jon77 wrote:
I know that the major advantage of the S230 is the ultra-portability. So is the major advantage of the S30 merely the 3x zoom and the manual controls?
Yes u could conclude that indeed. Although given digital camera buying for the tourist snapper is a one time buying thing, and if you're one, then I'd say that for u the S30 (or S40/S45) will suit if you're classed as a 'power tourist snapper' ie. once u master the ease point and shoot and can't stop smiling at the briliance of digital shots, you'll want to play with aperture and shutter settings. If this will never interest you then, go for the S230. Why? because not only does the S230 on average take photos of excellent quality that is never going to be critiqued by an untrained eye, its small, oozes style, and u are going to want it next to your cafe latte on holiday.
And anyway if u go the S230 route then ... perhaps sometime in the distant future and I can tell u it'll come ... u can always get a powerhouse unit full of all the latest technology to express yourself and then you're laughing because u have both units for all occassions.
For the point and shoot tourist snapper, the S230 with its latest DIGIC image processing technology is excellent and preferred over the older S30. But if u know how and do use the manual controls, the new technology isn't going to help if u can't put the camera into Aperture priority for example.
See my prev post re S30 vs S230:
https://photography-on-the.net …owthread.php?t=6968#31565
From your questions below, I feel u understand, appreciate and will critique the photos u take which leads me to recommending the S30 for u. (pss Althought u really should stretch to the S45)
Does the S30 take better indoor photos than the S230?
It should based on a more powerful flash.
Does the S30 have the same degree of red-eye reduction problems as the S230? ?
Don't know - why should it matter as at this level of compact camera red-eye reduction is a hit and miss if u understand how it happens in the first place. Don't complicate purchase decision based on this.
Is the new digital system in the S230 better than the guts in the now year-old S30? ?
Yes - at a digital level, any improvements to the brains of the unit is significant.
Which takes better photos on automatic settings? (i.e. the S230 supposedly has the best auto intelligence with nine points of contact, etc. Does the S30 have an equivalent excellence in auto-focus?
Hmm .. tough one. I'm going to say the S230 is marginally better in auto mode due to DIGIC. There's another thread that started discussing S45 vs S30/40/G2 photos on www.dpreview.com
and if the photos weren't manipulated in-PC, then the newer S45 with its DIGIC processor seems to churn out better / sharper shots ... just relaying my own judgement from eyeballing those shots. U should go and compare S230 and S30 there!
Does 3x zoom really make a big difference over 2x zoom?
Read my prev post.
If the S230 also had 3x zoom, I think I would buy it over the S30. But if someone showed me how the S30 takes superior pictures to the S230, that could sway me as well.
Tough one ... briefly if u are in England, there is a law I think were u could buy both in parallel from diff stores and quickly test them in a way that allows u to return it back in 'untouched' and 'original' condition within 14 days for full refund (based on right to cancel the purchase in a 'distance selling' agreement ie purchasing via mail order). Pls don't quote me on all this ... and be discreet.
Blimey, u owe me one. I just helped another user sanket decide on his S45 ...
