Canon PowerShot S50 5MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom
By: Canon Average Rating: 4.5 Total Reviews: 115
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 On: 2007-09-23
Is this the best camera that Canon can give for more than $400? Like other Canon Powershot S50, mine broke after 3 years. It seems to be innevitible for this model. If you want something last longer than 3 years, go for other brands. No Canon anymore.
 On: 2007-05-18
I love this camera. Ive had it for 8 years and it takes the best shots. I get compliments all the time on my shots and I know nothing about photography, just that I like great shots of faces. Ive gotten better shots of ym family with this camera then I get at professional photography places.
The camera does it all. We have tons of videos of our daughters first moments from this camera even though we have a camcorder because its easier to snap quick pictures and movies with. And we post them on the internet really fast where our camcorder takes much more effort. Ive dropped this thing a million times and it sat in water once or twice. The frame is scarred and wounded from my gross mistreatment yet the thing still takes the best pictures ever. The quality of my pictures has never gone down. This was by far the best investment Ive ever made. Ive never been disappointed by this camera. I love it! The only thing I did was get a huge memory card so I could take more shots while on vacation.
 On: 2007-03-20
I see I am not the only one who had a problem with the lens cover. When you slide it one way, it turns the camera on and then you slide it back to turn it off. I bought this camera about 3 years ago and several months ago, when I closed the lens cover after snapping some pictures, I felt it go past the stop point it usually did. Then I noticed the lens cover had become loose. It is even looser now and the camera is still working but I have to be very careful with it. I am afraid it is only a matter of time before it stops working thanks to the loose lens cover. Local camera shops send out digital cameras to be repaired and Canon will not even look at it for less than $150 since it is out of warranty. I will eventually buy a new digital camera and then maybe I will take the chance of looking at this thing myself by taking it apart. It could be just some little thing that could be tightened up, but taking it apart could also ruin the camera for all I know.
On: 2007-03-19
I see I am not the only one who had a problem with the lens cover. When you slide it one way, it turns the camera on and then you slide it back to turn it off. I bought this camera about 3 years ago and several months ago, when I closed the lens cover after snapping some pictures, I felt it go past the stop point it usually did. Then I noticed the lens cover had become loose. It is even looser now and the camera is still working but I have to be very careful with it. I am afraid it is only a matter of time before it stops working thanks to the loose lens cover. Local camera shops send out digital cameras to be repaired and Canon will not even look at it for less than $150 since it is out of warranty. I will eventually buy a new digital camera and then maybe I will take the chance of looking at this thing myself by taking it apart. It could be just some little thing that could be tightened up, but taking it apart could also ruin the camera for all I know.
On: 2007-01-11
the powershot s50 will not turn on anymore sinse the siding lens cover wonnt work right and canon wants 139.00 to fix !!! Im never buying a canon camera agine!!!
On: 2007-01-10
the powershot s50 will not turn on anymore sinse the siding lens cover wonnt work right and canon wants 139.00 to fix !!! Im never buying a canon camera agine!!!
On: 2006-12-16
The S50 was my first foray into digital photography, and after reading reviews online, I bought one 2.5 years ago.
What I liked:
1.) Nonproprietary memory (uses CF cards). Newer Canons use SD cards mostly (I believe).
2.) Flexibility: sized slightly larger than a compact (and quite a bit heaver), but full functioned. I was coming from a 35mm SLR and wanted to have some control over my shots without shelling out a few thousand for a digital SLR (at that time).
3.) Good optics. Dont remember which review I read that tested the optical characteristics of the camera[...] but it was among the best of the time.
What I didnt like:
1.) Bulk: Its a bit heavy and too bulky for a pocket.
2.) Proprietary battery. Life is decent, however. I can usually get a full days shooting on one battery. I have a backup "just in case" that I have only had to use on really heavy shooting days (over 150 shots or so).
Its survived a number of trips with me around the world and I love the thing. It got me into digital photography and Im back in the market for another (probably) Canon compact for my wife. Eventually, Ill dive into a digital SLR....
5/5 to Canon!
On: 2006-11-24
i have taken this camera to czech republic, china, costa rica (humidity!) and many other places. i have screwed up and dropped it twice on concrete surfaces. it still works!! the picture quality is great for what i use it for and can make high resolution photos to be blown up to 8 by 11 prints (depending on where you get it done will determine final quality). the camera is a bit on the heavy side but it has so many options that you can control, it feels like its as close as you can get to a dslr without spending a ridiculous amount of money. i transition between this and my canon eos rebel slr when traveling and have no complaints with either one.
 On: 2006-09-19
My experience with this camera has been pleaserable for the most part. However, the lens cover is another story. The lens cover openning and shutting is the key to get the camera operating. After seveal years of use, something happened where the lens cover would no longer shut, making the camera in-operable. I sent it to Cannon for ~$150 service. After getting it back, it worked properly for a few months and then the same thing happened! Im now in the market for a new camera (I cant keep pouring $$ into this one!).
On: 2006-09-18
My experience with this camera has been pleaserable for the most part. However, the lens cover is another story. The lens cover openning and shutting is the key to get the camera operating. After seveal years of use, something happened where the lens cover would no longer shut, making the camera in-operable. I sent it to Cannon for ~$150 service. After getting it back, it worked properly for a few months and then the same thing happened! Im now in the market for a new camera (I cant keep pouring $$ into this one!).
On: 2006-04-25
I use a Canon film SLR but bought this digital camera for everyday use. The camera in itself is great, in both quality and flexibility. However, the battery never lasts for more than about 30 shots, it does not matter whether the display is on or off. True, it recharges relatively fast but my regular camara has batteries that last forever. I am thinking seriously of selling this one just because I am tired of seeing the dreadful red symbol.
On: 2005-11-28
I have not one complaint about this camera. This was my first digital camera. I have had it for 3 years now. It still works like brand new. I can take excellent quality pictures, quick download and even take great video that I have made all sorts of home videos using. I have never once had a problem with it and I use it almost 3-4 times a week taking several pictures or video at a time.
On: 2005-08-30
This was my second Canon Camera. I bought this one through Canon after my S45 died one month after warranty. They had me pay an additional $250 dollars after spending about $500 on the first one. Only three months after the warranty this camera too broke. I learned my lesson the first time and have switched to a SONY. Dont waste your money unless you want an unreliable camera. The pictures and features are nice, but not worth the pain, hassel and waste of money.
 On: 2005-08-05
Canon PowerShot S50 is a nice little digital camera with 5 megapixel and 3X optical zoom. It has a load of exposure features from fully automatic to fully manual. It takes high quality pictures in JPG or RAW format with normal, fine or superfine resolutions. The only drawback is the focusing being a little slow. It is also sluggish under low light conditions. The rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery doesnt last long (never got it to go longer than 100 shots under normal shooting conditions with the LCD screen on) but can be recharged within an hour. Overall, a nice little camera to have around.
On: 2005-08-04
Canon PowerShot S50 is a nice little digital camera with 5 megapixel and 3X optical zoom. It has a load of exposure features from fully automatic to fully manual. It takes high quality pictures in JPG or RAW format with normal, fine or superfine resolutions. The only drawback is the focusing being a little slow. It is also sluggish under low light conditions. The rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery doesnt last long (never got it to go longer than 100 shots under normal shooting conditions with the LCD screen on) but can be recharged within an hour. Overall, a nice little camera to have around.
On: 2005-06-25
Ive been using this camera for about a year and half and it works great. Picture quality is excellent. My only complaint is the size and weight. The screen could also be a little larger.
On: 2005-06-24
Ive been using this camera for about a year and half and it works great. Picture quality is excellent. My only complaint is the size and weight. The screen could also be a little larger.
On: 2005-05-22
Ive been using this camera for the past 2 years..no compliants at all..glad that I bought this.
clarity is good and print are good. I recommend this to all.
On: 2005-04-20
I adore this camera for the following reasons:
1. It has a DURABLE metal casing. I have dropped this camera numerous times on the concrete (including the first time I took it out of the package) and usually carry it jammed in my purse with my keys, mechanical pencils, you name it. Ive also taken pictures in the rain, which I dont recommend, but its held up so far! Mine is horribly scratched and dinged but absolutely no problems yet. I do recommend an LCD protector.
2. Sharp, clear pictures. Ive submitted pictures to galleries and miscellaneous publications; theyve never had problems with resolution as long as it hasnt been much over 8x10 (but its advertised to be ok up to 10x11).
3. Intuitive controls. Lots of buttons & dials, but youll pick it up quick or you can just ignore them all, and point & shoot on "auto". Youll still get great pictures.
3. Value. At this point in time, this almost-professional quality MSRP $500 camera can be found online (NEW) at around $220. If youre looking for a Point & shoot that has some extended capabilities and isnt a clunky EOS SLR, this is pretty portable.
A few cons:
1. Weight. It is relatively heavy compared to other point-and-shoots. I always use the strap to keep from dropping it, which Ive done more than a few times. Its not as small as the S500s which is a bummer.
2. Manual capabilities occasionally tough to find. As an amateur photographer, I like to use "auto" a lot but when I do use the manual focus/etc. its not always easy to figure out where the appropriate menus are.
3. Tiny viewscreen. Nothing like getting home and realizing that the pictures that initially seemed so sharp and clear on the screen are blurred and out of focus in real size. But this happens with most (if not all) little digital cameras.
4. Night resolution. Blah. Has a "night" mode which is servicable but not that great.
I love this camera and will definitely buy another Canon after all is said and done. In 1 1/2 years, my camera has been around the US/international scene and has taken 5400+ pictures. It has held up like a champ! I totally recommend the S50, even for photography amateurs. My s50 pictures are all posted on the web.
On: 2005-02-09
This is the best camera I have ever seen. It takes amazing photos and you can also take video clips. I highly recommend this camera. I love it!
On: 2005-02-08
This is the best camera I have ever seen. It takes amazing photos and you can also take video clips. I highly recommend this camera. I love it!
On: 2004-12-31
I have now had my Canon S50 for over a year, and taken hundreds of photos. I am a serious amateur photographer, and I got it because it was the _only_ all-manual (somewhat) pocketable digital camera when I got it. The flexibility of this camera is crucial! And I love the intervalometer which allows me to make time-lapse movies of things such as beautiful sunsets.
The bads:
The markings on the selector wheel have completely rubbed off. I have to look on-screen to guess what mode I am in.
To push the selector SET button in without pushing left or right requires just the right touch. I much prefer separate select button as on some other models.
The lens cover also requires a certain touch to close it properly, since it doesnt stay in its track perfectly. This is easily learned, unlike the selector button.
Special-purpose battery is expensive! Why not use AAs?
Only focuses up to 10cm. Macros are not that macro.
Focusing close in low light is virtually impossible, even with manual focus.
To have a shutter sound a second after releasing the shutter button is worthless. It makes taking pictures from a moving vehicle very hard to time.
