Unlike the ever-increasing megapixel count in consumer point and shoot cameras, the newest 12X optical mega zoom cameras actually bring something useful to the table. The Canon Powershot S2-IS, Konica-Minolta DiMAGE Z5, Panasonic DMC-FZ5, and Sony DSC-H1 in this comparison test all come in at $500 or less, and each packs advanced image stabilizing wizardry to allow you to get clean shots at distances never before possible without a tripod and a massive (and massively expensive) telephoto lens. Which one of them deserves your money? Read on to find out.
Canon’s replacement for their 3.2 megapixel Powershot S1-IS is the new 5.0 megapixel S2-IS. Though it looks almost identical to the old model, the S2-IS is slightly bigger, slightly heavier, and has a bigger LCD, up from a microscopic 1.5” to a small 1.8” with 115,000 pixels. It also features their latest Digic II image processor.
Considering the Canon is the most expensive camera in the test at $500, the meager included accessories are somewhat of an insult. While the tiny, useless 16MB memory card is still standard issue with pretty much all digital cameras, Canon really skimped on the batteries. Not even rechargeable NiMH batteries are included, let alone a Li-ion cell. Canon provides just standard AA alkalines, good for maybe 100 shots with minimal use of the LCD. Amusingly, the batteries are made by rival Panasonic, while the $370 Panasonic DMC-FZ5 comes with a Li-ion battery and charger.
