ProductCritic: Canon PowerShot S2 IS Reviews

DP Expert (98)

The Canon S2 IS is simply great fun to use. Because focus is so smooth and quick at any focal length and in any reasonable light, and because there is no shutter lag and the image stabilisation mechanism eliminates the effects of camera shake, this becomes just about the most sophisticated point and shoot camera in the shops.

Megapixel.net (91)

Positives: Excellent image quality. Powerful 12X zoom lens. Effective Stabilization system. Silent and fast zoom motor. Hinged LCD monitor. Stereophonic sound. Can be used to record audio. Negatives: Occasional chromatic aberration with high contrast subjects. No RAW or uncompressed image format. EVF image still a bit coarse.

Good Gear Guide (90)

If you want a carry-around camera capable of handling a wide range of tasks, including good-quality video, the S2IS is well worth a look.

Digital Photography Review (85)

But ultimately the appeal of the S2 IS goes beyond simple pixel-peeping; it has a class-leading feature set, a very reliable image stabilization system (the benefits of which cannot be overstated) and superb handling. It’s well-priced, incredibly versatile and – above all – highly enjoyable to use.

Cameras.co.uk (83)

All in all the Canon Powershot S2 IS is an impressive package. As well as its 12x optical zoom it comes packed with features. It is one of the more expensive cameras of its type and you will need to spend time getting to know the camera well to be able to justify paying the extra money for it.

Computer Shopper (83)

There is no doubting the quality of the PowerShot S2 IS. It takes wonderfully rich pictures, has a bright 12x zoom lens with image stabilisation and is a joy to use.

Imaging Resource (83)

If you’re looking for a good “all around” camera with great features, a long zoom lens, image stabilization, and a really excellent, well-integrated movie mode, all at an affordable price, there really isn’t another model on the market that’ll fill the bill the way the Canon S2 IS does.

T3 (80)

Despite all its plus points, this snapper falls short of top marks – mainly because of its high price tag. The money-conscious photographer would be better off looking at some of the less-expensive ultra-zoom competition.

Pocket-lint (80)

The Canon Powershot S2 IS provides a superb range of features and great handling abilities in a relatively small package and gives more than adequate results at a resolution that is ample for prints up to and over A3 in size. Even with Canon’s recently announced avalanche of new cameras, it still sits neatly in the range providing an enthusiast level of performance and specification at nearly half the price.

Digital Camera Magazine (80)

As with all the cameras that Canon make the Powershot S2iS is really well built, has comfortable controls and easy to navigate menus. The image quality is also excellent, with sharp and vivd colours. For amateurs and experts alike the S2iS has shown particular finesse for sports and wildlife photography.

Let's Go Digital (79)

The camera is versatile and is equipped with powerful functions. Featuring innovations like the DIGIC II processor lift the S2 IS to a higher level than its competitors. The performance of the camera is excellent, and as far as we are concerned, the camera is definitely recommendable!

Digital Trends (75)

Yet the deal breaker for me is the manual flash. Imagine taking a critical shot, pressing the shutter then realizing you have to open the flash. In that critical moment, the memory could be gone. Toss in the fact that you don’t get rechargeable batteries and a charger, and this mega zoom camera moves near the bottom of the list of available options.

Steve's Digicams (70)

While its image quality, responsiveness and viewfinder quality are not quite up to dSLR standards, the S2’s versatility is unmatched by any dSLR available today. If you have a need for megazoom focal lengths, the S2 IS also represents a terrific value; while dSLR image-stabilized long focal length lenses sell for thousands of dollars, the S2 IS can be had for under $500, image-stabilized zoom lens included.

PC Mag (70)

It does offer fairly good stills along with decent video clips. We had problems, however, with certain features. For example, there is the rather poor combination of a small LCD (a paltry 1.8 inches, while we’re now living in a world of LCDs of 2.5 inches or-larger), which isn’t viewable at all in bright sunlight, and a bad electronic viewfinder which is grainy and hard to see.

DigitalCameraInfo.com (65)

All around, the S2 is a capable camera with an extremely flexible lens that justifies the $450 price tag alone; however, those looking for immaculate stills will be put off by the visible noise present in the S2’s images.

T3 Mag (65)

Digital Photograpy Interface (63)

The S2 lacks some features that other cameras of its class have. Some things that the S2 IS lack include manual zoom/focus rings, live histogram, a jog dial and a battery indicator. And maybe Canon should forget about including a memory card and just bundle in some rechargeable AA NiMH batteries with charger?