Some more GOODS: It is surprisingly sensitive, and takes excellent night shots of things like christmas lights, or shots from indoor lighting even without a tripod.
Sound annotation and movies are very handy!
The flash is very flexible, with 1st or 2nd curtain, variable brightness.
The digital zoom (from 3x to 12x) is quite good.
It is pretty solid. Dropped it onto bricks from 4 feet and just a dent.
Not much distortion or chromatic aberation in the lens. Photos look great at poster size.
On: 2004-12-30
I have now had my Canon S50 for over a year, and taken hundreds of photos. I am a serious amateur photographer, and I got it because it was the _only_ all-manual (somewhat) pocketable digital camera when I got it. The flexibility of this camera is crucial! And I love the intervalometer which allows me to make time-lapse movies of things such as beautiful sunsets.
The bads:
The markings on the selector wheel have completely rubbed off. I have to look on-screen to guess what mode I am in.
To push the selector SET button in without pushing left or right requires just the right touch. I much prefer separate select button as on some other models.
The lens cover also requires a certain touch to close it properly, since it doesnt stay in its track perfectly. This is easily learned, unlike the selector button.
Special-purpose battery is expensive! Why not use AAs?
Only focuses up to 10cm. Macros are not that macro.
Focusing close in low light is virtually impossible, even with manual focus.
To have a shutter sound a second after releasing the shutter button is worthless. It makes taking pictures from a moving vehicle very hard to time.
Some more GOODS: It is surprisingly sensitive, and takes excellent night shots of things like christmas lights, or shots from indoor lighting even without a tripod.
Sound annotation and movies are very handy!
The flash is very flexible, with 1st or 2nd curtain, variable brightness.
The digital zoom (from 3x to 12x) is quite good.
It is pretty solid. Dropped it onto bricks from 4 feet and just a dent.
Not much distortion or chromatic aberation in the lens. Photos look great at poster size.
On: 2004-12-11
Excellent all around. Who needs more than 5MP anyway? Great manual control of shutter speed and apeture (spelling?).
If you want a replacement battery at %50 off of list price, you can buy it from BatterySavings.com.
The only drawback to this camera is that within one month of purchase all of the symbols on the jog dial (feature selector) rubbed off and I was left with a black dial with no indicator of which shooting mode was selected. Fortunately, Canon shows the shooting mode on the LCD screen, so you will be OK.
On: 2004-12-06
I have been carrying around dearest Canon Powershot S50 since September of 2003, after tearing myself from an elderly Minolta camera my Father owned about thirty years ago. Prior to purchasing the digital camera, I did a hefty amount of research to ensure myself that I was indeed purchasing a product that would last. After comparing countless cameras to one another through the Internet and shopping centers, I settled on the Powershot S50.
The camera (overall) is incredibly easy to operate, and provides the user with an immense amount of features to explore and expand upon. I quickly learned how to decide on a specific shooting mode for each shot, without much fuss. I also found it very simple to become comfortable and confident while shooting manually with the S50.
This digital camera produces vibrant colors and crisp images with almost every photograph or snapshot taken. The automatic white balance (with or without setting it yourself) compliments each shot, and allows for flexibility. There is rarely a need to adjust anything more than the brightness and contrast of a photograph in Photoshop, which is not the case for many other digital cameras. S50 is also capable of functioning well without a flash in a low-lit environment!
The body of the S50 is a perfect size, sturdy, and survived (with only one small scratch) a dreadful fall on the kitchen ceramic tile. Also, the LED screen placed on the backside of the camera allows the user to see what exactly they are photographing.
There is no need to worry in regards to loading S50s software on a Mac, or PC. Both are "user-friendly" and will not be found troublesome!
Aside from all of the upsides to purchasing the camera, there are, of course, minor (but worth mentioning) issues I was and am not satisfied with. I have not experienced anything negative with the sliding lens cover as other reviewers have, but can agree with its (occasionally) slow reaction time. I have missed a shot I desired to capture on more than one occasion because S50 did not react quickly enough.
Along with this, I have and continue to struggle with the usage of the flash. Photographs either appear too bright or not bright enough. I have yet to settle upon middle ground with S50. However, Photoshop and other photography programs can easily adjust this issue if needed (along with the commonly complained about red eye). The battery life is also an issue to struggle with. It is best to carry another with you, as the camera will not specifically indicate when it will be out of battery power.
I would recommend this camera to anyone in need of a reliable buy, as well as a larger memory card (mine being 256MB). You will have a point-and-shoot camera as well as a semi-pro manual camera combined into one, with a terribly affordable price for all of its functions.
On: 2004-11-03
Ive used my friends and mine now for 2 years. They are great. We took one backpacking in South America for 2 months and it survived and never gave us any problems. Its great for landscape and taking pictures of friends, etc. But with the limited zoom (applies to all compact cameras) you wont be taking any super wildlife shots from a distance. If you want something more powerful, youre going to have to get something more bulky/heavy/fragile.
This is the best thing on the market (as of 6 months ago or so when I looked at everything) for power/sturdiness in a compact camera. I love mine.
On: 2004-11-02
This is a go anywhere, take nearly anything kind of camera. I have had the S50 for a year now and continue to be amazed at what great quality snaps it takes; and an added bonus with 3-minute movies with great sound too! It does have a superpower flash, but you can turn it down and you can turn it off. Outdoor, daylight shots are unbelievable with this camera!
I did have to get used to its macro handling, as I like getting in there close and shooting the wordage off a dime if I need to. Macro shooting did takes some practice and extra finessing to get down, but overall this camera is a true winner.
I am a Canon die hard and have used many cameras in the Canon family, from the AE1 and the Rebel, and A1s to SureShots and now this little PowerShot. This little one is by far my favorite ... the best little camera ever!
On: 2004-11-02
Ive used my friends and mine now for 2 years. They are great. We took one backpacking in South America for 2 months and it survived and never gave us any problems. Its great for landscape and taking pictures of friends, etc. But with the limited zoom (applies to all compact cameras) you wont be taking any super wildlife shots from a distance. If you want something more powerful, youre going to have to get something more bulky/heavy/fragile.
This is the best thing on the market (as of 6 months ago or so when I looked at everything) for power/sturdiness in a compact camera. I love mine.
On: 2004-09-04
I purchased this camera when it first came out. I have enjoyed every single aspect of it. Matter of fact, even after a year or so, Im still exploring the different features of the camera. I went to Egypt and used the vidoe mode on the camera. I was very pleased because I know now that I no longer need to carry the camera and a video recorder.
The pictures are beautiful. The digital zoom images are clear and crisps, and the auto mode makes it possible for even the most untrained eye of beginners to use. I would highly recommend this product.
On: 2004-08-28
I was given this camera as a gift, and the only other Canon product I owned was the horrible Canon EOS IX. Happily, after playing around with it, I loved this camera.
Pluses:
1. Optics are crisp and sharp.
2. Image quality is great. 5MP is more than any point and shoot casual photographer will ever need.
3. Manual mode is a great addition. You can shoot in aperture priority, shutter priority and full manual exposure modes. Pretty nice when you want to get a long exposure for a nifty waterfall shot or to add a sense of motion to a sports/action shot.
4. Nice finish that doesnt wear away easily like most point and shoot cameras in this class.
5. Great auto-focusing and manual-focus controls.
6. 3 minute movie mode. Lots of cameras in this class cap it at 1 minute.
Minuses:
1. The little sliding door on the front to turn the camera on and off can become flimsy if this camera is used often. Ive had 2 friends that have had to get this part of their camera repaired.
2. Great when it came out, but there are many smaller 5MP cameras on the market now. This camera definitely feels bulky, but you cant hold this against the camera. When this came out, it was the smallest 5MP out there.
3. The flash is WAAAAAY TOO POWERFUL. I hate using this camera at night because the pictures always tend to be washed out. You can use photoshop and apply a adjust exposure filter and the images turn out looking great. But thats an extra step. Im confused as to how Canon overlooked this. I know 4 people with this camera, and this is everyones major gripe.
Overall, from my experience, my guy friends tend to like this camera. Most of the women I know dont as it feels a bit too big to them. If you can get this camera used, Id definitely recommend it as itll serve you well for a couple of years.
On: 2004-08-18
I received this camera for Christmas and used it very extensively while travelling through Asia, Australia, New Zealand, etc. for over 4 months in all kind of weather conditions. Unfortunately it didnt cope too well with the damp weather in NZ, or maybe I handled it a bit roughly, but it stopped working (and no camera shop would even look at it - sending it to Canon from abroad wasnt an option so I missed out on lots of pictures for about 1 month of travelling). Apparently the problem was with the CF chamber (one pin got bent by just slotting in the card) and Canon UK charged me €200 for the repair after my return to Ireland.
Anyway, in summary:
Good points:
- great quality pictures
- easy to use
- good movieclips with audio (although limited to 3 mins - why?)
- CF cards are easy to find, relatively cheap (especially in Asia) and compact
- the battery life, compared to other compact digicamera, is excellent (especially compared to the Canon Elph 400, which my travel companion had), but itd be wise to get a spare battery and keep it charged when taking a lot of pictures in one session
- the sofware supplied is quite good
- the lens is bigger than in most compact digicamera, resulting in better focus and details
Bad points:
- the camera is heavy for its size and a bit bulky
- the sliding door on the front is a bit flimsy and sometimes doesnt slot in at the first attempt; also it takes a while to activate the camera
- the silver-coloured buttons look very worn out (although my camera was used a lot in its first 4 months), but at least the black body stays black (the Delph silver case doesnt stay silver for long!)
- the flash is a bit too strong (hence red eyes and bleached out photos in the dark or semi-darkness), even at the lowest setting
- the LCD screen is ok, but it scratches easily (there seems to be a hard plastic cover over it to protect it which can be good)
Overall, its a good camera for its price, but I will probably choose a lighter version with the same size lens when upgrading
On: 2004-08-07
The amount of red eyes in my photos is unbelieveable for a camera in this price range. I am very disappointed. I will probably sell this very soon.
On: 2004-08-06
The amount of red eyes in my photos is unbelieveable for a camera in this price range. I am very disappointed. I will probably sell this very soon.
by: Anonymous On: 2004-07-14
I have a lot of experience with a wide range of fully manual SLRs and digital SLRs, and this camera stacks up nicely. As an architecture student, I bought the S50 to have a quick alternative for shooting models, sites and other miscellaneous scenography to use in large scale presentation format. After 7 months, I have been very pleased.
A few things:The good:
-RAW format (nice to have that versatility)
-color balance is nice
-easy acces to menus
-loads of manual functions
-light adjustments are right on
-nice lcd, crisp and bright
-overall great consistent pictures, and its easy to be really creative (making you feel like a better photographer than you actually are) The not so good (but no so bad either):
-there is too much discrepancy between the area that is seen in the viewfinder and what the sensors see. (You always get more than what you see)
-the 5-way toggle selector button has got to go!
