[Recovered Thread: 72268]

[videosilva]

If you could buy a Pentax *istDS2 or a Canon S2 IS for the SAME price what camera would you go with ? This is my present problem............

I know the S2 has the video but if I wanted video I would buy a video camera.

Besides the video what is the better camera ???

[mtclimber]

The Pentax without a doubt! Perhaps you don't want to move to dSLR's? Tell me, won't you

MT

[videosilva]

Sorry I meant istDS NOT istDS2 for the same price as the Canon S2IS. I have BOTH cameras here with me now and am trying to figure out wich one to return. Why DO I need or anyone else need as SLR ??


I have ONLY taken in door tests so far and.................. The S2IS is MUCH better for in door low light shooting. The Pentax is dark and need alot of light. I have ONLY tested the two under low in door lighting so far.


I'm STILL undecided !!

[waste]

did u try Fuji S5200.

good value for money.



vivek

[Monza76]

This is a case of apples and oranges, the Canon is a small sensor p&s camera with some great features, the Pentax is a DSLR. If the indoor shots with the Pentax do not look as good then use the exposure compensation and the higher ISO to make up for the difference. For the same price there is no contest here, the Canon may produce nice jpeg images right out of the camera but the Pentax has so much more potential (it compares to the Canon 300D).

If you just want to take pleasant snapshots with an absolute minimum of effort then get the Canon, that is what it was designed for and it does the job very well. If you are serious about photography as a hobby, and not just to chronical family events, then get the Pentax, it has growth potential. All cameras have strengths and weaknesses, none are perfect, but if the prices are equal the Pentax has far more to offer than the Canon.

Canon advantages:
- video
- Image Stabilization
- big zoom range
- compact and lightweight all-in-one design
- no sensor cleaning
- no lens swapping

Canon disadvantages:
- lower resolution
- limited ISO
- more high ISO noise
- no lens swapping
- no wide angle capability without add-on lenses (questionable quality)
- greater shutter lag
- EVF viewfinder is always just a tick behind the action

Pentax advantages:
- real DSLR
- interchangeable lenses means much greater flexibility
- Usable high ISO to 800, acceptable results at 1600 and 3200
- Large sensor means much less image noise
- very compact for a DSLR, and still uses AA sized batteries
- optical viewfinder has no delay, more usable in low light
- almost no shutter lag
- typically faster focusing
- capability to add external flash
- very high build quality
- accepts a very large array of lenses (18-55mm is true wide angle)
- with proper settings the image quality is equal to the Nikon D50, and D70 as well as the Konica Minolta 7D and 5D because they all use the same sensor.
- the fact that it is a DSLR means it has the potential to become the core of a very professional camera system.

Pentax disadvantages:
- no video
- no image stabilization
- no big built in Zoom
- lens swapping (can be a hassle)
- additional lenses to cover the Canon's zoom range can be costly
- sensor may need to be cleaned periodically (less often if care is taken about dust when changing lenses)

[videosilva]

Monza76 wrote:

This is a case of apples and oranges, the Canon is a small sensor p&s camera with some great features, the Pentax is a DSLR.

I can not understand what the big hang up is with the DSLR stuff. In two or so years all those thousand plus cameras will be obsolete.



If the indoor shots with the Pentax do not look as good then use the exposure compensation and the higher ISO to make up for the difference. For the same price there is no contest here, the Canon may produce nice jpeg images right out of the camera but the Pentax has so much more potential (it compares to the Canon 300D).


I have now taken indoor and outdoor shots with the Pentax ( auto settings ) and AM NOT IMPRESSED ! The Pentax goes back. The indoor and outdoor LOW LIGHT is really LOUSY with the Pentaz, the S2 on the other hand I was quite impressed with for low light.




Canon advantages:
- video
- Image Stabilization
- big zoom range
- compact and lightweight all-in-one design
- no sensor cleaning
- no lens swapping



I thought I could live with out the video but.....
How can they make a MODERN camera with not IS ?
All cameras should have a large zoom




Canon disadvantages:
- lower resolution
- limited ISO
- more high ISO noise
- no lens swapping
- no wide angle capability without add-on lenses (questionable quality)
- greater shutter lag
- EVF viewfinder is always just a tick behind the action


Resolution works for me.
I have not graduated to ISO settings yet.
I can deal with the miniscual pricture distortion

Pentax advantages:
- real DSLR
- interchangeable lenses means much greater flexibility
- Usable high ISO to 800, acceptable results at 1600 and 3200
- Large sensor means much less image noise
- very compact for a DSLR, and still uses AA sized batteries
- optical viewfinder has no delay, more usable in low light
- almost no shutter lag
- typically faster focusing
- capability to add external flash
- very high build quality
- accepts a very large array of lenses (18-55mm is true wide angle)
- with proper settings the image quality is equal to the Nikon D50, and D70 as well as the Konica Minolta 7D and 5D because they all use the same sensor.
- the fact that it is a DSLR means it has the potential to become the core of a very professional camera system.



I still can't understand the DSLR hang up.
Intrechangeble lenses = $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ This camera is NOT for profit but for my use.
Supposedly the large sensor is better but........... NOT !
THe Focus is BETTER the S2 HANDS DOWN !



Pentax disadvantages:
- no video
- no image stabilization
- no big built in Zoom
- lens swapping (can be a hassle)
- additional lenses to cover the Canon's zoom range can be costly
- sensor may need to be cleaned periodically (less often if care is taken about dust when changing lenses)


Video should be STANDARD on all Dig cams.
IS is a MUST !
Again ZOOM means every thing.


Thanks for your time but I belive the S2 to be the camera to KEEP ! I tested the Pentax and expected to see TREMENDOUS differences and this is NOT the case. Im loosing TOO much for a camera whos picture quality really is not any better then the S2.

[Hards80]

i am happy to note that you are pleased with your decision.. but you are wrong on all accounts.. sorry...

[Monza76]

videosilva

It is good to see someone accepting the fact that they have limited photographic needs, and those needs can be satisfied with a mid level point and shoot. My question though is simple, if you were already so sold on the Canon, why did you bother to ask in the first place?

Enjoy your choice, I believe you have made the right one.

Ira

[videosilva]

The reason I decided to ask about the Pentax vs the Canon was that I kept reading and reading and reading about SLR and how good, GREAT, much better picture quality blah,blah,blah.


After some quick tests I find this not to be the case. The picture quality is minimal at best and not worth loosing the features of the S2.

Now if the Pentax image quality would have been WOW like I had presumed then the out come would have been different.

The TRUTH is there is NO WOW !!

videosilva

It is good to see someone accepting the fact that they have limited photographic needs, and those needs can be satisfied with a mid level point and shoot. My question though is simple, if you were already so sold on the Canon, why did you bother to ask in the first place?

[Hards80]

the truth is that the image quality difference is there... especially in less than ideal photographing conditions.. but it takes a little more skill to realize these differences..

so for your skill level and needs, the s2 probably does equal a dslr... but don't mistake that for a global truth..