Canon IS S2 or S3

[RichKirby]

Anyone using one of these Canon cameras for u/w photography? I really like the look of these units and especially the zoom on them. I currently have a Sealife DC500, but I'm not completely enamored with it. I definitely want better than a 3x optical zoom if I purchase a new camera. I guess the biggest question is whether they make a housing for either of them.

 

[Soggy]

The only housing available is from Ikelite and is $750. I have an S2, but I'm not going to get a housing for it since I can get an A610 *and* housing for less than the cost of the S2 housing itself.

 

[RichKirby]

I see your point. The A610 only has a 4x zoom though. My current SeaLife DC500 is a 5 Megapixel, 3x zoom. I don't think I would make the move to an A610 from what I already own. Maybe a DSLR would be better.

 

[havnmonkey]

Zoom is not so important underwater, but topside the S3 Is would be nice, I looked at it but chose the G6 w/ some add on lenses for topside.

Only problem I see with the S3 Is would be lack of a Canon housing yet, Ikelite is great but a bargain cam w/ an expensive housing is too much.

 

[RichKirby]

Does anyone think/know if Canon plans to make a housing for the S2 or S3? I see they made one for the S1.

 

[RichKirby]

I got this response from Canon about a housing for the S3:


Thank you for your inquiry regarding an underwater housing for the S3 IS
camera. We value you as a Canon customer and appreciate the opportunity
to assist you.

At this moment there is no information available regarding a new product
announcement in this category. Please keep in mind however, that Canon
continuously reviews its product lineup and as new products are
introduced, existing models are often taken out of production. We
recommend you check our website from time to time to learn of new
announcements.

We hope this information is helpful to you. Please feel free to contact
us again if you have any other questions or concerns regarding your S3
IS camera.

Thank you for choosing Canon.

 

[RonFrank]

Big zooms UW are not all that useful. IMO the 36mm limit is more of an issue than not having a big zoom.

Canon does not currently make a housing for either camera, and Canon generally announces housing with the release of a new model, or not at all.

You already have a Sealife UW, getting another PnS model UW IMO is not going to thrill you as the quality is just not going to be that much better. Adding a strobe to an UW setup is likley the biggest impact you can make, but maybe you already have a strobe?

I'd evaluate what you dislike about the Sealife, and go from there. I'm not sure spending $1250 on a new PnS camera/housing option is going to give you the bang for the buck you want. You'd be better off looking at a DSLR like the D50 with an Ike housing that would run you a bit more, but would provide a LOT more in the way of system expansion and overall quality, and versitility.

 

[Soggy]

Yeah, that's what they told me, verbatim, about the S2

I got this response from Canon about a housing for the S3:


Thank you for your inquiry regarding an underwater housing for the S3 IS
camera. We value you as a Canon customer and appreciate the opportunity
to assist you.

At this moment there is no information available regarding a new product
announcement in this category. Please keep in mind however, that Canon
continuously reviews its product lineup and as new products are
introduced, existing models are often taken out of production. We
recommend you check our website from time to time to learn of new
announcements.

We hope this information is helpful to you. Please feel free to contact
us again if you have any other questions or concerns regarding your S3
IS camera.

Thank you for choosing Canon.