It’s a pretty decent 5MP camera, fairly small and compact. It has image stabilization built into it which allows for some amount of jiggling and jostling. You can find out more than you want to know about it at Cannon’s Powershot S2 IS Website
I just purchased a 10 mega pixel Nikon D80 DSLR because the shots that I took on the recent Sierra Nevada trip were somewhat disappointing at least as far as the majestic landscapes of the Sierra Nevada’s were concerned. The Nikon has a 18MM-135MM lens which in DSLR terms equates to a 27MM-200MM lens. That is pretty impressive for day to day photography. I’m still getting used to it for right now but, it looks like it will last a number of years. You can find out more than you want to know at the Nikon D80 web page
As for getting out to these sites, I use my stock Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 4WD. Sure it isn’t a jeep and it doesn’t winch itself up vertical walls but it gets me where I’m going and it has never failed me. All in all it has been exceptionally reliable and like any good tool would probably be better in the hands of a more capable driver. But, I like my paint and and have no desire to start shedding panels and etc so anything extreme will just have to wait or be within hiking distance.