Canon Vs. Kodak - Help

[Pretty3Horses]

Hi everyone,

Being a Canon person, I was REALLY skeptical about buying a Kodak. Family members however, convinced me to try out theirs. I tried their Kodak z760 and *thought* I liked it, so I bought one. :oops:

I'm really disappointed! I'm re-considering this camera (and Kodak all together, no offense to anyone) and thinking I might just toss it up on Ebay since its still brand new. I've had a Canon A80 for 3 yrs, so I'm really used to that type of camera.

I was wanting to buy a camera around $200-$300 but I'm thinking I might just take the plunge and get the S2 IS, it's not *that* much more expensive, and obviously, quality costs. :lol:

SO - I'm hoping some of you who know your stuff with cameras can give me a "side by side comparison" so to speak with Canon S2 IS and Kodak Z760. Some things I didn't like with my Kodak, is: poor quality outdoors in direct sunlight (way too bright and grainy), poor quality with moving animals, indoor lighting was bad and it has no way to adjust to warmer tones so as a result people look ghost white in all photos indoors when there is no sunlight, and thats even when you adjust the flash setting. Theres not many customizable options for me, it seems a little too basic and too..."pre-set" I guess.

So how does the S2 IS compare? I really need a camera that is great in bright sunlight outdoor motion settings (photos of moving horses specifically) as well as indoor of people in minimal lighting, with more options. THE ONE THING I do love about this Kodak, is the shutter speed is amazing. One click, and BAM, the photo is taken. I suppose its not that bad for a basic camera, but I think I need more options, something more advanced with a little more brilliance in the photo quality.

Any information would be great. By the way, I included a photo album with the photos I took from my Kodak - I really don't like this quality in comparison to the photos my Canon took. Its very dull and not very brilliant :( http://photobucket.com/albums/y218/GypsyMagic/KodakZ760/?sc=1

[RossW]

I think you'd be very pleased with an S2; outdoor performance is quite good. I think it probably stacks up well with most basic cameras indoors. You can quickly shift to an "indoor" white balance, or have the option to set a custom WB. If that's something you need to do regularly, you can even set a "shortcut" button to bring it up, or assign it to the custom shooting mode. Flash is decent, although I'd prefer a hot shoe so I could add a larger and more flexible flash. Shutter lag is quite tolerable, I think... certainly much less than my G5. The S2 works great under most circumstances on full auto, and the various scene pre-sets can enhance common shooting situations. (The "night snapshot" mode may work for your indoor flash problems.) But it's also fully capable of letting the user make adjustments -- including full manual -- in its other modes. And you gotta love the image stabilization with that long zoom.

[Pretty3Horses]

What is a "hot shoe"? And, do you think the shutter speed is good for quality motion photos outdoors? Thanks!

[RossW]

A "hot shoe" is a connection for a separate flash unit. Shutter speed is as quick as 1/3200 second. If that won't freeze it, I don't want to be in it's path!

[cool_dude07]

Go here for a side by side comparison:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_s2is%2Ckodak_z760&show=all

[4g63photo]

Hot shoe
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b264/fernie94/IMG_1993_640_480.jpg
hot shoe and flash
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b264/fernie94/IMG_1997.jpg

[Diminished29]

You should be just fine outdoors, its indoors you want to worry about, but its nothing that ISO400, small aperatures and a little flash can't solve.

Like I've mentioned in other posts the S2 isn't really something worth getting if your just gonna find yourself wanting an SLR a couple months after the purchase of it, but it sounds like your not interested in that much of a camera, so I'd say go ahead with the S2 purchase it has pretty much everything you could want in a P&S, if anything the lens makes it worth the purchase.

[Pretty3Horses]

Thanks everyone. No, I don't think I'll be getting an SLR, infact, I was happy with my Canon A80 and if I had to, I'd get that camera all over again and be just peachy. But, I'm thinking since I have the option, I'd like to go a tad more advanced than the A series since I really like to mess and play with controls. It's funny, I don't know a THING about photo terminology or what any of the controls *mean* on cameras, but I still like to take photos in advanced settings, and hate just P & S...hehe

Ok, my question now is this: Comparing Kodak z760 to the Canon S2 - WHAT makes the S2 *better* specifically? I mean, the min/max resolution is bigger on the kodak, the kodak has higher pixels, the ISO is higher (dont even know what ISO is) - But, basically a lot of the options seem "higher" on the Kodak, but yet, the photos it took were crappy. The real kicker to me, is I don't understand how a higher pixel cam (6mp) can be crappy quality when compared to my Canon A80 which of course is 4mp.

