im thinking about getting this camera???

Understand that the 350D and the S2 are fundamentally two totally different cameras.

A 350D is a digital SLR. Digital SLRs are generally too large to be conveniently stuck in a pocket, they do not have the ability to record videos, they require different lenses for different applications, for example wide angle, lots of zoom, macro, etc. Good lenses are expensive, one lens can cost as much as, or considerably more than, a regular digital camera like an S2.

Digital SLRs are good when you have an intermediate to advanced knowledge of photography and are interested in pursuing it as a serious hobby, or even part time craft.

An S2 is a fixed-lens digital camera with a 12X zoom (36-432mm equivalent) and excellent macro capabilities. By comparison, the stock lens that comes with the 350D is equivalent to approximately 28-88mm. To cover the same focal length range and macro capability with a 350D you will probably need to pay close to $2000 for 2 or 3 different lenses (in addition to the stock lens). Then you'll need to lug these lenses around all the time.

If your interest in photography is along the lines of taking photos of friends and family at casual events I would recommend the S2. It is more convenient and more appropriate for this type of photography.

If, however, you are seriously interested in furthering yourself in photography then perhaps consider the 350D. From your question though, I would hazard a guess that this is not the case.

For the record, my gf had an S2 in the past. I have a 30D and a 300D (predecessor to the 350D). Photography is something I do professionally. For casual outings I would probably prefer grabbing an S2 than lugging around a 10lb bag of lenses and equipment.

Whichever camera you do end up with, though, I'm sure you will enjoy it. They're both excellent and I would wholly endorse either, for their appropriate uses.

[edited] For what it's worth, when it comes to printing, the difference between 5MP and 8MP isn't that large. I have made prints as large as 16x20 with an S2 and the quality is more than acceptable.

These two Canon cameras are vastly different.

The EOS 350D is a digital SLR and the S2 is a 'prosumer' digital camera.

The 350D performs better (operates quicker, has better photo quality, better functions, etc etc). That's why professionals and enthusiasts will always choose digital SLR.

However, it is physically larger in size...and also needs different lenses for the focal lengths that you need. Which can be very costly...and it's not the sort of camera a complete novice in photography would choose.

The S2 does have the advantage of a 12X optical zoom and image stabilization...but it only has 5MP as opposed to the 350D's 8MP.

The S2 has manual controls though, which is good because it allows you to make adjustments if you want to (with aperture & shutter speed etc). And it also has an excellent 'movie' mode.

And now, both these cameras have been updated to the 400D (10MP) and the S3 IS (6MP)...plus other enhancements.

So, if you want to be able to shoot 'movies' as well as take photos, and are fairly new to how a digital camera works etc...then the S2 would be your best best (however, the S3 should not be much dearer, so I would choose that).

Above answers are totally correct about the difference between the SLR and P&S.

My daughter has the S2 IS and LOVES it. That's all I can say. It does it all for her needs and it's smaller and lighter than a 350D. Personally, I would choose the SLR, but I'm not usually just a casual shooter.

I have the S2 IS and I love it. The integral 12x optical zoom is very nice. No need to carry a range of extra lenses around. The supermacro mode is nice, you can get great close up shots. The 5.0 megapixel photos are great quality. Some of the modes on the camera are really fun to play with (sepia, color highlighting).

After doing a number of interpreting and study. I were given a moderatly priced Sony "Alpha" DSLR. large for images and getting a number of those perplexing angled images. The liquid crystal exhibit exhibit screen come out of the back of the digital camera and tilts ninety ranges up and down.. large for those on the floor or above the team images. large high quality, cost, speed, and functionality

CANON EOS 350D. IT TAKES THE BEST AND MOST QUALITY PICS, AND YOU SHOULD ALSO GET A PRINTER DOC! ITS A SMALL PORTABLE PRINTER THAT PRINTS YOUR PIC IN UNDER30 SECONDS ! ITS THE BEST TO HAVE !!! aND THEY LOOK great!!!!!!

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