-a little bit too brick-like
-noisy zoom I would recommend this to semi-serious light-heavy shooters. (but get a spare battery, 2 for a full day of shooting with lcd on)
On: 2004-07-13
Sometimes I travel to places where more likely than not, I will not have the opportunity to revisit. That is why I like this camera. The quality of the pictures are quite good (often, bracketing and having a big memory card helps this further) and the durable metal body and small size makes it ideal for traveling. My only major gripe is the battery indicator. The camera doesnt give you a good indication of how much more battery power is left. A second battery is almost a necessary convenience. Obviously, the pictures taken from this are not as good as the SLRs, but often those cameras do not fit so easily in your pocket. Having easier access to a camera makes it easier for me to take spur of the moment pictures. In addition, the s50 does have some remarkable manual features. Some are a bit gimmicky, but the basic manual features, even a manual focus (kind of a pain to get used to at first) are available. All in all, I do love this camera for what it is.
On: 2004-07-12
Sometimes I travel to places where more likely than not, I will not have the opportunity to revisit. That is why I like this camera. The quality of the pictures are quite good (often, bracketing and having a big memory card helps this further) and the durable metal body and small size makes it ideal for traveling. My only major gripe is the battery indicator. The camera doesnt give you a good indication of how much more battery power is left. A second battery is almost a necessary convenience. Obviously, the pictures taken from this are not as good as the SLRs, but often those cameras do not fit so easily in your pocket. Having easier access to a camera makes it easier for me to take spur of the moment pictures. In addition, the s50 does have some remarkable manual features. Some are a bit gimmicky, but the basic manual features, even a manual focus (kind of a pain to get used to at first) are available. All in all, I do love this camera for what it is.
On: 2004-07-11
Before purchasing a digital camera, sit-down and consider your needs. 1. Are you just getting started out in digital photography? This particular camera has a lot of bells and whistles but if you dont take the time to learn the features then it may be a bit of an overkill. The manual has a nice layout, but for the amateur photographer, its not going to be enough explain the functions in detail. 2. How portbable do you want the camera to be?
This is a medium sized camera. Not quite small and light enough where you feel comfortable slipping it into your pocket and heading on out. But at the same time, not a big contraption that is bulky and difficult to manage. Recommendations:
1. Buy a bigger memory Card - With a 5 megapixel camera, I highly recommend getting at least a 256mb memory card.
2. Buy a USB 2.0 Memory Card Reader - While the camera comes with a cable that connects to your computer for downloading images, the USB 2.0 Reader is lightning fast. For example, suppose that a download may take 5 minutes with the supplied cable, that same download will only take 45 seconds with USB 2.0. If you plan on taking a lot of digital pictures, then this item is recommended. Just be sure to check if you computer is USB 2.0 compatible.
3. Buy an extra battery - More than likely that one supplied with the camera will not be enough if you plan on taking a lot of pictures during a trip. At least with the back-up, you can snap away without having to worry if you have enough battery power.
4. Consider buying image editing software- This will give you more control over the finished product. You will be able to crop images, brighten them, sharpen them, take out the red-eye, etc...Again, if you are not familiar with such software, it may take some time to learn. Conclusion: This camera takes awesome pictures for the most part. At 5 megapixels, the images come out clear and detailed. There is a bit of a red-eye problem, and the flash is not very powerful. This camera offers a lot of features, but unless you are willing to sit there and learn what each function does, you may not need it. Portability was an important factor for me while wanting to preserve camera performance, and so I purchased this camera. If I could do it again, I probably would have bought 2 cameras instead. One really small camera like the Canon SD10, so that I can take it anywhere, and then purchase one bigger camera like the Canon G3. I figured that this camera is in between and compromised. Now I kind of regret it. So take your time and think about what kind of settings you will use the camera in and what functions you really need.
On: 2004-07-10
Before purchasing a digital camera, sit-down and consider your needs. 1. Are you just getting started out in digital photography? This particular camera has a lot of bells and whistles but if you dont take the time to learn the features then it may be a bit of an overkill. The manual has a nice layout, but for the amateur photographer, its not going to be enough explain the functions in detail. 2. How portbable do you want the camera to be?
This is a medium sized camera. Not quite small and light enough where you feel comfortable slipping it into your pocket and heading on out. But at the same time, not a big contraption that is bulky and difficult to manage. Recommendations:
1. Buy a bigger memory Card - With a 5 megapixel camera, I highly recommend getting at least a 256mb memory card.
2. Buy a USB 2.0 Memory Card Reader - While the camera comes with a cable that connects to your computer for downloading images, the USB 2.0 Reader is lightning fast. For example, suppose that a download may take 5 minutes with the supplied cable, that same download will only take 45 seconds with USB 2.0. If you plan on taking a lot of digital pictures, then this item is recommended. Just be sure to check if you computer is USB 2.0 compatible.
3. Buy an extra battery - More than likely that one supplied with the camera will not be enough if you plan on taking a lot of pictures during a trip. At least with the back-up, you can snap away without having to worry if you have enough battery power.
4. Consider buying image editing software- This will give you more control over the finished product. You will be able to crop images, brighten them, sharpen them, take out the red-eye, etc...Again, if you are not familiar with such software, it may take some time to learn. Conclusion: This camera takes awesome pictures for the most part. At 5 megapixels, the images come out clear and detailed. There is a bit of a red-eye problem, and the flash is not very powerful. This camera offers a lot of features, but unless you are willing to sit there and learn what each function does, you may not need it. Portability was an important factor for me while wanting to preserve camera performance, and so I purchased this camera. If I could do it again, I probably would have bought 2 cameras instead. One really small camera like the Canon SD10, so that I can take it anywhere, and then purchase one bigger camera like the Canon G3. I figured that this camera is in between and compromised. Now I kind of regret it. So take your time and think about what kind of settings you will use the camera in and what functions you really need.
On: 2004-07-06
Let me begin by saying I own a Digital SLR and Canon Powershot S50. What would I be doing posting a 5 star review on the S50 then you ask? Its very clear! The S50 is an all around great camera for traveling, parties, awards ceremonies & anything where a purse sized powerful beauty is needed. The zooms not that long and red eye is frequent, but when it comes to color reproduction this product shines! Perfect for outside shots with crystal clarity. I love the scene modes & being able to customize my shots. I recommend this camera for its great price and overall nice n sharp image captures.
On: 2004-06-18
Im an old SLR user from way back, and always KNEW it took a big lense to get a great image on film. This little take-along has such a teentsy lense I figured Id be sacrificing clarity for the convenience of a snapshot camera I could carry in my jeans pocket. No way - this little package makes 8x10s as crisp and clear as my old 5-pound Pentax K2. The color is saturated and with the $89 Canon i560s printer I bought at the same time, I get glossy prints with perfect color balance and saturation - and so easy. You dont even need to turn on the PC to print - the camera menu drives the printer via the included USB cable. You can even crop and rotate!
I especially love being able to show pictures and video clips on the TV. I carry that adapter cord in my mini zipper case because a large TV screen beats 4x6 glossies any day.
Warnings/issues:
1) The LCD screen on the back is fragile. It scratches very easily. Its also too dim to see in bright sunlight, so changing to the brighter LCD output setting has to be done BEFORE you get in full sun. Catch-22.
3) Buy a LARGE and high-speed compact flash card. I shoot everything in high resolution so I can blow up whatever shot I like the looks of. At 2Mb per image, its very easy to fill a card up. I usually shoot with a 512Mb Viking which writes each shot to card in about 1.5 seconds, and can store hundreds of shots. I just cleaned that card off, with 185 shots and assorted movies! Also, I just ordered a much faster Sandisk Ultra-II with 256Mb of space. It should be interesting to see how much faster it writes. Transfer to the PC via USB 1.0 cable wont speed up though - the USB 1.0 limits you on any card regardless of the cards read speed. Also, a spare card isnt a luxury - if your one and only card dies, you have no camera. Amazon.com has the best price on the web for that 256 Ultra-II card, by the way.
Two complaints:
1) They shouldve put a little timer symbol by the button that opens the menu that includes the self-timer function. Its so commonly used, it should have its own button.
2) Same thing for red-eye. To turn it on/off I have to go into the menu. A button next time, OK Canon?
Would I buy this S-50 again? Yes. In a New York minute!
On: 2004-06-11
I bought this camera for my recent trip to China. For the past four months, Ive been continuously shooting pictures. Ive carried the camera with me literally every moment of every day and I have probably taken about 5000 pictures with it so far. Prior to this, I was not a frequent picture taker. Additionally, this is my first digital camera.Overall, I am extremely satisfied. The camera takes beautifully detailed and rich images. On the superfine, large setting, it is possible to make large prints (12 x 12) with no noticible deterioration in picture quality. I previously shot on Fine, large but noticed some deterioration in quality on a similarly sized print, so I switched to the higher quality setting. The main weaknesses of this camera are the shutter delay, the focusing and the zoom. Between the shutter delay and the time required for auto-focusing, you can end up with a shot that is different from the one you composed. The zoom is a source of frustration for me. It just isnt sufficient to get the pictures you want (composed the way you want) when a subject is further than 10 feet or so away. I think both of these issues are endemic to this class of camera, so this doesnt detract from my appreciation of the camera. This camera has many options and really serves as a learning tool. Its simple enough to be used by a total novice as a pure point and click camera, but also offers enough control to start to learn about more sophisticated ways of taking photos. Theres aperture priority, shutter priority and full manual settings. Other pluses to this camera are the fact that it is fairly small and non-descript. Many people are surprised to discover that it is a digital. Thats good in my mind, because it makes it less stealable. Before I bought this camera I was a very vapid and infrequent photographer. Now Im really into taking photos and interested in the process of taking photos. I feel like after using this camera for a few years I will be ready to move up to an SLR. I recommend this camera without reservation, however you should be aware that I am not an experienced photographer, nor do I have experience with any other digital cameras.
On: 2004-06-04
this camera is awesome. some good solid features:
1)looks niiiiiiice
2)feels like its built solid, and it is
3)takes awesome pictures (most of the time...more on this later)
4)5 mp!!!!
