Front (7.5)
On the front of the Canon PowerShot S2 IS, the Canon 12x optical zoom lens barrel sits in an extended position right of center. Although the lens does not retract fully, it will retract partially into the camera body when it is turned off. To the top left and right of the lens barrel are the stereo microphones which record through two physically autonomous mono microphones. This division is interesting. Although stereo microphones are always comprised of two audio elements to attain stereo effect, they are not always separated at such a distance. This distance, and the slightly differing audio signals that could be picked up from each microphone, could potentially enhance the subtlety of recorded audio.
Slightly above the lens barrel to the left is the small red-eye reduction/self-timer/tally lamp. Slightly above and to the right of the lens barrel is the AF-assist beam. Below the AF-assist beam, to the direct right of the lens barrel, is the Manual Focus button and the Macro button. These buttons are clearly labeled and stand out slightly above the surface of the barrel for easy engagement. On the opposite side of the lens barrel, near the bottom of the camera body, is the ring release. This allows users to switch between the included lens and accessory wide angle, telephoto, and macro options.
The grip on the left side of the camera will provide the right hand with a comfortable and sizable surface to hold on to. Although the rest of the camera body is a smooth two-tone silver finish, the right-hand grip uses a darker gray rubber pad, textured to increase stability and control.
Back (7.5)
The left edge of the back of the S2 IS serves as an axis for the flip-out LCD screen. The 1.8-inch, 115,000 pixel LCD screen can be maneuvered a full 180 degrees, left to right, when opened. It can also be swiveled forward 180 degrees or downwards 90 degrees. The screen can also be rotated around its hinge to face into the camera body before the user snaps it shut, immediately turning it off. This position is useful for protecting the LCD, helping to preserve the face of the screen when not in use.
The electronic color viewfinder is situated above the LCD screen and is encircled by a light gray eye pad. Like the LCD, the viewfinder covers 100% of the field of view. To the left of the 0.33-inch 115,000 pixel viewfinder is the diopter adjustment dial, which allows users to adjust the viewfinder focus. To the right of the viewfinder is the movie record button, autonomous from the still image shutter release. Unfortunately, this button is not labeled, but it does have a prominent red dot which will hopefully indicate its function to those familiar with camcorder interfaces.
Beneath the movie record button is the Function control for the Canon PowerShot S2 IS. The function button prompts a display of icons on the LCD which represent control over various manual settings; the function button also has a secondary control which allows users to discard unwanted images in playback mode. Below and to the right of the LCD screen is the camera’s metering/jump button. The jump portion of this control is used in playback, helping users navigate through large sequences of prerecorded images; it permits the user to jump 10 images or 100 images, jump by date, or jump to movie. This is a useful feature for those who intend to use large cards (256MB).
Beneath the jump/metering button is the Shortcut/Print/Share button. The shortcut button can be set to provide access to a frequently-altered control. The print/share button allows the user to print or share previously captured video and still images, and lights up, flashes, or goes dark depending on printing status.
Beneath all of these buttons at the bottom of the camera is the Display button for both regular shooting mode and playback mode.
Moving back to the top of the camera body, situated slightly above and to the right of the Function button is a series of twelve raised bumps for a right-hand thumb grip. To the right of these raised grips is a relatively small four-way control, toned in a somewhat darker metallic silver. Unfortunately this control is formed of a single piece of plastic, which creates the potential for accidental navigation errors.
Beneath the four-way control is the Set/AF Frame selector button. Slightly below and to the right is the Menu button which provides access to the Rec./Play/Set up/My Camera menus. Once within these menus users are able to navigate settings and options using the four-way controller.
Left Side (7.5)
The left side of the PowerShot S2 IS contains a solid neck strap mount, positioned at the top of the left side. This neck strap mount is large enough to allow for easy use and threading. Below the neck strap mount is the playback speaker for previously recorded audio. Slightly behind and below the neck strap mount is the Audio/Video out terminal, situated underneath a port cover.
Right Side (7.0)
The Canon PowerShot S2 IS does have a few features on the otherwise smooth right side. The neck strap mount for the right side of the camera body is positioned between the top and right edge of the camera. Beneath this feature is a port cover which sits flush with surface of the right side. This port cover conceals two terminals, a DC in terminal and a digital terminal for either PC or printer, when connected via a USB cable. Below these two ports and concealed by another flimsy plastic cover is the memory card slot.
Top (7.5)
On the top of the camera body is a flash/microphone button. Don’t let this label fool you: this button will not release the closed pop-up flash. Instead it cycles through flash settings when the camera is in recording mode. When in playback/review mode the button serves its other function and provides the means to record audio clips up to 60 seconds in duration to accompany recorded images. It is also possible to record stand-alone audio clips that may last up to two hours, depending on available memory and previously established audio parameters.
To the right of this button is the camera’s flash. While the in-camera flash is a pop-up unit, it will not rise automatically and must be manually engaged. This design may be frustrating during certain shooting situations, or just frustrating, period to those upgrading from point-and-shoot models. The flash is positioned directly above the lens barrel of the camera and should provide even flash coverage without heavy weighting of shadows to either side. To the right of the flash is the shooting mode dial. The mode dial protrudes slightly, with its edge facing the back of the camera, a helpful arrangement in regards to accessibility and control.
To the right of the mode dial are two control features, one inside the other. Positioned in the center is the off button for the camera. Interestingly, this off button does not turn the camera on. For the camera to be turned on, the user will need to move to the second feature located on a ring that surrounds the off button. This settings ring allows the user to move between power on, record, and playback modes via the mode lever positioned on the ring. This feature is a bit frustrating, although users will surely adapt to it over time.
Moving up the right side of the camera body and out onto the top of the right-hand grip, users will find the drive button, controlling the self-timer mode and continuous shooting options. At the front of the right-hand grip and positioned on a slanted plane is the shutter release button, which is nestled in the center of the zoom lever. The lever is in the shape of a ring, with a small tab that moves left and right.
