Canon Powershot S2

Like its immediate predecessor, the Canon PowerShot S1, the S2 empowers both semi pros and amateurs alike with great zooming action, a suite of intuitive manual controls, and fast DIGIC II processing. With a bigger LCD screen (.3 inches bigger than the one that the S1 has), a stronger zoom (12 times as opposed to 10 times), and a more robust CMOS sensor (five megapixels as opposed to 3.2 megapixels), the S2 is a great catch for "burst" photographers.

To supplement your camera's capacity, you may want to go out and buy extra storage--at least one GB is recommended--as well as rechargeable metal hydride batteries. Vastly superior to the Canon G1, the PowerShot S2 offers a wonderfully simple interface. You won't accidentally erase past footage or interrupt the flow of your shooting by suddenly turning your viewscreen sepia-toned, for instance.

Movie quality images, fast connection speeds, and state-of-the-art image stabilization define the action of the Canon PowerShot S2. Of course, the camera's less-than-ergonomic grip may hurt your hand and wrists if you're holding the camera for more than 10 minutes at a time. The unit also weighs more than your standard camcorder (just slightly). All of that being said, as with other Canon photographic equipment buoyed by the DIGIC II processor engines, this unit flips on and starts snapping really quickly.

Thus, if you're shooting a sporting event, a wedding, or an action-packed home movie scene, you don't have to worry about missing takes. The S2 should be able to catch anything your eye can--and more. At only $200 more than the Canon PowerShot A95, which also boasts 30 frames per second moviemaking capacities, the S2 is not too inexpensive, especially considering its capabilities at fast speeds.