5)uses compact flash memory as opposed to secure digital (sd costs more than cf)
6)3 minute video clips!!!it does however have its problems:
1)flash is too bright, be very wary when you use it
2)settings could be better when the camera is set on auto (sometimes the pictures get overexposed, or the focus isnt perfect)
3)short battery life and the included memory card (32 mb) is too small. invest in a spare battery and a card thats at least 128 mb. thisll add at least another $50 (depending on whether you get generic or brand name and how much extra memory you get) :\\
4)pretty bulky for a digicam...gets annoying sometimes
5)the 5 mp pictures are pretty big and a pain to send online, unless you have software that can resize the photos. (or you can choose to take pictures at a lower resolution, but i dont choose to do so) overall, as my title says, i love my camera. the pictures it takes are incredible (much more so in manual than in auto mode). and the details in the pictures is amazing. however, you wont need such a high resolution unless you plan on makin some huge printouts, so dont waste your money unnecessarily just cuz you can get more detail that you dont need. i have also found the manual features to be really simple to use, and its been awesome for me as i have been learning about photography recently. hmmm...i think thats all the major points for me. the only other thing is the complaints ive heard about the sliding panel....i personally dont have any problems with it, but lots of people do, so i would beware of that too.
by: Anonymous On: 2004-05-16
I purchased this camera from Amazon this spring and couldnt be happier with it. It was my first digital, but the 2nd digital Canon in our household (husb has Canon S110 Elf - another great *LITTLE* camera!). This 5 mp camera is loaded with features and creates stunningly crisp images. It will take me a long time to ever use / figure out how to use them all.I have 3 complaints, but they are all minor: First, I dont care for the slide-lens-door-open-to-turn-on-camera feature. I agree with another reviewer, it seems like it could break eventually. Second, the video only shoots at 15 frames per second. This information was not easy to find - in fact, it wasnt until we shot the video that we were able to know fps on this one. Its great that it will shoot for 3 full minutes, compared to our other Canons 15 seconds, but Id take less time and more fps. Third, you cant zoom while shooting video. Again, a very, very minor complaint. All in all, Id buy another one in a second. It would be nice eventually to see them put the fold-away lcd panel on this model like the G5 has, but maybe one day. At Amazons great price, you just cant beat this camera! (Also, its so compact - quite a change from my old clunky slr with 20-105 zoom lens on!) Highly recommended!
On: 2004-05-16
Happy with the features, functions, and performance of the camera in all except one area. The red eye reduction function is useless. Im aware of the physical reasons behind red eye, and undertand it can never be completely eliminated. But most of the photos Ive taken of friends and family are absolutely terrible when it comes to red eye. I had a compact Pentax zoom 35mm before this, and the red eye reduction with that camera was outstanding. Cannot undertand how many outstanding reviews I read about this camera with any mention of its weakness in this area. If you ever plan on photographing someones face, look for another camera.
On: 2004-05-15
I bought this 50% sale so I thought I made a good buy.. at least this is a 5mpix camera. This camera has two major drawbacks; Autofocus and Chromatic Aberrations. I take a lot of panorama and mosaic picture and even if one is out of focus it is all ruinded. Every fourth picture I take with autofocus is slighly or completely out of focus. Chomatic aberrations (purple or neon effect) appears on shiny surfaces and this is really annoying in high resolution images. This camera is good when it works but most of the times it does not. If you take more than 30 images a month I DO NOT recommend this!
On: 2004-05-15
I purchased this camera from Amazon this spring and couldnt be happier with it. It was my first digital, but the 2nd digital Canon in our household (husb has Canon S110 Elf - another great *LITTLE* camera!). This 5 mp camera is loaded with features and creates stunningly crisp images. It will take me a long time to ever use / figure out how to use them all.I have 3 complaints, but they are all minor: First, I dont care for the slide-lens-door-open-to-turn-on-camera feature. I agree with another reviewer, it seems like it could break eventually. Second, the video only shoots at 15 frames per second. This information was not easy to find - in fact, it wasnt until we shot the video that we were able to know fps on this one. Its great that it will shoot for 3 full minutes, compared to our other Canons 15 seconds, but Id take less time and more fps. Third, you cant zoom while shooting video. Again, a very, very minor complaint. All in all, Id buy another one in a second. It would be nice eventually to see them put the fold-away lcd panel on this model like the G5 has, but maybe one day. At Amazons great price, you just cant beat this camera! (Also, its so compact - quite a change from my old clunky slr with 20-105 zoom lens on!) Highly recommended!
On: 2004-05-09
Id been waiting for the five megapixel version of the elph to come out, but after a bit of research I have some advice; buy the four megapixel version instead. Canons been having problems putting five megapixels on such a small sensor like the ones used on the S50 and S500 (they use the same sensor). Check out the online review at dcresource(dotcom). Why buy a five megapixel when you get better image quality and smaller file sizes with the 4MP version of the same camera? I ended up buying a brand spankin new S45 on closeout from Amazon for 2/3 of what these sell for.I decided to get the S45 instead of the S400 so I could have a camera that I would grow into and one that allows shooting in RAW mode. I havent been disappointed, I love my camera. Let the members of the upgrade of the month club have their new 5MP toy, and be waiting to take their "old" camera off their hands, or buy a new one at a fire sale price.
by: Anonymous On: 2004-05-05
This product is light, compact and easy to use. It is great for active people and easily tucks into a pocket, purse or diaper bag. I prefer the viewfinder over the screen display but love that it has both. Recommend buying another battery (not much warning) and definately another card because of the file sizes (I got a 512 MB). Dont forget a card reader if you need one. At this point, I have not used the enclosed software. I bought the camera immediately before an unexpected trip and am using another program just because I already knew it. Two of my friends have already bought the same camera. My last digital was an early Nikon Coolpix which always seemed to have trouble. This Canon has run smoothly since Day 1 and has taken about 1400 pictures in the last 6-7 months. The camera is easy enough for a 4 year old to take a picture and has plenty of options for a non-professional adult photographer.
On: 2004-04-14
Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the pictures taken outdoors. The landscape shots turned out beautiful. If you want to shoot quick photos, this camera is great for the price. However, there are a few drawbacks with this camera as stated below. 1. Sliding Lens Cover Pops Open.
2. Too much red-eye in flash photography.
3. Pictures look grainy and blurry in low-lighting and in macro shots.
by: Anonymous On: 2004-04-08
As an avid amateur photographer, I love my Canon EOS SLR, but wanted to buy a digital camera for traveling and family snapshots. Since a digital SLR body was out of my price range, i researched maybe 15 compact digitals before settling on the S50. Im thrilled with my purchase and would recommend this camera even to folks who, like me, are used to higher-end SLRs. The S50 offers an incredible array of features and options in an improbably small package. Ive had it for about six weeks and have yet to take advantage of all the bells and whistles. Although the camera offers options galore, its controls are pretty intuitive. And despite its myriad features, you can use it right out of the box in its "Auto" mode. Its color fidelity is stunning -- even with magentas, which some digital cameras dont capture well. Its automatic white balance is also superb; it produces none of those ugly casts you get with cheaper digital cameras. If you prefer to set the white balance yourself, though, this camera gives you plenty of flexibility. Ive had very good results with the focus. The couple of blurry pics Ive gotten were probably my fault because I didnt give the camera enough time to focus. The focus lock seems pretty quick - comparable to that on my SLR. There are a couple of areas in which this camera doesnt perform as well as my SLR (an unfair comparison, but worth mentioning). One is the slight, occasional shutter delay. This can be annoying but its not the end of the world for travel and family shots. If youre big into anything that involves split-second action, though, Id recommend you stick to an SLR. I must also echo other reviewers comments on the flimsiness of the lens cover. I contemplated returning the camera because of this but was so impressed with the quality of the pictures that I instead resolved to handle the cover with kid gloves. Its helpful to note that you dont have to use the lens cover at all, if youre worried about it... the camera powers down automatically after a while, and you can wake it up again by depressing the shutter. (Of course, this option leaves the lens exposed to dust and scratches...) That said, the S50 offers a couple of huge advantages over film cameras. One is its performance in low-light settings. Ive been amazed at the S50s ability to capture pictures indoors, without a flash. No funky purple ghosting, either! And I love the LED screen thats built into the back of the camera. It has pretty good resolution so you can tell whats in focus, and you can adjust its brightness depending on whether youre shooting indoors or out. Its great to be able to compose your shot without having to mush your glasses against a tiny viewfinder, and its even better to be able to review your photos at the end of the day. The software that comes with the camera is easy to install and intuitive to use (on a Mac, anyway - cant vouch for the PC version!). The 32mb memory card that comes with the camera, on the other hand, is inadequate... Id recommend buying a card with at least 128mb of storage. An extra battery couldnt hurt, either! On the whole, I think this is one of the best compact digital cameras on the market today, and certainly in its price range. Id expected to compromise some image quality in moving from film to digital, but am surprised and delighted to find thats not the case. If I had my choice to make over, Id buy this camera again.
On: 2004-04-05
I have been meaning to give this camera a fair review since I bought it last spring, so I spent some time trying all of the features and testing its limitations. While this and most similar digital cameras take some very clear shots, there are too many cases where digital distortion and blurred photos are the result of the current state of digital camera technology. I bought this camera over some less expensive models in hopes to take advantage of the many manual features the camera has to offer. Most highly of these, I looked forward to manual focus. As far as Im concerned, this feature is just not worth the frustration of using. The same goes for some of the other manual settings available on the camera. Its much easier to get a great picture using the manual controls on the standard 35mm camera. While Im very happy with this camera for its quality in construction and ease of general use, I dont reccommend this camera for those who are interested in the manual features. If you find a comparible digital camera without the manual settings, I would choose that one instead. If you want control over your pictures, either buy a digital camera over $1000 or stick to the trusty 35mm for the time being. You could always get a cheaper digital camera on the side for quick picture taking.
On: 2004-03-31
I did extensive research before buying my S50. Canon has wonderful picture quality and the S50 is GREAT. Other reviewers are correct, the sliding door is a little less than perfect. Dont let that keep you from purchasing it.Picture quality is superb. Auto mode works great and the manual settings are numerous. I have been more than pleased with the quality. You do need to purchase a larger CF card, but that is common with digital cameras. What are you waiting for?? this is a lot of camera for the $400 price range. BUY IT!!
On: 2004-03-30
I did extensive research before buying my S50. Canon has wonderful picture quality and the S50 is GREAT. Other reviewers are correct, the sliding door is a little less than perfect. Dont let that keep you from purchasing it.Picture quality is superb. Auto mode works great and the manual settings are numerous. I have been more than pleased with the quality. You do need to purchase a larger CF card, but that is common with digital cameras. What are you waiting for?? this is a lot of camera for the $400 price range. BUY IT!!
On: 2004-03-27
I was going to buy the Sony 3MP digital camera for my first digital camera purchase. My friends liked theirs. Instead, I let the Wolf (Ritz) camera store salesman talk me into the Canon S50.Im so glad I bought the Canon! The picture quality is far superior to the Sony and even the 8X10 pictures I have printed are exquisite! I have taken pictures ranging from the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean at Cabo San Lucas to closeups of people indoors and out and the quality is excellent - better than my 35 mm film camera. The camera is light and portable and easy to use. On the Auto setting, it really is point-and-click. I have to confess, I havent read the two inch thick instruction manual yet though I am looking forward to learning more about its features. In the meantime - I am getting great shots and enjoying the camera! I strongly recommend the 256K memory card and an extra battery.
