out, and DC in
Image File Format(s): JPEG
Power: four AA batteries
Canon rechargeable NiMH batteries and charger, DC adapter, auxiliary telephoto and wide-angle converters, High Power Flash HF-DC1, Dedicated lens hood/lens adapter, Canon soft case.
In the Field/Handling & Operation
After my friend (who sells new and used digital and analog cameras and photographic equipment) got his hands on a brand new Canon Powershot S2 IS, we started off by shooting some color tests using a homemade macro stage and a selection of brightly colored (red, green, yellow, blue, and purple) plastic children’s beach toys arrayed against a white background. This test allows us to check not only color accuracy but also the precision of the white balance system. The S2 IS did an outstanding job---colors were bright, fairly neutral, and accurate. The S2’s Auto White Balance setting faithfully rendered correct color for all the plastic beach toys, but the red shovel and blue bucket were a bit brighter in our images (viewed on a NEC 19” CRT monitor) than they were IRL.
After we finished our color tests, we headed for nearby Cave Hill Cemetery. Cave Hill is the Derby City’s oldest graveyard (chartered in 1848), Louisville's unofficial arboretum, and one of the country’s best remaining examples of 19th century U. S. landscape architecture. The cemetery’s 300 acres are home to an amazing variety of exotic (and not so exotic) flowers, trees, bushes, and shrubs. We are well past the first wave of early bloomers, but there was still a lot of stuff blooming.
The last couple of weeks we’ve had some really nice weather, temperatures have ranged from the low seventies to the low eighties with a couple really impressive thunderstorms thrown in for variety. Skies were blue with wispy white clouds and very nice mid afternoon light. The temperature was in the mid seventies.
We cruised around the oldest part of the cemetery, stopping to shoot anything that looked interesting, searching especially for spots of color amid the Victorian grave markers and early twentieth century family monuments. We also took pictures of some of the hundreds of ducks and geese around the lake. The resident waterfowl at Cave Hill are quite tame (since most of the folks they see have bags of stale bread in hand) making them very easy to photograph.
After we completed a couple of loops of the twisty roadways at Cave Hill we drove over to nearby Cherokee Park and hit the scenic loop to shoot some outdoor “people” pictures. We didn’t find anything along the deeply shaded area of old growth trees parallel to Beargrass Creek, but once we got into the open meadow areas they were filled with parked cars, runners, skaters, bikers, Frisbee tossers, and dog walkers. We parked and spent about an hour shooting folks having enjoying the lovely weather before calling it a day. During our first outing with the S2 IS we used the camera in Program mode, with WB set to auto, sensitivity set to ISO 50, and quality set to the highest resolution. All shots were handheld. We shot each subject first without IS and then enabled IS and tried to duplicate (as closely as possible) the first shot.
For our second outing with the S2 IS we got together on a lovely Sunday morning and headed for Louisville’s Extreme Park. Skateboarders use the downtown skate park to practice tricks and hone their skills. The Park is the place to go for local action photographers, with ongoing opportunities to catch shots of daredevil boarders “catching some air” in gravity defying leaps and returns above the 12-foot half pipe. Over the past couple of years we’ve run into problems with shutter lag and AF lag thwarting us in our efforts to capture the peak action moment. We used the S2 handheld while sitting on the tiny platform at the top of the half pipe, passing the camera back and forth. The S2's shutter firing was essentially real time with pre-focusing, but that doesn’t guarantee capturing the one of these fearless kids in mid air (centered in the frame with a decent background), since it is really hard to track rapid action up close, it is more a game of guessing exactly where your subject is going to be (and framing your composition on that guess) about half a second before they actually get there.
The image stabilization worked really well, allowing us to shoot at a fairly high shutter speed in the oblique morning light and use the IS to help (by countering camera shake) us freeze the action. Image stabilization isn’t a magic bullet, if you shoot lots of rapidly unfolding action you’ll still get lots of blurred images, but you’ll also get some sharply focused images that you probably wouldn’t have gotten without image stabilization. We often go to the Extreme Park to test digital cameras and it can be intimidating trying to shoot leaping boarders with a 3X zoom. With a 12X zoom it can be terrifying since the boarders look like they are moving right at you and much to fast to avoid a collision. From now on (with monster zoom digicams) I may shoot the action from the safety of ground level at the half pipe, rather than from the dinky perch 12 feet up. We spent about three hours at the skate park and used the S2 IS in Shutter Priority mode (set to the highest practical shutter speed) and in Auto mode.
PERFORMANCE
Image Quality
After reviewing our images (on a 19” NEC CRT monitor) we both agreed that the outdoor images and close-ups were consistently well exposed, the color was uniformly good, and image quality was equal to or better than most of the S2’s competition. We didn’t have the opportunity to try the S2 IS indoors, so I can’t comment on its capabilities in that area. Outdoors is where the S2 IS really shines, but in full auto mode both my friend and I noticed a slight but consistent tendency toward overexposure in bright outdoor lighting.
The S2’s color is consistently accurate, but (like many digicams) red and blue are very slightly boosted. Images are dependably very good to excellent with good shadow and highlight detail and accurate skin tones. White balance is precise even in difficult lighting.
Noise levels are a bit high, but well within the acceptable range. Noise is basically invisible at ISO 50, minor at ISO 100, noticeable at ISO 200, but not egregiously so, noise is above average (obvious in shadow areas) at ISO 400 - much too high.
Timing/Shutter Lag
The S2’s new DIGIC II processor improves operational speed noticeably (Canon claims start up speed is increased by more than 50 per cent and AF speed by 45 per cent). The S1’s start up cycle was between four and five seconds, and the S2 boots up in just about half that. AF speed is perceptibly faster, about half a second from scratch, but I can’t swear that it is actually 45 per cent faster. The 12X zoom (once extended) only needs approximately one second to travel from wide angle to telephoto, which makes it just about as speedy as it’s 10X predecessor. Shutter Lag is about average for five megapixel digicams (around half a second) and almost real time with pre-focus. Shot to shot times run about 1 to 2 seconds between frames and write to card times are a bit faster than average.
A Few Concerns
The S2’s design omissions are really more relevant than its design faults. Canon should decide once and for all exactly who is the S2’s target audience? The S2 (like its predecessor) has an incredible level of potential, but it can’t seem to decide whether it is an entry-level prosumer digicam or a Point & Shoot digicam with prosumer pretensions. Here’s a note for Canon’s design staff -- for the S3 IS punch the resolution up to 7 megapixels, include a TIFF/RAW mode, add a hot shoe, steal the mechanically linked (SLR like focus and zoom) lens controls of the Sony F828, and incorporate the in-camera image adjustment options of the Olympus C8080. My only real concern with the S2 is it’s above average noise levels.
Conclusion
The S2 IS is very close to being as good as it gets in the five-megapixel digicam class, despite its design missteps. Serious shooters looking for a digital imaging tool that handles like an SLR and provides all the convenience and “gee whiz” features of a full auto P&S digicam are going to love the S2 IS (if they can live without a TIFF/RAW mode). Getting it for the same price as it’s less talented and older sibling is an added bonus.
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