Fuji S5200 vs. Canon S2 IS

[XxRobankxX]

Which would be a better camera from a active (sports)/landscaping photographer?

Ima open to all advice....price does not matter.

[swgod98]

Personally, I think the only 2 advantages the S2 has over the S5200 are:

1) Video and audio recording (probably best of any camera out there)
2) Action photography in well lit environment (typically outdoors only)

Reason I say this is because when you have enough light for a fast shot, you don't need to up the ISO. But, at the long end of the zoom range, you might need some help to prevent camera shake. On the S5200, your only option is to up the ISO to get a faster exposure. On the S2, you have IS. IS helps without having to up the ISO to reduce exposure time any further.

The S2 has 12x zoom (432mm). The S5200 only goes to 10x (380mm). The S2 also has a very slightly wider angle of view for landscapes. Of course, you can always purchase adapter lenses for both.

For the price, the S5200 really is an extremely exceptional camera...I think it beats most of the competition in many categories. But, there are a few things the competition can do better, and I believe the 2 I outlined above are the things the S2 excels in over the S5200.

Keep in mind, if you are going indoors for sports, the S5200 "might" be a better option (I say might because a lot of indoor sports are fairly well lit anyways). The S5200 still doesn't reach as far and it doesn't have IS, but there's no need for IS if you can't stop the action. The higher ISO values can help stop the action (and camera shake) in this case.

IS can also help with action shots when panning. While a higher ISO (of the S5200) will stop EVERYTHING, an IS camera (like the S2) might be better at capturing the moving background of a subject in motion.

Finally, the S2's burst mode is the best in it's class.

I own an S2, and I really think it's a keeper. But, the S5200 has a lot going for it as well.

[MaryG]

I am not sure what to recommend for sports, although the S5200 brags that it's anti blur is great. I just received my S5200 and so far I love it. It's big, I won't lie, but it's lightweight and takes great photos for a novice. I have mainly tested it in the auto mode and I uploaded 2 pics to Amazon.com (the flower and the amazingly cute sheltie)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-images/B0007GIXSI/ref=cm_ciu_pdp_images_all/002-4776303-5457639?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=photo#gallery

Good luck and I hope some of you who helped me decide which camera to get, read this. Thanks to you all :) I will try to figure out how and where to post my pictures so everyone can judge for themselves if this is a good beginner camera. :)

[coldrain]

The IS of the canon counters camera shake that with tele photo shots and with lower light conditions (longer exposure times) prevents blurry pictures from camera motion. With longer exposure times a moving subject will still be blurry though.

The Fuji with its higher ISO with low noise possibilities allows for shorter exposure times, and will not show up camera motion because the time is too short for camera shake to show up. With the same ISO value as the Canon it will not give assistence with tele photos, and with its shorter exposure times with high ISO in lower light conditions moving subjects will be less blurry than with longer exposure and IS.

Both systems have their pro's. Both cameras are very capable and nice. It depends on what one finds important and what your preferences are, what camera is best for you. I do like the S2IS's screen a lot, that is a feature i would find important when I would choose between the S2 IS, the S5200/5600, the FZ20. Others will have an other prefference.

And MaryG, I am VERY glad you are happy with your new camera :)

I do not remember if I have pointed ou to the S5200 or not, but anyway I am very glad you found a camera that you like a lot. And yes, your dog is very adorable :)