[stoneylonesome]

The Difference between 5 mpixels (Canon) and 6 mpixels (Kodak) is nothing. What counts is the lens, and I think the lenses on Canons are far better than the Kodak ones. Also the technology that Canon puts into the camera (Canon DIGIC II processor with iSAPS )

http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelFeaturesAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=12074&pageno=3

I feel is of higher quality.

[Pretty3Horses]

Hmm... $500,I don't know, I think thats pushing it for me, lol Like I said, I was impressed by the A80, so if I even had a tad bit more advanced options than the A80, while still being able to shoot alot of outdoor action, then I'm happy as a clam! I'm also taking into consideration all the Canon accessories I want to get with my camera, so the S2 is pretty much my "range".

Thats interesting tho about the difference in technology - it makes sense, the Kodak 6mp cost me $230, whereas the Canon S2 is 5mp and costs like $450ish I think. Theres obviously some major differences, and the megapixels obviously does not reflect the cameras quality as a whole.

Does the S2 have 'tone' options? like - cloudy? And does it have a controllable flash on cloudy days outside? The auto settings on this Kodak aren't very good, you can be in the shade on a bright sunny day and the darn thing still flashes. If you turn the flash off, it goes blurry.

Well, thanks for any information. I've now got to figure out the best way to sell my Kodak.

[cool_dude07]

The S2 does have several different white balance options(8 in total) The flash is also controllable. There are three different flash output levels.

I think you'll be very pleased with the S2, as I am.

[Pretty3Horses]

Thanks!

Is there anywhere online where I could see the actual controls, like ON the screen?

[harrisa]

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/s2is.html

Fairly in depth review and they have pics of on screen menu on page 4 and 5. Hope this helps.

aa

[stoneylonesome]

Thanks!

Is there anywhere online where I could see the actual controls, like ON the screen?


You can also check it out on this review, I think it is one sweet camera. One feature that is great on this is the flip out LCD screen. makes getting those other wise tough shots a lot easier.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons2is/page2.asp

[Pretty3Horses]

You can also check it out on this review, I think it is one sweet camera. One feature that is great on this is the flip out LCD screen. makes getting those other wise tough shots a lot easier.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons2is/page2.asp

Yay for the flip LCD screen :lol: The Kodak doesn't have one - arggg what a pain! Thanks

[Pretty3Horses]

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/s2is.html

Fairly in depth review and they have pics of on screen menu on page 4 and 5. Hope this helps.

aa

Thanks!!

[stoneylonesome]

When you decide buy and if you but over the internet, could I suggest you check the stores at resellers ratings.

http://www.resellerratings.com/

I personally buy most of my stuff from B&H Photo, there very reliable and fast service

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

Just some suggestions.

[justrick]

pretty3horses, try getting a s2is here in oz for $450, i'd have 2, we pay anyhere from $799.lowest ive seen is about $639au that is,im still saving for mine, its the best camera for my money. i have spent a lot of time looking at the reviews for different cameras and the s2is keeps comming to my attention. cheers rick

[cool_dude07]

Check this link....very detailed and informative review of the S2. This told me everything I wanted to know about my S2 before I bought it.


http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/S2IS/S2ISA.HTM

[Pretty3Horses]

When you decide buy and if you but over the internet, could I suggest you check the stores at resellers ratings.

http://www.resellerratings.com/

I personally buy most of my stuff from B&H Photo, there very reliable and fast service

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

Just some suggestions.

Thanks! I was looking at B&H earlier and bookmarked it.

[Pretty3Horses]

Check this link....very detailed and informative review of the S2. This told me everything I wanted to know about my S2 before I bought it.


http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/S2IS/S2ISA.HTM

Great, thanks, will check it out!

[Pretty3Horses]

Cooldude, that website was extremely helpful, just got finished reading it. It sounds like the S2 is a pretty all around camera, and I really like how familiar it is to me (after using A80) but how its got some new options I haven't used before.

Does anyone know where I might find a photo gallery of S2 photos?

[RossW]

...Does anyone know where I might find a photo gallery of S2 photos?

Yep! pbase can sort out photos by camera... here's the S2 gallery: http://www.pbase.com/cameras/canon/powershot_s2_is

[Pretty3Horses]

Yep! pbase can sort out photos by camera... here's the S2 gallery: http://www.pbase.com/cameras/canon/powershot_s2_is

Pretty nifty! I'm sorry for all the questions - but, I read the battery life is pretty good, so what do yall think? Is it really? My A80 sucked the life out of batteries like nobody's business ;) But I have read by getting special Canon batteries & a charger its much simpler and cheaper! I wish it took those, I think they're called - lithium batteries? Oh well.