On: 2004-03-26
I was going to buy the Sony 3MP digital camera for my first digital camera purchase. My friends liked theirs. Instead, I let the Wolf (Ritz) camera store salesman talk me into the Canon S50.Im so glad I bought the Canon! The picture quality is far superior to the Sony and even the 8X10 pictures I have printed are exquisite! I have taken pictures ranging from the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean at Cabo San Lucas to closeups of people indoors and out and the quality is excellent - better than my 35 mm film camera. The camera is light and portable and easy to use. On the Auto setting, it really is point-and-click. I have to confess, I havent read the two inch thick instruction manual yet though I am looking forward to learning more about its features. In the meantime - I am getting great shots and enjoying the camera! I strongly recommend the 256K memory card and an extra battery.
by: Anonymous On: 2004-03-23
The picture quality and feature set of this camera is fantastic for the price. Ive used it with its underwater case for taking fantastic scuba diving pictures during a Carribean vacation. There are lots of great features such as automatic mode for simple point&shoot and for the intermediate photographer using manual settings. Three additional nice modes include: panorama, short video, and rapid shoot (taking multiple shots in rapid succession). The included software is great for managing pictures and powerful to help enhance any picture.A couple of drawbacks: (1) the sliding lens cover can pop off and (2) battery does not last very long. A few suggestions: (1) use hi-speed compact flash card (at least 128MB to get about 50 hi-res pictures), (2) definitely invest in an extra battery, (3) when using underwater, make sure to wipe interior lens of underwater case with anti-fog solution before each undertewater outing.
On: 2004-03-20
Ive been mixed on how to review the Canon S50. I bought it after much thought vs the Canon G5 or the newer Olympus cameras, and overall Im relatively pleased, but I did have my share of problems with it. First of all, the reviews stating that the mechanical door is somewhat flimsy are absolutely correct. Its nice not to have to worry about accidentally turning on the camera, but my first S50 had a malfunctioning sliding door (it wouldnt open completely), and I had to exchange it for another one, which has worked fine.Second, the exposure settings and picture resolution out of the box are not optimal considering the 5 megapixel CCD sensor, which is one of the major selling points of the camera. My shots were consistently underexposed, and the low resolution settings seemed more designed to fit on the woefully small included compactflash card than to provide good shots. It was easy to change the settings through the extensive menu, but with a point and shoot one expects good pictures without having to tinker with the settings. On the plus side, the camera is very feature-rich, and the image quality is good once the settings are tweaked. Also, the small size makes it easy to carry around, which is the main reason I chose it over the larger G5. A major draw is the ability to save images in the RAW format, which many other manufacturers lack. The RAW format can be thought of as the name suggests - a "raw" image without any noticeable compression that might degrade quality. In comparison, a JPEG is considered a "lossy" format, in which one sacrifices some detail in order to have a smaller file size. Once I bought a 512MB compactflash, I saved all my images as RAW files and adjusted them on the computer. The included Arcsoft and Canon software are not really very good, and youll get much better mileage from Adobe Photoshop/ Photoshop Elements or Paint Shop Pro. To summarize,
Pros:
Small size
Good picture quality once default settings are changed
RAW image format capability
Feature-rich Cons:
Mechanical sliding door can give problems
Out-of-the-box image settings less than optimal
Slow shutter speed
Inadequate Compactflash card included
Need to open battery door to get at Compactflash card
So-so included software
On: 2004-03-13
I love my Canon Rebel Digital but sometimes its just to large to carry so I purchased the Canon S50 as my "fun" camera. I wanted another camera that used the Compact Flash media and after a lot of research, I decided upon the S50. Its a lot of value in a small package. You cannot go wrong with this camera especially at the Amazon price. What made the deal even better was Amazons service. I placed my order on Sunday using the free shipping expecting to wait a week or more to receive the camera. Imagine my surprise when it was deliverd on Thursday...just 4 days wait. Great job Amazon!
On: 2004-03-09
I own a 10D which I absolutely love and was getting tired of using my old Olympus Epic (a GREAT film camera) and was looking for a good digital point and shoot. My two major candidates were the S400 and the S50. I was unfortunately disappointed in the S400s ability to focus reliably and produce good sharp well saturated pictures while the S50 performed like a champ. If you follow the photography boards at all you realize that this is a fairly common dilemma - the S400 vs the S50. The S50 offers excellent manual controls while the S400 is significantly smaller without any manual control whatsoever other than exposure compensation. I LOVED the look of the S400, but unfortunately it was too small for my large hands and I either couldnt hold it steady or the darn thing wouldnt focus properly even though I set the focus mode on just the center focus square would should have given me substantially more focus control. This camera is simply beautiful, but for me it just wasnt producing the excellent results Ive gotten with the S50. The S50 offers considerably more user controls than does the S400. I could have lived without all the manual controls since I own the 10D and since this camera was primarily for my wife. But I couldnt live without reliable focusing. Several have pointed out that since the S400 is so small it will always be with you whereas the S50 would be less likely to be carried along because of its increased size. Im not sure that I buy this argument since I wouldnt carry either camera in my pocket. Im well aware of the glowing reports re the S400 and I sincerely wish it had worked out for me since I love the form and size factor, but at the end of the day picture quality was WAY more important to me than absolute smallness and the S50 just performed better for me. ON the form and size factor alone the S400 gets the nod, but on the more important function front the S50 just worked better for me. I am a huge fan of the Canon cameras and I would advise anyone looking for a camera, whether a point and shoot or a DSLR to carefully consider the Canon line since, in my opinion, it is currently the state of the art.
On: 2004-03-08
I own a 10D which I absolutely love and was getting tired of using my old Olympus Epic (a GREAT film camera) and was looking for a good digital point and shoot. My two major candidates were the S400 and the S50. I was unfortunately disappointed in the S400s ability to focus reliably and produce good sharp well saturated pictures while the S50 performed like a champ. If you follow the photography boards at all you realize that this is a fairly common dilemma - the S400 vs the S50. The S50 offers excellent manual controls while the S400 is significantly smaller without any manual control whatsoever other than exposure compensation. I LOVED the look of the S400, but unfortunately it was too small for my large hands and I either couldnt hold it steady or the darn thing wouldnt focus properly even though I set the focus mode on just the center focus square would should have given me substantially more focus control. This camera is simply beautiful, but for me it just wasnt producing the excellent results Ive gotten with the S50. The S50 offers considerably more user controls than does the S400. I could have lived without all the manual controls since I own the 10D and since this camera was primarily for my wife. But I couldnt live without reliable focusing. Several have pointed out that since the S400 is so small it will always be with you whereas the S50 would be less likely to be carried along because of its increased size. Im not sure that I buy this argument since I wouldnt carry either camera in my pocket. Im well aware of the glowing reports re the S400 and I sincerely wish it had worked out for me since I love the form and size factor, but at the end of the day picture quality was WAY more important to me than absolute smallness and the S50 just performed better for me. ON the form and size factor alone the S400 gets the nod, but on the more important function front the S50 just worked better for me. I am a huge fan of the Canon cameras and I would advise anyone looking for a camera, whether a point and shoot or a DSLR to carefully consider the Canon line since, in my opinion, it is currently the state of the art.
On: 2004-03-05
Im new to digital photography. This camera was fairly intuitive to master. The accompanying software is excellent and makes downloads to the computer painless.It takes stunningly good photos, and thats the important thing. The video quality, however, is yucko. Dont buy the camera thinking that youll take great short clips as part of the package. You wont. Why didnt I give it 5 stars? 1) It is slow on the draw when you snap a pic. Just a little too long for it to capture the scene so that you can move on to another pic. 2) The sliding door on the front is, so far, sturdy but it sure feels wobbly and breakable. I dont care for it. 3) The all-in-one function button in the back is sensitive to the slightest pressure in the wrong direction, especially if you make a selection and then press straight down (the dreaded middle position). Ugh, what an awful idea. 4) Forget the memory card that comes with the camera. Canon, just put the higher-capacity card in the camera. We all know that disk space costs practically nothing, and the card you give us is pathetic (it seems all camera manufacturers do this, and I wish they would just stop the cutesy games on this matter). Bottom line to potential buyers: If I had to do it over again, Id get the same camera. Others here have mentioned all the good points, and I agree with them.
On: 2004-03-04
Excellent camera. Have used it for about three months now. Bunch of cool features. I prefer this to the G5 and G3 because of buttons at wrong places in those. I am sure quality G5 pictures are much better. This camera suits use by all members of the family better.
On: 2004-03-04
Im new to digital photography. This camera was fairly intuitive to master. The accompanying software is excellent and makes downloads to the computer painless.It takes stunningly good photos, and thats the important thing. The video quality, however, is yucko. Dont buy the camera thinking that youll take great short clips as part of the package. You wont. Why didnt I give it 5 stars? 1) It is slow on the draw when you snap a pic. Just a little too long for it to capture the scene so that you can move on to another pic. 2) The sliding door on the front is, so far, sturdy but it sure feels wobbly and breakable. I dont care for it. 3) The all-in-one function button in the back is sensitive to the slightest pressure in the wrong direction, especially if you make a selection and then press straight down (the dreaded middle position). Ugh, what an awful idea. 4) Forget the memory card that comes with the camera. Canon, just put the higher-capacity card in the camera. We all know that disk space costs practically nothing, and the card you give us is pathetic (it seems all camera manufacturers do this, and I wish they would just stop the cutesy games on this matter). Bottom line to potential buyers: If I had to do it over again, Id get the same camera. Others here have mentioned all the good points, and I agree with them.
On: 2004-03-03
Excellent camera. Have used it for about three months now. Bunch of cool features. I prefer this to the G5 and G3 because of buttons at wrong places in those. I am sure quality G5 pictures are much better. This camera suits use by all members of the family better.
by: Anonymous On: 2004-03-01
I was scouting for a dicital camera for a few weeks, did some research and asked some friends. After thorough thinking, I decided to get the S50 or the IXUS 400.. both are good and came highly recommended. I went for the S50 because of the 5 Mega Pixel plus its just the right size (not too small like the s400). Resolution is good and it is easy to use. Quality of the pictures are superb and the price is perfect. Canon is known for quality so I went for it. Thought of Sony but when I tried it, it was not really good.If you want to spend just $400 for a good camera, go for the S50.
On: 2004-02-29
Ive had my Canon S50 for about three months now, and I am still discovering new features that make it even more endearing.
On: 2004-02-25
Bought in late november 2003 for a trip to las vegas as my nikon coolpix 775 was getting slow and at 2 MP, a great camer for my wife to use. Dell had a good deal at the time, $500 with $100 in discounts and free shipping, no tax. then around mid-january i checked and the price was $400 with almost $75 in coupons, netting around $325. i was pretty pissed so i called dell and complained, and they issued a reference number. i couldnt believe it - around 3 weeks later i was closing my dell premium account and it had a $100 credit on it. impressed. camera continues to give great battery life.
