Canon S1 IS brief review

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

I recently bought a Canon S1 IS because it had all the feautures I was
looking for:
1) 10X optical zoom
2) Image Stabilization
3) Manual controls (even though I may never use them)
4) Good quality video with sound

I haven't used the camera much, but the quality of printed pictures is
much better than the old Sony digital camera I have, but not as good as
my old Pentax IQ Zoom film camera.

Regular AA batteries don't last at all. Rechargeable NiMH are doing
well.

I bought a 4 GB Hitachi minidrive ($179 @ outpost.com) and I am happy
with it.

First thing I noticed is that I can't have the camera print the
date/time on the image. My other two cameras do that and I would have
liked to have the option.

Lens cap doesn't fit snugly and it comes off easily. You can tie the
cap to the shoulder belt loop, so you won't lose it.

Reading the manual, there seem to be tons of ways to manually control
aperture, exposure, etc. I have only tried manual focus so far, and I
am impressed with the feature.

Built-in flash is quite good. I am also considering a slave flash ($20
at Ritz).

The best thing I like is that the video comes out in AVI format and I
can post it on Web without having to convert.

Make sure that the CF card you are going to buy is at least 18x speed
to be able to shoot video in highest quality.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Sudhi wrote:

> I recently bought a Canon S1 IS because it had all the feautures I was
> looking for:
> 1) 10X optical zoom
> 2) Image Stabilization
> 3) Manual controls (even though I may never use them)
> 4) Good quality video with sound
>
> I haven't used the camera much, but the quality of printed pictures is
> much better than the old Sony digital camera I have, but not as good as
> my old Pentax IQ Zoom film camera.
>
> Regular AA batteries don't last at all. Rechargeable NiMH are doing
> well.
>

Alkalines never last long

> I bought a 4 GB Hitachi minidrive ($179 @ outpost.com) and I am happy
> with it.
>

NOT a help with battery life!

> First thing I noticed is that I can't have the camera print the
> date/time on the image. My other two cameras do that and I would have
> liked to have the option.
>
> Lens cap doesn't fit snugly and it comes off easily. You can tie the
> cap to the shoulder belt loop, so you won't lose it.
>

Intentional -- so when you turn it on it does not load the extending lens.

> Reading the manual, there seem to be tons of ways to manually control
> aperture, exposure, etc. I have only tried manual focus so far, and I
> am impressed with the feature.
>
> Built-in flash is quite good. I am also considering a slave flash ($20
> at Ritz).
>
> The best thing I like is that the video comes out in AVI format and I
> can post it on Web without having to convert.
>

Yes -- video is excellent.