S50 Weak Lens

[BOBinsane]

I recieve my S50 in the mail the other day. And although it's pretty much the same camera as my S30, I feel like the lens isn't made to handle the 5.0mp sensor behind it. I did get my camera for an extremely cheap price, but once I get enough funds I plan on converting to the DSLR league or a more modern camera of sorts. I'd hate to say this on a Canon forum, but I believe the S50 (at retail price) is overpriced and underpowered. Stick to an A series which couple much better lenses with their cameras, or maybe one of the New S's such as the S60 and S70 as they have new lenses as well. Don't ever buy a used S50, it's nothing special at all. Just a higher number of pixels in an attempt to give dumb consumers a chubby.

Although I do plan on running this camera into the ground, I'm going to to have to push it to its limits and be aware of it's weaknesses in order to get the best shots possible. If anyone has suggestions for me and my new camra, please feel free to leave me comments.

And actually I would like to forgive myself for being so crude, I'll have to do some night time tests first to make a final opinion. (Night is my favorite time to shoot)

[nosquare2003]

I'm curious...what makes you to get into these comments?

[BOBinsane]

I did some more through testing at night. It's an excellent camera for night shots. But during the day most of my images don't seem to have as much density per megapixel as my old S30 did. So I think it's either the 5.0mp sensor being too much in a tight spot, or the lens not being powerful enough for the sensor.

I'd like to forgive myself, this camera is still undoubtedly great, but it' doesn't have the impact that I believe the first stream of these S cameras had for their day. But perhaps that's where the S60/S70 pop in :-/

[xdjoynerx]

i think the s50 is an excelent camera for what it is, when it was designed, its size, and its numbers of features.

they packed an awesome overall camera into a very very small package.

as far as image quality goes, youve seen my pics :wink:

at full res, you are right, its not as perfectly crystal clear as it could be (subjects are, but surroundings arent so as much... but this is pretty much the case with any compact digital camera, including the a series which i have owned), but when viewed at normal size (say the size of your monitor) you cant tell at all.

and according to dpreview, the s60 has 100% identical resolution to the s50. the lens doesnt affect the image quality.

and if you think the lens is no good for a 5mp sensor, then i cant imagine how it would perform with a 7mp.

but honestly, the 3mp senor, 5mp sensor, and 7mp sensor are all the same size. i think the lens is fine. (for a camera of its size)

the one and only thing i would consider an actual down side to the s50 is its poor macro performance. its hard to get a focus lock. the battery life could also be better..........

[josh51699]

i think my s50 takes great pictures, crystal clear

i have this one lady who takes pictures alot w/her 35mm slr and always wonder how i get pictures so clear when she cant come close

personally i just think shes a bad photographer but regardless, great camera, excellent image quality

[adas]

I think this is classic:the first pictures with any camera are shaky garbage.I have a friend who was really disapointed about his fuji dslr because of such first time-shaky pictures.
No,the s50 lens is great.My fullsize pictures show sharp details even on the margins.The only think one can complain about on the s50 is the gory 4direction rocker button.That sucks.
Try not to buy digitals from ebay or whatever.Maybe is a dropped camera.

[Jon]

What do you mean "density per megapixel"? And it's unlikely that the lens will have any bearing on the sensor. Have you got the S50 set up exactly the way your S30 was set up? If the conditions aren't as close to identical as you can make them, comparisons aren't very meaningful.