[RossW]

The S2 can drain ordinary alkalines very quickly. However, a set of NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) rechargeables -- on the order of 2300 - 2500 mAh capacity -- will shoot hundreds of photos, more or less, depending on flash use, zooming, etc. Energizer makes a great little charger for the AA type, for a reasonable price, although there are certainly others out there. Having two sets of NiMH batts, so one is charging while you're shooting with the other, would let you go non-stop practically forever. One small caution: NiMH batteries run strong right up to the end, so you get very little warning that they're about to die. When the low battery indicator on the S2 comes on, be prepared for a quick change to a new set. Of course, in a pinch you can find regular AAs almost anywhere, so it's unlikely you'll ever be completely stuck... unless you're really out in the wild somewhere.

[Pretty3Horses]

I bought the Energizer charger, but it for some reason refused to work after one charge :confused: I'm not sure if it was the charger though, or the batteries?

Either way, good to know NiMH are long lasting on the S2. Totally off topic - well sort of - how come no cameras are made anymore with disks as the memory/photo storage? I remember several years ago using a really neat camera and its "memory" was just computer disks. Uh, of course, as I look at my new E-machine I guess its good I don't have a disk-type camera, this computer doesn't even have a disk drive :p

[stoneylonesome]

I bought the Energizer charger, but it for some reason refused to work after one charge :confused: I'm not sure if it was the charger though, or the batteries?

Either way, good to know NiMH are long lasting on the S2. Totally off topic - well sort of - how come no cameras are made anymore with disks as the memory/photo storage? I remember several years ago using a really neat camera and its "memory" was just computer disks. Uh, of course, as I look at my new E-machine I guess its good I don't have a disk-type camera, this computer doesn't even have a disk drive :p

As the pixel size increased so did the file size. with a 5 mgpixel camera you'd be lucky if you got 6 photos on a disk. :lol: :lol:

[RossW]

Sony, among others, had several cameras that use disks. I still have one that my work bought that used a floppy disk. Takes a "huge" (for then) 640 x 480 image. Couldn't fit even a decent 2 megapixel image on a floppy now! They also made some that write to a CD. I'm guessing that compared with flash memory cards, CD writing is too slow, too unreliable, too noisy. It does require spinning things with motors, moving lasers within tight tolerances, etc. Having no moving parts is a good thing in this case!

[Pretty3Horses]

Thanks Ross & Stoneylonesome,

Makes sense that they no longer have the disk thing :)

[sam walker]

I went down tat exact road. I got the Kodak 740Z last August and was unhappy with it from day 1. I shoot wildlife daily and must have a fast cam with minimal shutter lag I started looking again and ended up with the S2 The Kodak has a new name "my wife's cam".
Sam

[sam walker]

I went down that exact road. I got the Kodak 740Z last August and was unhappy with it from day 1. I shoot wildlife daily and must have a fast cam with minimal shutter lag I started looking again and ended up with the S2 The Kodak has a new name "my wife's cam".
Sam

[nwyman]

Pretty nifty! I'm sorry for all the questions - but, I read the battery life is pretty good, so what do yall think? Is it really? My A80 sucked the life out of batteries like nobody's business ;) But I have read by getting special Canon batteries & a charger its much simpler and cheaper! I wish it took those, I think they're called - lithium batteries? Oh well.

Word of caution - I wouldn't use the regular lithium cells in the S2. Canon specifically warns against it somewhere on the website. I know this, because I use to run my old Coolpix with disposable lithium AA's and had great luck with them. - Planned to do the same with the S2, but was cautioned against it - something to do with possible overheating if you take several shots in quick sequence.
On the plus side, the rechargeable NiMH's are great. I went to Europe last summer for a week - filled up one 512 card and started another and never had to change batteries. Didn't use the flash much though.

Nancy

[Pretty3Horses]

I went down that exact road. I got the Kodak 740Z last August and was unhappy with it from day 1. I shoot wildlife daily and must have a fast cam with minimal shutter lag I started looking again and ended up with the S2 The Kodak has a new name "my wife's cam".
Sam

Sorry to hear you made that mistake too!! I have always liked Kodak disposable cameras, but I never liked much of their digital photography. Aliens must've inhabited my body when I made this more recent purchase :p I think I'll be getting the S2 this weekend. :)

[Pretty3Horses]

Word of caution - I wouldn't use the regular lithium cells in the S2. Canon specifically warns against it somewhere on the website. I know this, because I use to run my old Coolpix with disposable lithium AA's and had great luck with them. - Planned to do the same with the S2, but was cautioned against it - something to do with possible overheating if you take several shots in quick sequence.
On the plus side, the rechargeable NiMH's are great. I went to Europe last summer for a week - filled up one 512 card and started another and never had to change batteries. Didn't use the flash much though.

Nancy

Thanks for the word of caution!