The Canon PowerShot S2 IS looks quite similar to the older model stylistically, but features an all-new body design which is about a half-inch thicker and an ounce heavier. The size and weight increases accommodate a more powerful 12x optically stabilised zoom lens (equivalent to 36 - 432mm on a 35mm camera), as well as a larger 1.8" LCD display. Other new features include a five megapixel imager, Secure Digital card storage, AF assist lamp, stereo microphone, USB 2.0 high-speed connectivity, fastest shutter speed of 1/3200 second, increased flash range, and My Colors mode.

Pricing and availability for the new model, which has also been announced in Europe, have not yet been disclosed. At this time, we have no information on plans for this model outside Japan and Europe. Four sample images and a sample movie shot with the new model can be found on the Canon Japan website.

Canon PowerShot S2 IS
General
Camera Type	Mid-Sized
Manufacturer	Canon
Model Number	S2 IS
Dimensions	4.4 x 3.1 x 3.0" 113.0 x 78.0 x 75.5mm
Weight	405.0 g 14.2 oz
Image Capture
Sensor Type	1/2.5" CCD 5.30 megapixels (total) 5.00 megapixels (effective)
Aspect Ratio	4:3
Image Dimensions	2592 x 1944 (5.0 megapixels) 2048 x 1536 (3.1 megapixels) 1600 x 1200 (1.9 megapixels) 640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
Image Quality	3 levels
Image Preview / Review
Viewfinder	Yes, Color LCD 100% field of view
LCD	1.8", 115,000 pixels
Playback Zoom	10.0x max
Lens
Lens Type	Canon Zoom Lens 12x optical zoom 58mm lens thread, Body threads w/ adapter
Image Stabilization	Yes
Focal Length	6.0 - 72.0mm (actual) 36 - 432mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Range	f/2.7 (wide) / f/3.5 (tele) - ???
Focusing System	TTL with AF assist lamp Manual Focus possible (0) steps
Focusing Range	Normal: 20" - infinity (50 cm - infinity)
Exposure
ISO Sensitivity	Auto, 50, 100, 200, 400
Shutter Speed	15 - 1/3200 second
Exposure Modes	Program, Aperture-priority, Shutter-priority, Manual
Metering Modes	Evaluative/ Center-weighted average/ Spot
Exposure Compensation	+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
White Balance	Image Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom
Internal Flash	Modes: Auto, On, Off (red-eye reduction available) Range: 0.7 - 5.2 m (2.3 - 17.1 ft.) (W), 0.7 - 4.0 m (2.3 - 13.1 ft.) (T)
Flash Exposure Compensation	+/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV increments
Creative
Scene Modes	Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Indoor, Night Snapshot, My Colors, Stitch Assist, Movie
Digital Zoom	4.0x
Self Timer	Yes, 2 or 10 seconds
Movie Format	AVI (MotionJPEG / Stereo WAV) with audio 640x480 and 320x240 Max. frame-rate: 0 frames per second
Storage
Recording Medium	SD/MMC
File System	Complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File Format	JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
Connectivity
Video	Yes, NTSC / PAL switchable
Computer	USB 2.0 High Speed
Other	DC In
Power
Battery Type	Alkaline disposable or NiMH rechargeable
Battery Form Factor	4 x AA
Product Bundle
Battery / Charger	4 x AA alkaline disposable battery
Flash Memory	Unknown
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant	Yes
PictBridge Compliant	Yes
Internal Microphone	Yes
Tripod Mount	Yes
Operating System Compatibility	Windows / Mac