Canon S2 vs. Sony-H1

[jpb1977]

I know we are talking in hypotheticals since neither camera has been released or even tested by our friend Jeff, BUT, I was all gung-ho on the Sony, and then Canon had to go and finally release the camera I've been waiting for - the S2!!! I've pretty much overlooked the Kodak 7590 due to its lack of image stabilization (although I love its huge LCD), or the HUGE Panasonic ultra zoom.

So, back to the topic - I've read the press releases, I'm looking for points that perhaps I've missed that would sway me back towards the H1. Please stick to comparisons between the S2 and H1 - I can't compare more than 2 objects at once! Thanks a bunch!

jpb

[JTL]

I know we are talking in hypotheticals since neither camera has been released or even tested by our friend Jeff, BUT, I was all gung-ho on the Sony, and then Canon had to go and finally release the camera I've been waiting for - the S2!!! I've pretty much overlooked the Kodak 7590 due to its lack of image stabilization (although I love its huge LCD), or the HUGE Panasonic ultra zoom.

So, back to the topic - I've read the press releases, I'm looking for points that perhaps I've missed that would sway me back towards the H1. Please stick to comparisons between the S2 and H1 - I can't compare more than 2 objects at once! Thanks a bunch!

jpb.
We may be talking about issues that cannot be resolved through hypothetical dialogue as you have suspected. You say "the S2 is "the camera you've been waiting for" yet you want to be swayed back to the H1. That’s just silly since no one can say for sure anything about these cameras at this point beyond reciting specs. Someone in your dilemma can not even think about deciding until you've tried both cameras in person...read reviews, of course...but I suspect that for you, it will come down to personal taste and feel. Free your mind. Wait to hold use both cameras yourself...then decide. I'd put it out of my mind till then if I were you.

:)

[jpb1977]

Good advice, I agree... but June is so far away!

jpb

[JTL]

Good advice, I agree... but June is so far away!

jpbI hear you...I even went as far as to look at web sites that were taking pre-orders the the S2....and then I stopped to think about how kooky that was...

[Balrog]

Found a first impressions review (http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-H1-First-Impressions-Review-.htm) for the Sony H1 ... imho, the S2 IS is way better - according to the review, H1 doesn't have proper manual focus or WB, and it has a really lousy burst mode (0.7fps for 9 images, compared to 2.4fps, infinite on the S2)... the only thing that is better on the H1 is the 2.5" LCD, and I'd personally prefer the 1.8" articulating one that the S2 has (specially considering the size is increased, but the resolution is the same, so there's not that much benefit..). Add all of that to a slightly slower lens, and more expensive (and proprietary!) sony memory sticks, and the H1 looks worse and worse compared to the S2 ...

[PeterB666]

Found a first impressions review (http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-H1-First-Impressions-Review-.htm) for the Sony H1 ... imho, the S2 IS is way better - according to the review, H1 doesn't have proper manual focus or WB
The H1 does have a 'manual focus' arrangement, however it is by way of 5 pre-set focus distances similar to other Sony cameras. Personally I find this better than the sliding (and usually unmarked) scales on most digicams that have manual focus.

Omission of manual white balance is a bit of a problem. While the pre-sets for white balance are generally very good on Sony cameras, you would have thought they have 'discovered' manual white balance by now. Mabye Sony see their competition as Kodak rather than Canon?

The S2 certainly seems like an awsome camera.

[Balrog]

The H1 does have a 'manual focus' arrangement, however it is by way of 5 pre-set focus distances similar to other Sony cameras. Personally I find this better than the sliding (and usually unmarked) scales on most digicams that have manual focus.


Yeah, that's what I meant by no 'proper' manual focus .. five preset distances? what am I supposed to do with that? fully adjustable MF is far more useful, and Canon's MF scale actually does show you the focus distance.
Preset distances would necessitate physically adjusting the distance from the camera to the object rather than just changing the focus distance - might be ok for casual handheld shots, but otherwise it would mess up framing .. and it'd be a nightmare on a tripod...