On: 2004-02-09
I think Ive found the perfect digital camera. Check out the positives and negatives with the PowerShot S50.Positives: (where do I begin?)
* Made of solid, sturdy metal. Feels like a real camera not a cheap plastic toy like other digital cameras.
* Has features galore!!! Has standard features plus some pretty nice extras such as:
-customizable flash-can change the strength of the flash, helping to prevent washed out pictures which is common with most digital cameras when you use the flash.
-flips landscapes pictures that would normally appear sideways. the camera lets you flip these pictures rightside up so you wont have to do it on your computer.
-can take panoramic pictures.
-the camera is customizable! What does this mean? This camera lets you customize the startup screen. You have an option between clear blue water, evening skyline or a sitting bird. You can change the startup sound, your options include a default theme, science fiction and animal sounds(dog barking or bird chirping). These sounds are designed to presumably match the startup screens but they can be mix and matched. The shutter also has various sounds you can choose from. All these sounds can, of course, be turned off.
-this list goes on and on. Check this camera out to see everything.
* Superb true true-to-life daytime and night pictures.
* Pictures come out crisp and sharp with or without the flash, in brightly lit or darky lit areas.
* What you see is what you get. What you see on the LCD screen is usually how the pictures will appear on your computer monitor or when you print them out. The LCD, when you press lightly on the shutter button, will show you actually how the picture will appear once viewed on screen or on paper. So if your LCD has a bright contrast and you are in a dark room, when you press the shutter button lightly, the LCD will adjust itself to the actual lighting of the room. There will be no deception and you wont have to wonder why the pictures look lighter on the LCD than on the computer screen or in print.
* Can record mini movies with sound.
* Uses compact flash card.
* Unbeatable price. There is much, much more that I can add on to this list but you will have get this camera and see for yourself. Negatives:
* Joystick navigator takes some getting used to. Very hard to maneuver through the menus resulting in accidently going to the wrong options.
* There is no power button. You have to shut the lens lid to turn off the camera. This makes me nervous. Im always scared that this will somehow damage the lens.
* The macro setting isnt the best. Sometimes the macro pictures can appear blurry.
* Uses the very expensive NB-2L rechargable battery as opposed to inexpensive, more common rechargables such as NiMHs or other types. Plus NB-2Ls can only be used with PowerShot S30, S40, S50 cameras and Elura 40mc camcorders. Get the Canon PowerShot S50 if you want superior quality in a small package.
On: 2004-02-03
I spent quite a bit of time searching the internet for the perfect digitial camera. I was unsure about making the switch to digital and was also skeptical about spending that much money on something I may or may not use. I got the camera so that it could go with my fiance and I to New Orleans, as well as be used in our private life. So, being a novice I needed something simple to use, with a long battery life and that came with many features. Also, I needed something that would take crystal clear images. This camera has truly done all of that and more. During one week of constant photo taking (over 250 photos), I only changed the battery twice. I was even able to shoot a short video! The camera is versatile in that its a sophisticated as you need it be. If you dont know a thing about foacl length and proper light, its a perfect point-and-shoot. If youre a camera wiz, there are plenty of features to let you get just the right shot. Ive had the camera now for six months and Im still discovering new features. Its nearly impossible to take a bad shot with this camera. I will say, however, that some of the cameras modes take a very steady hand to take, so you might need a tripod. Considering how many features are on this camera, the price is wonderful. Especially when compared to similar cameras on the market. So, whether youre a novice or a camera pro looking to switch to digital, the Canon should be your first choice. One thing, the memory that comes with the camera is no where near enough. I bought a 256MB card that I have yet to fill. Other than that, its the perfect camera.
by: Anonymous On: 2004-01-29
The S50 is for any type of photographer, whether amateur or professional. You have to read the users guide carefully, it will answer all your questions. You can change settings or modes with the touch of a button. You have complete control of what you need, to get that perfect shot. Just read that users guide. Do get a larger CF card and extra battery. Once you get to know the camera you will never go back to film (or any other digital camera).
On: 2004-01-28
Its simple. This is the best digital camera Ive ever owned, with the best image quality that I have seen. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants 5MPs and the manual controls. As always, Canon has made another top-performing model. It was highly recommended at CNET, and has been a top product of 2003 in many magazines and camera-related websites. You cant go wrong with this camera. With the price just under 400 dollars, its the best deal around! Make no mistake, Canon is the best at digital cameras! 10 stars if amazon had that!!
On: 2004-01-28
This Camera is a top premium buy! I am 100% satisfied after having used the camera for six months!
The images are of the greatest quality allowing for wonderful printouts.
You will need a larger memory card - I recommend 256mb and a spare battery might be good even though I have managed fairly well with only one! But This is not something negative cause the supreme quality of the camera compensates for all of this!
Buy it!!!
And, of course Amazon.com never lets you down! Count on amazon for good priceing, fast shipment and reliability!
On: 2004-01-27
This Camera is a top premium buy! I am 100% satisfied after having used the camera for six months!
The images are of the greatest quality allowing for wonderful printouts.
You will need a larger memory card - I recommend 256mb and a spare battery might be good even though I have managed fairly well with only one! But This is not something negative cause the supreme quality of the camera compensates for all of this!
Buy it!!!
And, of course Amazon.com never lets you down! Count on amazon for good priceing, fast shipment and reliability!
On: 2004-01-20
A friend of mine recently bought an S50 and brought it over to our home when he visited. We played around with them and our own cameras and made some comparisons. First a few comments about F&F (features and feel). The S50 has a very solid, well made feel to it, especially considering the very reasonable price - you can get it for well under the $600 retail pricetag. Second, this guy has many features you wont get without spending quite a bit more money. For example, the integration of the exposure mode controls are very logical and functional, with a very usable manual exposure mode and wide exposure compensation. The included software has an image stitching capability for assembling panoramas and it works fine. The autofocus system works well and has some interesting options for shooting difficult subjects, such as when the object of interest is off-center. The image processor is called DiG!C and supposedly enhances the image quality beyond what youd expect from a 5 MB CCD. We compared images from the S50 to our Olympus C-50 and our Sony F707. The S50 did quite well, in some cases looking slightly sharper than the C-50, but in general falling short of the F707. Note that the F707 retailed for over $1000 and has a large Zeiss lens which I expect is a significant contributing factor. One more thing - the C50 is easy to use - I picked up on most of the controls intuitively.
On: 2004-01-19
A friend of mine recently bought an S50 and brought it over to our home when he visited. We played around with them and our own cameras and made some comparisons. First a few comments about F&F (features and feel). The S50 has a very solid, well made feel to it, especially considering the very reasonable price - you can get it for well under the $600 retail pricetag. Second, this guy has many features you wont get without spending quite a bit more money. For example, the integration of the exposure mode controls are very logical and functional, with a very usable manual exposure mode and wide exposure compensation. The included software has an image stitching capability for assembling panoramas and it works fine. The autofocus system works well and has some interesting options for shooting difficult subjects, such as when the object of interest is off-center. The image processor is called DiG!C and supposedly enhances the image quality beyond what youd expect from a 5 MB CCD. We compared images from the S50 to our Olympus C-50 and our Sony F707. The S50 did quite well, in some cases looking slightly sharper than the C-50, but in general falling short of the F707. Note that the F707 retailed for over $1000 and has a large Zeiss lens which I expect is a significant contributing factor. One more thing - the C50 is easy to use - I picked up on most of the controls intuitively.
On: 2004-01-18
This camera is very easy to use, and has many great features. I love it and I will never go back to film.
On: 2004-01-15
I never took the idea of digital photography seriously until I visited with a friend and saw some of his amazing photographs. Since then, I felt the need to try my hand at it. The old saying goes that its not the camera, but the photographer that makes the pictures - but when youre starting from scratch, and especially in digital, youll want something you can grow into.After doing a lot of homework I decided that the S50 was the camera for me. My biggest concerns when deciding on a camera were its megapixels, features, and portability. 5MP is enough to do enlargements up to a reasonable size with cropping, and even though I havent made prints as large as I possibly could, I like having the option for when I will eventually need it. The detail in the pictures really stands out when you have them displayed at full size on your computer. All the cameras settings and modes are top notch and as a photographic novice I found it very easy to use all the advanced features without having read the manual. And as far as portability goes, handling it at the store made me appreciate the solid construction that went into it. It fits well in pockets too, though not as well as other cameras. So, why not the flip screen on the A80? The S50 felt much more well built to me. Why not the full fledged features on the G5? The S50 is small enough that Im willing to take it with me wherever I go, rather than "when Im in the mood." Why not a comparable Nikon or such? Again, I felt like I got everything I needed in one package with the S50. Do I have any regrets? Not really, though now that Ive "grown into" the camera, I wish the aperture range was not so limited on full telephoto, but you wont get much out of any of the prosumer cameras in that respect. On camera flash is bad in every way. And I carry a spare battery with me when Im out - factor that into the cost of your purchase; the battery life is decent, but not great. On the whole, Im more than satisfied with the camera, but do your research before you settle down on any camera that you feel is right for you.
On: 2004-01-14
This review refers to Canon digital cameras at large. My experience is with the G5 not the S50. Both are more or less the same camera only the G5 has better zoom and flash shoe.I got my G5 in August through Amazon. In December the LCD has stopped working, and a few days later the Camera completely stopped functioning.
At the time I was travelling with my wife to Europe and Canon refused to service the Camera. Apparently you can only get US local service to it (they even dont allow shipping back to the States) and get this - I took this to Amazon customer service which warned me that by taking this Camera outside the United States, "you void the manufacturers warranty on this item. This could make any future servicing of the item difficult and costly."
Since we are due to get back to the States only in 3 months, and I need a WORKING camera to shoot while on vacation, not when I am home, I had to pay today $350 to fix it and replace the "Optical Unit". I will never buy a Canon product again. Sony gives you worldwide walk-in warranty, no matter where you are you in the world you go or call a local Sony service center and get your Camera fixed.
Now, that Sony offers CF and not just MemoryStick and with the excellent reviews it gets from the user community, there is really no reason to take the risk with Canon. Their Cameras ship with defects and the service is the worst I came across so far.
by: Anonymous On: 2004-01-03
Here is the skinny; I would classify myself as an intermediate/pro photographer as an owner of 3 digital cameras and 5 SLRs. I have come to the conclusion after about 9 months with the S50 that it will give you the greatest bang for your buck. Whether you need it for its manual (semi-pro) functions or as just a point and shoot, this is just the camera. It is small and portable, yet very powerful and filled with functions that the average user will never need. It is very durable and has excellent optics, as you will eventually see from your first set of prints. This camera has been out for a while now and you will be able to purchase it at a very reasonable price. You simply cannot buy a comparable camera that even comes close.Read on for more detail.
