Canon PowerShot S1 IS

[LaurentiuB]

I would like to buy PowerShot S1.
What do you think about this new model ?

[pradeep1]

I handled one recently and found it to be well built, the image stabilization works well, the zoom is long and very fast (surprisingly), and image quality is decent to high for a 3MP. It is very expensive though, for what you get. Depends on how you are planning on using it. Image stabilization will give you about 2 stops extra of hand holding reach. I could zoom in all the way in the store and shoot at 1/20 at the widest aperture and still have usable images. Nice feature.

Build quality is very good. Reminds me of my very capable G3. Focus is not super snappy, but reasonable. Same low light problems as other Powershots.

[DocFrankenstein]

Have had it for... 2 months. Happy camper. Really satisfied.

I can't compare it to anything else, but it's a real nice camera. Stabilization is a great feature.

It's a good pro-consumer cam.

The cons are:
Plastic body
And I still didn't figure out a way to attach filters
Low light focus sucks
Manual focus is hard to work with. Not ehough detail in the LCD to see where it is precisely

[css01]

are there any advantages to tuning IS off?

[G2 S1 Fan]

I can't see any advantage to turning IS off. The S1 IS makes a great outdoor/vacation camera. For indoor flash shots I use my G2 with the 420EX flash with a Stroboframe Camera Flip bracket with the Off Shoe Cord 2. If I'm taking pictures of people, I bounce the flash off of the ceiling. It works perfect.

[DocFrankenstein]

are there any advantages to tuning IS off?
Tripod shots

[Lurker]

I finally decided to upgrade to a digital camera that allowed more [artistic] control. I tried out several 10X zoom models and immediately loved and hated the feature. 10X is an excellent zoom for the style of shooting I do at dance competitions and high school football events. But the long zoom blurred a lot of images -- until I found the S1.

The other thing I hated about digital photography was the slowness of shooting a sequence of frames -- all were way too slow at the consumer level. The S1 delay is short, about 2 frames a second [30 in video mode].

I load it with a microdrive so I don't get concerned about sequencing a lot of shots and using up storage. Now I have the combination of features that makes shooting with digital more like shooting with SLR film. Practice on the settings that control shutter or aperture since it takes getting used to the adjustments.

[LaurentiuB]

Thank's for your comments.
I played a litle bit with S1 and I don't like the macro function. I didn't understand how it's working.

[Liang]

How about the Video in S1? 30fps in 640x480 and record directly to card, can S1 replace the camcorder?

[jpmccormac]

Thank's for your comments.
I played a litle bit with S1 and I don't like the macro function. I didn't understand how it's working.

The S1 IS doesn't have a Macro mode, per se. It will close focus to within 3.9 inches at the widest focal length, 38mm. At 380mm the closest focusing distance is 3 feet.

[flugelboy]

Thank's for your comments.
I played a litle bit with S1 and I don't like the macro function. I didn't understand how it's working.

I just purchased this camera, and I'm actually pretty impressed with the macro capabilites.

This pic was taken at around 5-6 cm at the widest focal length. I also resampled the photo to less than 50% of it's full resolution. The actual photo was much larger.

http://www.chadwhite.com/Portals/0/TTTGallery/Favorites/IMG_0253.jpg

[LaurentiuB]

I bought the camera 2-3 weeks ago and I'm very satisfied. I was able to take picture without macro function. So, I think that the Canon S1 IS worth its money.

http://laurentiu-bogdan.fotopic.net/p5678558.html
http://laurentiu-bogdan.fotopic.net/p5678559.html

[Bodryn]

I've had the S1 IS for about 6 weeks now; I've gotten handheld photos of distant birds that would be impossible without image stabilization. It would be a great spy camera because you can take photos of people a block away without their knowledge and yet they are easily recognized as though only a few feet away. I'm still exploring the capabilities of this camera but so far I am very impressed and happy with it.

[jayco59]

Does anyone have any information on the availablity of 2x or greater Telephoto lenses for the S1 IS camera. I have the 52mm lense adapter and was looking for a telephoto lense larger than the 1.6x that Canon offers.
Thanks.
Jay

[StrongBad]

Does anyone have any information on the availablity of 2x or greater Telephoto lenses for the S1 IS camera. I have the 52mm lense adapter and was looking for a telephoto lense larger than the 1.6x that Canon offers.
Thanks.
Jay

There is a 2.2 that will fit from raynox. www.raynox.com