Forgive my honesty, and it is sincere, but I think some of the comments in this and similar threads are riduculous! What, are we all Ansel Adams here?

People are criticizing the S2 (it could be any camera, really, I've seen similar comments about FZ series cameras, Nikon cameras, etc.) and the camera has only been out about three weeks. You make statements about it based on photos posted by others like me, who are not yet familiar with the camera. You have no idea what level of experience most of us have, if we're using the right settings, if a person is locking focus and exposure correctly, if they have continuous auto focus on or off, etc., etc.

I've seen professional, respected reviews state something to the effect that the image quality of this or that camera is average, then read forum participants tout the same darn camera as better than another one. I've seen comments by engineers and mathemticians who just "know" this camera is better than that. Heck, when it comes to photography, I'll take the word of an artist first, who uses his or her technical knowledge to produce stunning, beautifully composed images; who takes some time to post process, and who doesn't hperventilate just because there is a tiny blown out area, or a little noise, here and there. I am drawn into a photo for the story it tells, not because it is necessarily perfect technically.

If we all want perceived near-perfection, we should be using a dSLR.

As to image quality of the S2, it's fine for most of us non-pros. Sure I read that the G6 and Pro1 take somewhat better images, but they don't have the features I want. And when I look at samples a dpreview, I can rarely discern which is 'better" than the other.

There are some image qaulity quirks with each compact digital camera. If there were the perfect camera, we'd all own it, right?! But bottom line, imho, almost all but the cheapest digital cameras take very fine photos. The more complex a camera is, the higher the learning curve (and certainly more than three weeks!)

I could care less if you like the S2 or not, or are of the opinion it's not as good at the one you already have or are planning to get. I like it, I have lots to learn about using it and I would like to share with others who have decided to buy the S2. It's a very capable camera, so those of us who own it, forget thinking you have to defend it. Enjoy it instead!

btw, my dad was a professional photographer. He took stunning photos with cameras, lenses and equipment that we'd probably laugh at today.But the quality of dad's photos is something I can only dream about, even if I had a dslr! Oh, and dad spent hours in the darkroom developing photos: cropping, dodging, burning, using different chemicals and paper...so phooy to those who knock post processing or are horrified that an image right out of a digicam may need a little sharpening.

Thanks for letting me vent. I want to learn how to use the S2 better as i've already said, but I just keep stumbling into these types of threads, either in whole or part.
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gail ~ http://www.pbase.com/gailb
My digital camera BLOGs: Canon S2 IS & A510, Panasonic FZ3, Nikon 5400
http://www.digicamhelp.com/digital-camera-blogs/index.htm