The LCD screen is very bright and easy to see, even in direct sunlight. In my experience with other digital cameras, I would recommend that you apply a screen protector. I have had them replaced on my other cameras due to scratches. They do not make them for cameras, however you can cut one out of any after market PDA screen protector. It does an excellent job protecting your screen from scratches and fingerprints. A must have when you start taking this camera wherever you go; and you will after you fall in love with it as most S50 users have. This camera takes great photo-quality pictures. The reason that I got this camera is because of the 5MP resolution. You will not need that resolution for your average 4x6 or 5x7 print; however its nice to be able to take a picture at the highest resolution and know that you have flexibility in editing and cropping or even getting a photo-quality 8x10 or 11x14 if you ever need it. Besides, we all have 100+ Gb drives with CD burners, so whenever you want you could burn your photos on a CD/DVD for storage. However, this high resolution comes with a price. It is a necessity that you purchase a high capacity CF card. This all depends on how many photos you take per session. A 512MB card will take a little over 200 photos and ranges from $70-$100. There are those who think that you need a camera with a 4X optical zoom as opposed to the S50s 3X. The 3X vs. 4X zoom is just another selling point. DO NOT PASS THIS CAMERA UP BECAUSE OF THIS! In my professional opinion, that makes little difference to the final product, the print. Keep in mind that the more zoom you use, the more light and stability you need in holding the camera. In other words, you will likely need a tripod to take a decent picture, not to mention better lighting. Bottom line is that the 3X is ample for a camera in this class. My last recommendation is for an after market high-capacity battery. I purchased an 800mAh Lithium-ion for about $35 and it is a vast improvement over the factory supplied one. I used to lug them both with me, but I stopped doing that since I have never had the other one discharge on me before the day is over. One feature that this camera needs is hour/minute indicator of how much battery time is left. The only indicator is a two-minute warning that the battery is almost empty. So if Canon is listening, please put this in the next firmware update. My other gripe with this camera is the lens cover/door. It is flimsy and does not always close as smoothly as it is supposed to.
On: 2004-01-02
Here is the skinny; I would classify myself as an intermediate/pro photographer as an owner of 3 digital cameras and 5 SLRs. I have come to the conclusion after about 9 months with the S50 that it will give you the greatest bang for your buck. Whether you need it for its manual (semi-pro) functions or as just a point and shoot, this is just the camera. It is small and portable, yet very powerful and filled with functions that the average user will never need. It is very durable and has excellent optics, as you will eventually see from your first set of prints. This camera has been out for a while now and you will be able to purchase it at a very reasonable price. You simply cannot buy a comparable camera that even comes close.Read on for more detail.
The LCD screen is very bright and easy to see, even in direct sunlight. In my experience with other digital cameras, I would recommend that you apply a screen protector. I have had them replaced on my other cameras due to scratches. They do not make them for cameras, however you can cut one out of any after market PDA screen protector. It does an excellent job protecting your screen from scratches and fingerprints. A must have when you start taking this camera wherever you go; and you will after you fall in love with it as most S50 users have. This camera takes great photo-quality pictures. The reason that I got this camera is because of the 5MP resolution. You will not need that resolution for your average 4x6 or 5x7 print; however its nice to be able to take a picture at the highest resolution and know that you have flexibility in editing and cropping or even getting a photo-quality 8x10 or 11x14 if you ever need it. Besides, we all have 100+ Gb drives with CD burners, so whenever you want you could burn your photos on a CD/DVD for storage. However, this high resolution comes with a price. It is a necessity that you purchase a high capacity CF card. This all depends on how many photos you take per session. A 512MB card will take a little over 200 photos and ranges from $70-$100. There are those who think that you need a camera with a 4X optical zoom as opposed to the S50s 3X. The 3X vs. 4X zoom is just another selling point. DO NOT PASS THIS CAMERA UP BECAUSE OF THIS! In my professional opinion, that makes little difference to the final product, the print. Keep in mind that the more zoom you use, the more light and stability you need in holding the camera. In other words, you will likely need a tripod to take a decent picture, not to mention better lighting. Bottom line is that the 3X is ample for a camera in this class. My last recommendation is for an after market high-capacity battery. I purchased an 800mAh Lithium-ion for about $35 and it is a vast improvement over the factory supplied one. I used to lug them both with me, but I stopped doing that since I have never had the other one discharge on me before the day is over. One feature that this camera needs is hour/minute indicator of how much battery time is left. The only indicator is a two-minute warning that the battery is almost empty. So if Canon is listening, please put this in the next firmware update. My other gripe with this camera is the lens cover/door. It is flimsy and does not always close as smoothly as it is supposed to.
On: 2003-12-31
The Canon S50 has lots of strengths: crisp, sharp color, excellent automatic focus and exposure settings, sharp optics and snazzy design. And a few annoying weaknesses; major redeye problems, an optical viewfinder which only shows 82% of the picture, one second shutter delay and a tiny multi-function switch. Its very durable; I dented mine dropping it from an overhead train compartment in Japan. The 32 meg compact flash card included only holds ten pictures at the highest setting but you can buy a 128 meg on the internet for $35. The very compact battery charger charges Canons proprietary battery in 80 minutes and works on 110/220 volts. You can buy a clone battery on the net for $5.95. I recommend substituting a neck strap for the provided wrist strap. Included software is okay but I like ACDSee better.On balance, an excellent value at Amazons price. Highly recommended.
On: 2003-12-26
For those of you wanting to take a (giant) leap over the average point-and-shooter (and even if you do not) this camera is your final destination. I agonizingly researched numerous digital cameras for months and results always seem to conclude that the Canon S50 is highly rated and was a consistent editors pick. I am a die-hard Olympus fan with their lens construction, which utilized "ED" extra dispersion glass. My old (now bulky) IS-1 point-and-shooter gave me stunning photos which actually once exceeded a professional wedding photographers pictures at a cousin-in-laws wedding. I can safely say that I can easily match those vivid results with the S50. The features bundled with this camera are immense. I have yet to get through them all and the journey can only get better. In researching other "user" reviews I discovered complaints about the flimsy lens cover/slider door and an LCD screen that scratches easily. I appreciated that advice and I now exercise caution in the operation of the slider door with no problems so far. The door seems durable enough to last for the years of use. As far as the LCD screen damage, as a Pocket PC owner I wisely purchased a package of ten plastic screen protectors to eliminate stylus damage. I cut one sheet down to size and rubbed it onto the S50s LCD screen. It works and looks very good and they are easily removable thanks to the use of a light adhesive. You can purchase them at any local computer products retailer. The battery life is fair and upon the cameras initial use, the built-in memory battery needed to charge off of the removable one, so your first run will drain the battery fast. After that you should see your performance increase according to your cameras operational settings. I will however, purchase a spare battery or two as well as the AC and DC adapters. External card reading and writing devices are a must to conserve power and again, my Pocket PC and laptop are invaluable for this as you can view and edit CompactFlash cards with ease. That said, the world is my oyster and I continue to see the quantum leaping advantages to digital photography. Ill miss my old IS-1, but not its bulk and film waste.
On: 2003-12-25
For those of you wanting to take a (giant) leap over the average point-and-shooter (and even if you do not) this camera is your final destination. I agonizingly researched numerous digital cameras for months and results always seem to conclude that the Canon S50 is highly rated and was a consistent editors pick. I am a die-hard Olympus fan with their lens construction, which utilized "ED" extra dispersion glass. My old (now bulky) IS-1 point-and-shooter gave me stunning photos which actually once exceeded a professional wedding photographers pictures at a cousin-in-laws wedding. I can safely say that I can easily match those vivid results with the S50. The features bundled with this camera are immense. I have yet to get through them all and the journey can only get better. In researching other "user" reviews I discovered complaints about the flimsy lens cover/slider door and an LCD screen that scratches easily. I appreciated that advice and I now exercise caution in the operation of the slider door with no problems so far. The door seems durable enough to last for the years of use. As far as the LCD screen damage, as a Pocket PC owner I wisely purchased a package of ten plastic screen protectors to eliminate stylus damage. I cut one sheet down to size and rubbed it onto the S50s LCD screen. It works and looks very good and they are easily removable thanks to the use of a light adhesive. You can purchase them at any local computer products retailer. The battery life is fair and upon the cameras initial use, the built-in memory battery needed to charge off of the removable one, so your first run will drain the battery fast. After that you should see your performance increase according to your cameras operational settings. I will however, purchase a spare battery or two as well as the AC and DC adapters. External card reading and writing devices are a must to conserve power and again, my Pocket PC and laptop are invaluable for this as you can view and edit CompactFlash cards with ease. That said, the world is my oyster and I continue to see the quantum leaping advantages to digital photography. Ill miss my old IS-1, but not its bulk and film waste.
On: 2003-12-15
The Canon PowerShot S50 is a terrific small digital camera. It packs in an amazing array of features, starting with the generous maximum 5 megapixel image size (you can make them smaller to conserve space on the CompactFlash card). Several modes are available to you such as Sports (high shutter-speed and high resolution shots), Portrait, Night, etc. You can put it in complete Idiot Mode (okay, Automatic mode) and let it select your shutter speed and aperture, or you can pick one or the other and let the camera pick the missing one, or you can go full into Manual mode and pick both. Theres even a Movie mode, complete with sound!This small camera fits in a purse easily (okay, not a small purse), and doesnt get in the way if youre shouldering it in a case (not included). That means the optical zoom is limited to 3x. And unfortuately, the S50, like all the PowerShot S family, starts out at 11mm, which is a very wide-angle value. Even at 3X you will only come in to 55mm, often not as close as youd expect. There is a digital zoom, but so what? Crop your picture in software later rather than play with that silly feature. But getting back to the range, I found it insufficient for shooting
across a large (but crowded) room. If you work closer in this wont be a problem. I agree the sliding door that covers the lens (and turns on the camera) seems flimsy. Thats because it can cause problems. My 3YO niece got ahold of mine and ripped the door off. I was able to reattach it but now its like a loose tooth, just waiting to fall off again. Even under warranty, my choice was to send it back to Canon for 12 weeks or live with it. I couldnt live without the camera, so I kept it, loose sliding door and all. Ive just learned not to lend it to people who cant baby it; a good push and that door is off the camera again. Then I bought a Canon Digital Rebel, which is an even better camera, but not the same type as the S50 at all. The latter can fit into a generous shirt pocket; the Digital Rebel is a big ol digital SLR (single-lens reflex camera, a through-the-lens viewfinder, typically with interchangeable lenses). One of the S50s limitations is a slow shutter response. I cant tell you how many shots Ive missed using it; I frame it lovingly, I see the perfect moment, I shoot... but no score. The people have moved on, the sun has set, the universe suffers heat-death, and finally the shutter clicks. If you want a fast shutter then you must have a digital SLR, as almost all the compact-style digital cameras such as this one have the delayed shutter issue. Another note of annoyance on the PowerShot S family: they come with a wrist strap but no shoulder strap. I dont know what use a wrist strip is for a camera; if Im not using it then I want my hands free. I bought a generic shoulder strap but it wasnt a great fit. At least Canon should offer one as an extra-cost accessory. I still give this camera 4 stars for putting so many features in such a small package. The pictures are reasonably good, and at this size you can crop plenty out and still print good 4x6 inch images. The PowerShot S50 comes with software, but youll probably want to buy your own image editing package. The one provided is fairly limited. Useful software includes PhotoStitch, which allows you to make your own panaramic style images from a series of linked shots. The included CompactFlash card is also too small for typical use, so plan on buying a bigger card.
