Help! Canon PowerShot A510 or PowerShot S1 IS?

[Namaste]

Brooke...you've really done your homework! I can only speak for the S1, but had wonderful shots from it from a week in Palau. Because you'll take each shot with a flash, and therefore relatively fast shutter speed, the stabilizer is of little value. It is really useful when you are "pulling in" a far-away subject, handheld, with little light. For that matter the optical zoom is of little value underwater. Unless you use the camera as much above water as under (or more), the 510 might be more useful. The weight difference to me is immaterial unless you plan to go trekking around Europe carrying the camera. The S1, as you say, does not have the underwater shooting mode, and I anticipated that being a factor, but it wasn't...the results were fine to me. I am sold on Canon's software and support mechanism to help address questions or problems. They've ALWAYS answered my emailed questions within minutes. Customer Service to me is important as the salespeople generally know very little about the products they're selling, sad to say.

In summary, I am VERY satisfied with the S1 for u/w, but the argument for the 510 is intellectually better. There, confused? Hope I didn't make things worse for you. Good luck.

Thank you so much for the email. I'm the one getting myself confused ... I have thrown in another camera to the mix to make this even more complicated. Instead of the A510 ... I am now looking at the Canon Powershot A95, which is 5MP and like the S1 - has the swivel screen. So now - I'm trying to decide between the Canon Powershot *A95* or the PowerShot S1 IS....

see this link: http://tinyurl.com/adn4o

Any thoughts? What are folks experiences with Canon refurbished cameras? Do they carry full warrenty?

I'm just making this ~way too hard on myself, I can tell. I promise to stop at the PowerShot S1 IS and *not* start looking at the S2 IS, which there isn't a housing for yet anyway that I have found, besides - that's pushing my budget - still need to get the WP-DC_?_ for what ever camera I finally DO buy...

Anyway - I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to reply to my posts, I'm a novice and all of these replies have been very appreciated. I can't thank y'all enough.

Side note: I found this page http://www.adorama.com and they seem to have pretty good deals on underwater equipment ... does anyone know of a site that is even beter (in the States that is)?


Thanks,
Brooke [insert smily for 'confused' here ]

 

[Shoreliner11]

I know this post is old but I had a couple questions. I'm finally buying an underwater housing for my S1 IS. At the moment I don't have enough money to go out and by an arm extension, strobe, and macro lens which I hope to do some day. Can I use weights attached to the bottom to help control the bouyancy issue for the time being? If so, a link would be great.

Good on ya
Aaron

 

[Jamdiver]

Shoreliner11, I have a Canon A610 with a Canon housing.
Whilst it is a different camera and housing, I imagine that it too is also slightly positively buoyant.

Honestly the buoyancy isn't that big of an issue for me, when tied to my wrist via the wrist lanyard it just floats slightly above my arm.
I think it's a non-issue and believe that the underwater weights are un-necessary.
However if you think you really do need it, check out Canons' website and look at the accessories offered for that camera.

You should find the underwater weights there..

 

[Shoreliner11]

Thanks for the reply. I guess I'll just try it out first without the weights and see how it goes.

Good on ya
Aaron

 

[hamilton]

I'd second that. I've done several dives with the S1, and I find having camera floating above me (when I'm not holding onto it) is more convenient than having it dangling down....
oh, and if you're just starting out, you don't _need_ a strobe/arm etc. You'll have enough to worry about with just pointing/composing and focussing, without worrying about strobe settings and directions, not getting the arms caught in stuff, etc....
enjoy!

 

[Shoreliner11]

Well I just received my underwater housing. I'm going to try it out at Wheeler Reef on the outer GBR this weekend. I'll post pics if any turnout.
Thanks again for all the info.

Good on ya
Aaron

 

[NitroxCrazy]

Hi all

After all this discussion, I would be surprise if you still could get your hands on a S1 at the shop. I have noticed most shops are now carrying the S2 and possible the S3 is coming out soon (from what I understand). The underwater casing for S1 is not appropriate for the S2. If you could get your hands on a S1, Sprain has rightfully put it, it is a good cam!

 

[NitroxCrazy]

The underwater casing for S1 is not appropriate for the S2. QUOTE]

Sorry...having gone through a previous thread, there is a S2 casing by Ikelite.

 

[Shoreliner11]

Just used my housing for my S1 IS for the first time at Weeler Reef today. Give my gallery a look at let me know what you think. I took some 150 odd shots and these were some of the better ones. I think I'll be getting a strobe before too long. The flash blocking got a bit annoying but the shots in shallow water turned out great IMO for the first time using an underwater housing.

 

[onsse]

Shoreliner.... nice pics! please continue to post your pics..

I'm also in the same situation.. I just got an S1 IS and shopping around for the housing. Let me know what kind of strobe you got and if you plan on getting the macro.

thanks

~ons