A620 vs S2-IS

[LynnE.]

I am trying to decide which camera to purchase and would like some feed back from those of you who know. I take pictures of Art quilts. I need detailed, close up pictures of the stitching with excellent, true color. I usually need them printed in 5 X7 to 8 x 10 sizes. Which would be the best camera for me? Thanks

[nwyman]

at last - something I can answer!
I am a quilter also - I haven't used the A620, but am very pleased with the S2 in this regard. I have printed the results in both sizes you mention, and used them for juried entries to shows. The S2 has a great macro setting for close-ups of small areas.

Nancy

[BullittMan]

Judging by what you would be using it for, I'd say the S2 would be the way to go, realize though it is more expensive and larger than the A620, but if that is not an issue then it looks like you've found your camera.

[LynnE.]

The size and cost (only a $100 difference) really isn't a problem for me. My husband has a SD400 if I need to use a pocket camera. Can you tell me why the S2 is a better choice? Thanks

[SBellew]

The size and cost (only a $100 difference) really isn't a problem for me. My husband has a SD400 if I need to use a pocket camera. Can you tell me why the S2 is a better choice? Thanks
You say you would need to take pictures of the stitching. I would dare to say that the 12x zoom combined with macro mode would allow you to stand far enough away to use available light instead of needing to set up a external light source to illuminate the quilts? I have not done much shooting yet as I just go my S2 a couple weeks ago and am still learning its capabilities.

[BullittMan]

I've only toyed with the S2 at Walmart.. but the fact that it has a longer zoom, and a super macro mode make it seem to be more fitting for what you are going to be using it for. If you're going to be taking close up pictures of quilt stiching, you might consider also getting a small table-top tripod, or one of those bean-bag camera rests.

[LynnE.]

Without getting too technical can someone explain to me if it is worth (and why) getting the S2 over the A620. Thank you for all the responses so far.

[nwyman]

Without getting too technical can someone explain to me if it is worth (and why) getting the S2 over the A620. Thank you for all the responses so far.

very untechnical, but - I've looked at the two cameras on the Canon site. I've never used the A620, but it looks pretty comparable to the A95, which I liked quite a bit.

You have a larger resolution with the A620, since it has 7 megapixels, as opposed to the S2, which has 5. This will be an advantage if you want to make prints over 8 x 10, but if you're just using email and smaller prints, I doubt you'll notice the difference.

On the plus side for the S2, it does have image stabilization (but this doesn't seem to help very much for indoor hand-held shots) and the much longer zoom, which is great if you are taking nature/wildlife shots.

The S2 is a wee bit bulkier, but I still find it easy to slip into a purse.

If you're just going to be using it for the quilting gigs, and don't need or think you'll ever want the longer zoom, then I think you'll be happy with the A620.

But be warned - this is addictive. <g>

Nancy

[LynnE.]

Thanks Nancy, Yes i will mostly be using it for my business for quilting gigs and I don't print anything bigger than 8 X10. How much of a difference will the 7 vs the 5 make? Is the S2 more versitile? Or is there not much difference. Will the zoom make little difference on hand held shots inside a building trying to get close ups of stitching? Thanks for the input. Lynn

[nwyman]

Thanks Nancy, Yes i will mostly be using it for my business for quilting gigs and I don't print anything bigger than 8 X10. How much of a difference will the 7 vs the 5 make? Is the S2 more versitile? Or is there not much difference. Will the zoom make little difference on hand held shots inside a building trying to get close ups of stitching? Thanks for the input. Lynn

there really is not that much difference, in so far as I can tell (and I'm pretty much a novice at this stuff). Personally, I think you'll use the macro feature for close ups more than the zoom, as the macro concentrates more on detail (at least that's how I see it). I know you can get close-ups either way - a lot of it depends on how much area of the quilt you want to appear in the shot.

If you are going to be going to shows and/or galleries and want to take photos of quilts on exhibit, I'd suggest getting an adapter and an add-on wide-angle converter for either model.

I feel that the S2 is more versatile (see my comments re: nature shots), but if you are going to limit yourself to the quilt stuff, I think you'll like the A620.

But bear in mind, I'm basing my opinion on my experience with the A95 - I've never seen an actual A620 to date.

[kalpesh]

Definitely the A620 - just because you are not going to use any of the major features of S2 (mainly the 12X monster zoom). Yes, its good at macros, but I guess that even A620 is good at that.
With A620 you would be getting a 7MP which would allow you to print in much larger size than what you have mentioned.
I own a S2 and its more than just a great camera but you will not be using any of the features of that one except the macro mode !

[nab2006]

I just recently had to chose between the A620 and the S2. I chose the A620 over the S2 for the following reasons:
-more compact-- fits nicely in a small belt-case thus easier for hiking, etc
-great resolution, and 4X optical zoom which is very good and clear
-awesome macros and close-ups-- makes awesome clear 8X10s
-put the extra $100 into (2) 512MB SD cards & accessories as
-I know I will be buying a pro-sumer DSLR after I've mastered the manual options on the A620, and the DSLR will give me all of the zooming capabilities of the S2, and more with lens choices. However the portability of a DLSR and S2 is more or less the same, but the A620 will still give me a more portable option.
-A620 also offers image stabilization and many manual options.
-4X zoom and 7 megapixels should give you enough room to take good close-ups without lighting being a problem.

The 4X zoom on the A620 is more than sufficient for close ups of stationary objects you can get up close to with the camera. Unless you will want close ups of distant, physically inaccessible objects, such as wildlife, you will not need the 10X optical zoom.

Also, I don't think you will see any difference in picture quality for up to 5X7 on 5 vs 7 megapixels, and probably minor difference on 8X10s. Note also that the macro mode on the A620 works every well-- check out some of the pics on this site. The clarity and magnification is intense. You will note that many of the macro pictures don't have a lot of depth of field-- ie. the subject is clear, and details behind or in front are not clear. There is some adjustability in manual mode to increase depth of field. But in your case I expect you would shoot the quilt laid out flat, meaning meaning everything should be clear as the entire subject lies in your depth of field.

I've shot about 1100 pictues in the past month with the new camera, from portraits to close ups, to landscapes, sunsets, macros, etc and I've been very pleased with the results (that is, when I had the right exposure!).

Also, I did EXTENSIVE late night reading on dpreview.com (just ask my wife!) and other websites comparing the S2 and similar brands to the Canon A620 and similar. dpreview.com will tell you every option each model has, and from what I recall, the A620 has most of the manual settings and options as the S2. If the S2 has any extra options, ask yourself will you really need it? The A620 takes fantastic pictures, even in auto mode.

Let us know what you decide, and post your pics!

[gardengirl13]

Here are a few quilts I've done. Now keep in mind, these a very quick snapshots, taken in my livingroom, with bad lighting. If I took more time to do them they'd look better. I use an A610 (same as the A620, but only 5mp) they print great!

http://inside.bard.edu/~troost/closeup.jpg

http://inside.bard.edu/~troost/marmessquiltcloseup2.jpg

hope that helps a little.

[nwyman]

I've posted some photos of some of my quilts at:

http://flickr.com/photos/nancyw

These were taken with the S2, with no particular care or technique - just as a recording device. They don't show up as well on the website as they do in print.