Canon S200 or Canon S230? [Decided on S200- Thanks!]
After my debacle with Amazon.com over their unscrupulous shipping date practices, I have some money left over for what I would have spent on JBL Creatures. So the question comes up: 1) spend it on something that would extend the functionality of something I already have (built in computer speakers) or 2) spend it on something that would extend the functionality of my computer. Hmm. Well those speakers are damn cool, but I think the latter is a better choice.
So I was searching online and found that I love the style and size of the Canon "ELPH" cameras. Specifically, the S200 and the S230 caught my eye. But I can't seem to decide! The two big differences between these cameras are megapixels and price. The S200 at 2 MP can go as low as $274 from Amazon.com and is pretty much available everywhere. The S230 at 3 MP can be found for about $400 and is not quite in stock everywhere.
So for about $126 more and some time for it to get back in stock, I could have a 3 MP digital camera. It's basically a question between 2 and 3 MPs.
Is it worth it?
EDIT: Keep in mind, I could buy a bigger memory card and extend the functionality of the S200 even MORE, all while keeping it under the S230's price.
[ 01-26-2003: Message edited by: ShawnPatrickJoyce ]
[ 01-26-2003: Message edited by: ShawnPatrickJoyce ]
[ 01-30-2003: Message edited by: ShawnPatrickJoyce ]</p>
So I was searching online and found that I love the style and size of the Canon "ELPH" cameras. Specifically, the S200 and the S230 caught my eye. But I can't seem to decide! The two big differences between these cameras are megapixels and price. The S200 at 2 MP can go as low as $274 from Amazon.com and is pretty much available everywhere. The S230 at 3 MP can be found for about $400 and is not quite in stock everywhere.
So for about $126 more and some time for it to get back in stock, I could have a 3 MP digital camera. It's basically a question between 2 and 3 MPs.
Is it worth it?
EDIT: Keep in mind, I could buy a bigger memory card and extend the functionality of the S200 even MORE, all while keeping it under the S230's price.
[ 01-26-2003: Message edited by: ShawnPatrickJoyce ]
[ 01-26-2003: Message edited by: ShawnPatrickJoyce ]
[ 01-30-2003: Message edited by: ShawnPatrickJoyce ]</p>
Comments
I have an s100 (2MP) and 4x6 prints come out well well, and according iphoto 5x7 should be fine as well and 8x10 will be almost as good (but will lose some quality apparrently)
If you consider yourself a prosumer then the 230 is the way to go, but if you don't intend to print anything bigger than 5x7 anytime soon the 200+ memory card, extra battery, etc is the better deal
personally if i could afford it i would go for the 3MP version because i often find myself cropping smaller portions of my pictures and the more pixels available the better the chance of the cropped images looking good
<a href="http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_s230-review/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_s230-review/index.html</a>
I use it as a second camera (my main is a Canon Pro90 IS), but I carry it everywhere. Very happy with it.
<a href="http://www.mysimon.com/isrch/index.jhtml?c=digitalcamera&pid=C1005199&InputMode l=S230&pgid=shop&InputPriceMin=10&_ttag=top3&key=U C_20030126_213318_0530013566&v=2&sort=Price&dir=i& pg=1&imgshow=" target="_blank">S230</a>
fück Amazon
[ 01-27-2003: Message edited by: Paul ]</p>
<strong>Think of it as a post hoc digital zoom.</strong><hr></blockquote>
That's an excellent point, JBL. My 2MP PowerShot A20 suits me just fine. But I have never cropped pictures before printing them. If I were more creative with my pictures, the additional 1MP would come in handy, even if I never printed larger than 5x7. Larger memory cards are getting cheaper by the day as well.
I'm still waiting for a $1000 DSLR with interchangeable lenses!
Escher
You and I, both. I bet something similar to the D-60 (which has been discontinued) will be available a year from now for that price.
The only negatives are red eye, and the zoom feature. If I am not mistaken the s200 has a better zoom. If I were you I would go for the higher MP, because I can see a big difference in my pictures when taken with a 4 vs. a 3 MP.
That S230 would be $360.
I bought a Powershot S40 from them last year and it's been a great camera.
[ 01-29-2003: Message edited by: ryukyu ]</p>
<strong>Right now Dell Home has 10% off digital cameras.
That S230 would be $360.
I bought a Powershot S40 from them last year and it's been a great camera.
[ 01-29-2003: Message edited by: ryukyu ]</strong><hr></blockquote>
BUT you have to wait 3+ weeks for it to ship! Granted, the shipping is FREE as well so Dell.com has by far the best deal. Is waiting 3+ weeks worth it???
<strong>
BUT you have to wait 3+ weeks for it to ship! Granted, the shipping is FREE as well so Dell.com has by far the best deal. Is waiting 3+ weeks worth it???</strong><hr></blockquote>
Well, only you can answer that question.
One thing to be aware of though. A lot of online dealers sell gray market cameras. That is, they don't include a USA warranty. If it's not stated, be sure to ask if it's a retail package with the USA warranty. Usually, if they have a really low price, chances are good that it's a gray market camera.
That's not a concern with Dell, but some of the New York places do this.
Right now, you can get the S200 (plus 128mb memory) for $250 shipped from Officemax. Go to <a href="http://www.spoofee.com" target="_blank">www.spoofee.com</a> and scroll down until you see the deals for 1/27/03.
That's the best price I've ever seen for this camera.
I have the S200 and love it - I don't think I'd need great resolution.
Jason
EDIT: JUST bought the Canon Powershot s200 at Office Max for only 250 bucks (including a 128mb memory card)! WOW! I can't wait until Friday when it will arrive. Thanks for all your contributions, especially jmclarke for his tide-turning post.
[ 01-29-2003: Message edited by: ShawnPatrickJoyce ]</p>
<strong>Oh man... jmclark, thank you. I think we have a winner. I don't think $150 extra and 3+ weeks is worth it for the s230. $250 for the s200 is something too sweet to pass up!
EDIT: JUST bought the Canon Powershot s200 at Office Max for only 250 bucks (including a 128mb memory card)! WOW! I can't wait until Friday when it will arrive. Thanks for all your contributions, especially jmclarke for his tide-turning post.
[ 01-29-2003: Message edited by: ShawnPatrickJoyce ]</strong><hr></blockquote>
Wow - never knew I could elicit such praise! Anyway, no problem. I love that little camera, and I, too, couldn't spend an extra 150 just for another megapixel resolution.
Sorry to hear about the delay. That really is lame. I hope you stick with the s200, though.
Jason