by: Anonymous On: 2003-12-10
I was concerned with two things regarding digital cameras: print quality and low light shots. This camera could not have performed any better for either criteria. I have stared at the shots developed on Shutterfly and I honestly cannot tell theyre digital. I also tested many different dark shots and it passed with flying colors. The automatic setup picks it up well, but the camera also has a ton of manual overrides in case you want to increase the exposure, etc.Only reason its not 5 out 5 stars is that I worry that the sliding plastic door will break off before Im through with the camera, and the software is not as user-friendly as Olympus. Overall, though, I am incredibly pleased with this camera!
by: Anonymous On: 2003-12-10
I have just bought S50 after contemplating for over 2 years over the benefit of digital photography over film photography. I am extremly happy with the results of the photographs - i got them printed at a local retail photography store. Few drawbacks that I noticed right out of the box -1. Flimsy lens cover -- need to be very careful in closing otherwise one might end up scrathing the body
2. 4-way controller difficult to operate for SET (or Enter) operation
3. Too much Red-eye during flash photography
4. Slower response during Continous drive mode -- (may be better when compared to other digital cameras but I am comparing with my Nikon N70/80/90 film cameras)
5. Add another $300 or more to your budget for high speed 512 MB CF card, camera cover, extra battery
6. Scratches on Black body are quite noticable
7. Tendency to slip - as with all metal body cameras But dont get disapponted by all these negative points - I just want everyone to be aware of these...overall a great camera in its league ...even my 3 yr old can shoot great pictures!!!
On: 2003-12-09
I have just bought S50 after contemplating for over 2 years over the benefit of digital photography over film photography. I am extremly happy with the results of the photographs - i got them printed at a local retail photography store. Few drawbacks that I noticed right out of the box -1. Flimsy lens cover -- need to be very careful in closing otherwise one might end up scrathing the body
2. 4-way controller difficult to operate for SET (or Enter) operation
3. Too much Red-eye during flash photography
4. Slower response during Continous drive mode -- (may be better when compared to other digital cameras but I am comparing with my Nikon N70/80/90 film cameras)
5. Add another $300 or more to your budget for high speed 512 MB CF card, camera cover, extra battery
6. Scratches on Black body are quite noticable
7. Tendency to slip - as with all metal body cameras But dont get disapponted by all these negative points - I just want everyone to be aware of these...overall a great camera in its league ...even my 3 yr old can shoot great pictures!!!
On: 2003-11-24
I have used many different film cameras Including a Canon body with EF lenses. This camera takes excellent pictures and has all of the functions of my $500 Canon body I bought 10 years ago. After reading some of the poor reviews on this site I was nervous about purchasing the camera, however after receiving it and taking some pictures, it is all Canon promises and more. I do get some out of focus pictures now and then but that is primarily due the the camera not being able to obtain an autofocus lock. Nothing inherently wrong with the camera and I always can override the autofocus with the manual and the pictures then come out excellently.I would recommend this camera for anyone who wants to be able to have the flexibility and quality to take very good pictures in a small format camera. The only downside is the fact I can not put my EF lenses on this fine little camera.
On: 2003-11-23
I have used many different film cameras Including a Canon body with EF lenses. This camera takes excellent pictures and has all of the functions of my $500 Canon body I bought 10 years ago. After reading some of the poor reviews on this site I was nervous about purchasing the camera, however after receiving it and taking some pictures, it is all Canon promises and more. I do get some out of focus pictures now and then but that is primarily due the the camera not being able to obtain an autofocus lock. Nothing inherently wrong with the camera and I always can override the autofocus with the manual and the pictures then come out excellently.I would recommend this camera for anyone who wants to be able to have the flexibility and quality to take very good pictures in a small format camera. The only downside is the fact I can not put my EF lenses on this fine little camera.
On: 2003-11-22
I never thought the day would arrive that I would abandon my Canon Rebel 35mm camera for a "digital....ugh..camera" but the Canon S50 has made me a true believer. I finally got fustrated trying to scan in all my 35 mm prints in order to "preserve my memories". Very time consumming, and I was never quit satisfied with the quality. So, after a lot of soul searching, and a lot of on-line reseacher reading countless reviews, I finally took a leap of faith and purchased the Canon S50. I couldnt be happier. This is an excellent camera for the serious amature, allowing for point and shoot capability or multiple features that allow one to adjust various settings. Ive had the camera for over 5 month now and dont have any regrets. The quailty of the pics is VERY VERY CLOSE to 35 mm and Ive enlarged prints to 20 x 30 with excellet results. I strongly recommend buying an extra battery and 512 MB Compact Flash Card. Also, www.shutterfly.com offers a tremendous service which allows one to utilize your new digital camerea to the fullest. Buy this camera and I highly doubt youll be disappointed!
On: 2003-11-22
I have owned the Powershot S50 since May 2003 and have been absolutely pleased with it. Pros:
1)Great Pictures= I always use full quality and when developed they look just like 35mm
2)Small form factor
3)Looks cheap(thieves arent interested)
4)Many features(too many for me an amateur photographer but im learning) Cons:
1)Had to replace LCD screen after 2 months of use (for some reason it cracked while in case and no history of dropping; Fortunately Canon replaced it free of charge, I just had to pay for shipping to the factory not from)
2)The little markers(stickers) on the function wheel seem to be peeling off. (I have no auto sticker and others are fading could be due to my sweaty palms) In summary I have enjoyed using this camera every minute. I would recommend it to anybody. The LCD screen didnt bother me b/c they fixed it within a week and a half. Enjoy!!
On: 2003-11-21
I have owned the Powershot S50 since May 2003 and have been absolutely pleased with it. Pros:
1)Great Pictures= I always use full quality and when developed they look just like 35mm
2)Small form factor
3)Looks cheap(thieves arent interested)
4)Many features(too many for me an amateur photographer but im learning) Cons:
1)Had to replace LCD screen after 2 months of use (for some reason it cracked while in case and no history of dropping; Fortunately Canon replaced it free of charge, I just had to pay for shipping to the factory not from)
2)The little markers(stickers) on the function wheel seem to be peeling off. (I have no auto sticker and others are fading could be due to my sweaty palms) In summary I have enjoyed using this camera every minute. I would recommend it to anybody. The LCD screen didnt bother me b/c they fixed it within a week and a half. Enjoy!!
On: 2003-11-11
I use a Canon G3 as my creative camera and got this for my carry-everywhere camera. What I like is that its modes and menus are almost identical to the G3s, and while the lens wont zoom as much as the larger cameras, the extra megapixel makes up for it in cropping.Picture quality is terrific and the ability to choose how much, or how little automation in a camera this size is refreshing. Highly recommended.
by: Anonymous On: 2003-11-10
Ive had this camera for more than six months, and after taking more 2,500 photos with this little gem, here is my 2 cents worth. It took me about a full month to get used to all its nuances. But if you are interested simply in "point and click,?a few hours should do the trick. The "auto?setting is more than enough for typical use. You wont regret this purchase.NEGATIVES: (mostly minor):
1) Battery meter. You only get a 2-minute warning, and then the camera shuts off. The battery life is pretty short if you use the LCD screen. The battery lasts about 2-4 hours depending the degree of use. (It takes about 1-1.5 hours to recharge).
2) Lens cover feels a little flimsy. Enough to cast a slight doubt about its durability. Although I have had no problems with this whatsoever so far.
3) It is not the smallest size in its class. In fact, it feels somewhat heavy, if you are used to ultra-small products. If you put the camera in your pants pocket, you definitely feel its weight. 4) There is no way to attach a camera filter to the lens. I had to improvise by manually holding a filter to the lens while I shoot. And the range of exposure time can be a bit wider. I occasionally need exposure times of a few minutes or longer, and that is not allowed with the S50.
5) The auto focus can get "fooled?in low light situations. You just have to be patient and work with it a little to get it right. Usually a repeat shot is all that is required. (If the subject is far away, I use~ manual focus and set it at infinite?) POSITIVES:
1) Picture quality ?this camera takes amazing, breath-taking pictures. I have never seen a camera like this which produces such professional quality photos so consistently! The color balance is simply spectacular. (For color balance, I use "vibrant?setting). The "auto?setting does its job admirably most of the time. I use the Canon printer i860, and the 8 x 10s will knock your socks off. Guaranteed. (With a 256 mb card and at "superfine? setting, you will get 99 photos).
2) Quality of product ?this may sound like a non-PC comment and a gross overgeneralization, but I love the fact that this product is not made in China. Many Chinese products that I have had simply broke down after a little use, and I always felt like I was getting ripped off. The camera is a Japanese product and the battery is a Korean product, so both are A-OK in my book.
3) Movie making ability ?Although not the highest resolution (and the limit is 3 min), the ability to make a movie is a nice touch. I have used this occasionally, and it is very useful at times! Good luck and have fun
by: Anonymous On: 2003-10-29
After MUCH research, I bought this camera. I was interested in picture quality above all else, and many of the reviews I read use this as a benchmark to which to compare other cameras. Sure enough, the pictures that Ive gotten look amazing both on the computer and printed out. My other concern was size... I never use my very fancy 35mm because it is just too big to carry around. While this camera is not the smallest in its class, it is the smallest one at that resolution to offer so much manual control. I dont care how small a camera is... if I cant fine tune the settings to get the picture that I want, its not worth carrying it. Some of the other cameras in the same class dont even allow you to control the flash, and very few offer full manual control, while this camera offers everything you can think of and more (not to mention a variety of automatic settings for quick snapshots). So, if you want HIGH quality pictures and know that you cant get this consistently without getting to know your f-stops and shutter speeds, but you also want a camera that fits in your pocket, you cant go wrong with this camera.
On: 2003-10-28
This was my first new digital camera in the last three years. In that time, the feature set and usability of a moderately-priced digital camera have improved dramatically.Just take the issue of reviewing your photos. On my old Olympus 3040, you had to switch the camera dial to "Review Mode" to look at the pictures you jus |
