Auto Mode (7.5)
One of the primary benefits of the Canon PowerShot S2 IS, as with the majority of the ultra zoom models currently offered, is the incremental range of control available to users. Users who do not wish to utilize the camera’s manual modes can switch down to full Auto or Program Auto modes and hand the exposure responsibilities off to the camera. In full Auto mode, users set the image size and quality settings for still or video recordings, and the camera will handle the rest. ISO, shutter speed, aperture, white balance, and metering are all taken care of by the camera, enabling the user to just point and shoot.
For the second-tier automatic enthusiasts who don’t want their hands fully tied with adjusting the exposure, there is a Program Auto mode available on the S2 IS as well. The Program Auto mode functions similarly to Auto mode, but the settings are not locked. The camera will still calculate shutter speed and aperture settings to provide an even exposure; however, when users wish to exert some degree of control over the image, the options are available.
In Program Auto mode, users will gain control of exposure compensation, white balance, ISO rating, bracketing options, flash exposure compensation / sync alternatives, digital effects, continuous shooting, metering mode, manual focus, intervalometer (timed, incremental exposures or time lapse shots), AF placement, AE / FE / AF lock, and program shift settings. This is a substantial degree of control provided without assuming full responsibility; the camera will still select the shutter speed and aperture settings for a proper exposure – metered for mid tones. You can’t control blurring or planes of depth without going into full Manual or a priority mode, but the illumination in your image will be sufficient; however, users should bear in mind that the S2 IS, like most digital cameras, is fitted with a reflective internal meter, which is designed to meter for middle gray tones.
Both Auto and Program Auto modes are placed on the large Mode dial near the shutter releases (and video rec. button) on the top of the camera, so users can locate the modes easily and switch quickly if necessary.
Movie Mode (8.5)
Like the other current leading ultra zoom digital camera manufacturers, Sony and Panasonic, Canon is also a major camcorder manufacturer. It appears that some of their video know-how has finally seeped down a bit into the design of a consumer-grade camera, the Canon S2 IS; its seemingly hybrid setup is one of this model’s major draws. The movie mode allows users to record video at a frame rate of 30 fps at a maximum resolution of 640 x 480. Even if shooting a still image, it is possible to activate video recording because of the split record control setup on the S2; however if a user captures a still during video shooting with the movie snap feature, the video clip will stutter when the frame reaches the point of the still image capture and the shutter sound will be recorded onto the soundtrack. Even so, the option is there. And unlike the Sony H1 and the Panasonic FZ5, the S2 gives users the rare gift of zooming in movie mode.
Unfortunately, zooming has unwanted sound effects: the camera has a stereo microphone, positioned with the left and right channels on either side of the lens barrel, and these microphones picked up the audible “Ultra Sonic” lens motor. It’s ironic that the attractive bonus of zooming in movie mode is rendered useless by the attractive bonus of stereo microphones! And since these microphones inevitably record in a high frequency range, they’re sure to capture every audible camera movement, too. At least users can add a wind cut filter and control audio recording levels manually – a true edge over the competition.
Movie clips may, to a certain extent, be edited while still in-camera. It is possible to crop the beginnings and ends of movie clips, although it is not possible to edit further unless footage is transferred to another editing device. Besides, those who view this camera as a true hybrid imager will opt for postproduction editing using Avid or Final Cut Pro—right?
Drive / Burst Mode (6.0)
On the front of the camera, pitched near the shutter release, is a small continuous shooting button. Users can cycle though the camera’s burst and continuous shooting modes to find the desired setting for the shot. The button is practically placed and makes it easy to render changes without taking your eye off the screen. Although the addition of the DIGIC II image processor improved upon the S1’s burst speed of 1.7 fps, the S2’s speed still fell short of several cameras currently on the market. While it can shoot 30 percent faster at 2.4 frames per second in High Speed Continuous burst, in Normal the S2 only shoots 1.5 frames per second—slower than the S1! By contrast, the Panasonic Lumix FZ5 is capable of shooting at a rate of 3 fps for four frames at its fine setting, or seven frames at its standard setting. The S2 IS did manage to perform well when compared to the Sony H1. The H1 is only able to shoot at 1.3 fps for 9 consecutive images.
Playback Mode (7.5)
To switch into playback mode, the user must turn the settings ring. This ring isn’t exactly the most obvious mode adjustment device at first but over time the inconvenience wears off. Once in playback mode, it is possible to view images singly or as 9 thumbnails viewed simultaneously, by toggling back and forth with the S2’s zoom toggle. When viewing images in the nine-image format, the user can either scroll through pages sequentially or utilize the Jump feature, which enables users to skip through 10 or 100 images at one time. The zoom toggle may also be used to magnify single images up to 10x their original size. Magnified images may be navigated with the use of the four-way controller to check focus and detail across the composition.
Movies may be played back at both the original recorded speed or in a slow motion frame-by-frame setup. It is also possible to edit them slightly in-camera; the beginnings and ends of clips can be deleted. The camera can capture stereo audio recording using the dual microphones positioned on the front of the camera body, but when listening to audio in-camera during playback, the audio will have to run through a mono speaker.
Custom Image Presets (7.5)
Canon offers users of the S2 a handful of preset settings to help point-and-shoot users make instantaneous adjustments for specified shooting conditions or conventional scenarios. There are 10 preset options in total available on the PowerShot S2, grouped in two separate locations. Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, and Stitch Assist options are graphically represented on the mode dial on top of the camera, while Indoor, Night Snapshot, Foliage, Snow, Beach, and Fireworks modes are also available, but are placed under the “SCN” or Special Scene Mode subdirectory. While this is not quite as full of a selection as many other compact cameras are currently providing (some exceed 20 preset modes), the S2 IS also includes a “My Colors” heading that enables users to adjust color parameters on both still and video recordings. The My Colors menu is accessible by using the mode dial and offers 9 digital color effects.
