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Canon PowerShot Pro Series S5 IS 8.0MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
By: Canon Average Rating: 4.5 Total Reviews: 370
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 On: 2008-07-05
Me and my wife have bought 3 digital cameras over the years always going with kodak easy shares. But this camera blows all others out of the water. We have never taken such nice pictures and all the extra functions are awesome. My wife really likes the color pic funtion. You will be very happy with this camera if you are a beginner to advanced photographer. We could not be happier with this camera.
 On: 2008-07-04
Ive been researching what camera I should get next for a couple of months before I settled for the Canon Powershot S5 IS. My priorities were a good optical zoom, taking pictures of moving objects, nighttime pictures and of course a decent price. You can take really good pictures in the color accent mode. In my opinion this camera was the best choice I could have made. The reason for not giving it five is the noise in some of the images taken in sports mode.
On: 2008-07-03
This is a great camera for the price. Its my first camera in the S range so I dont have the same history that other reviewers have. Almost everything is pro with the exception of a couple minor issues: Yes, the lens cap sucks - buy the conversion adapter (Canons or a metal one) and add a filter and cap. I like the idea of being able to take pictures while doing video but it freezes the video frame for a second and the click of the shutter is also recorded. I think there might be a way to turn that off but I have to investigate further. Otherwise, if you want a 12x zoom that can be used with 30 fps video (unusual) and a great digital camera, dont hesitate to get the S5.
On: 2008-07-02
I purchased this camera for my mother. She loves the thing to death. The only complaint I really have about it and I read in the reviews before purchasing was that the memory card slot is located in the same location as the batteries. Other then that the digital stabilization is magnificent, and the extra lenses that allow for Micro photography are a steal. If your looking for a cheap, but high Optical Zoom, and lens attachments, and dont mind auto focus this camera is for you.
On: 2008-07-01
If youre looking for high-quality photos that youll love straight out of the box with this camera, youre not going to get it. However, if you take the time to experiment with different ISO settings and modes, you will learn what works to deliver absolutely amazing photos.
Some hints:
Auto settings will fail you unless youre taking shots in broad daylight with nothing to correct for. I never use auto mode.
Experiment. Though it might seem counterintuitive, you can get great indoor moving shots with flash and an ISO of 100 to 200. Want to get a great shot of your kids or pets indoors without blur? I recommend shooting in AV mode with flash and an ISO setting of 100. You will be pleased with the result. Trying the same shot in auto will likely have you packing your S5 back into the box for return. Like I said, its not a great out-of-the-box camera, but it will delight the patient user.
The color swap and color accent modes are amazing, they work in just about any setting, and youll love the results. Its a very fun feature to play with, especially if youre just starting out.
Be patient with your S5. It really is a fabulous camera if you take the time to get to know it. It truly is worth looking through the instruction manual or checking out a how-to on YouTube.
Ive seen reviews debate whether the S5 is a good bridge between your typical point and shoot and an SLR. Youll find conflicting opinions, but personally, I think its great. To use this camera, youll have to learn about settings, ISOs and so forth, and this can only serve you well with the SLR later on when you decide youre ready.
One of my favorite features is the one-touch video. You wont miss a great clip because youre fumbling with settings, you merely push a button and it begins recording! When youre done, you can go right back to snapping photos. I think Canon really knew what they were doing here.
More megapixels on a point and shoot camera doesnt deliver better image quality. To accomplish this, the camera would also need a bigger sensor. Too many megapixels can equate to noisy or grainy images without a corresponding larger sensor. Dont be fooled. Unless youre printing photos larger than an 8x10, a 6MP will do everything you need it to. And frankly, without an SLR, most enlargements beyond 8x10 are going to look noisy anyhow.
If youre deciding between the S3 and the S5, dont let the megapixels decide for you. The only real difference in my opinion is the larger LCD screen on the S5. Its pretty huge as far as digital camera LCDs go, which gives you a better idea of how the photo will print, so its nice for that reason. Still, the S3 has a decent size display for this purpose and its a lot cheaper. Really it depends on how much a big LCD means to you.
It is a pretty solid camera. Some people think its bulky and prefer a lighter, thinner camera. Personally, when Im holding a camera, I want to feel like Im holding a good piece of equipment, and the S5 delivers.
PROS:
With a vast array of shooting modes and ISO settings, you can get some absolutely amazing photos out of this camera.
Startup time from "ON" to capture is very fast.
Photo capture responds very fast.
With features like color swap and color accent, you can be really creative and create beautiful professional-looking photos right out of your camera.
One-click video recording.
Uses SD cards - cheaper and easier to find than XD.
Uses four AA batteries and you can get a LOT of life out of these. Nice thing about AAs is that if you run out or forget yours, you can get a pack anywhere. The S5 uses FOUR of them, but they do last a good long while.
Video clarity is great, even in settings where bright light is not available. With my previous digital camera, indoor videos were mostly impossible without direct blazing sunlight coming through a window.
CONS:
Not a good out-of-the-box camera, requires knowledge of ISO and modes.
High ISO = image noise and grainy photos.
If you dont learn your settings, you can end up with some seriously blurred images.
The batteries and SD card share a space, which Im not so thrilled about. Mostly this is because the door is a bit flimsy and awkward to open and close.
Lens cap pops off and is prone to getting lost unless you attach it to the camera.
Bottom line, there are really only two reasons you would be disappointed with the S5 and they are:
1. Youre looking for the kind of quality that only a professional DSLR can offer (in which case I would recommend the Nikon D60) or
2. You want a camera that you dont have to do anything with in terms of learning about shooting modes and ISO settings. This camera will not produce great shots in Auto mode.
A note on Canons software - it is HUGE, and you probably wont use most of it, especially if you already have a photo editing program.
On: 2008-07-01
I have been using this camera to take bird pictures and it has performed superbly. I can take a picture of a bird across the street high in a tree and zoom in on it and you can see the eye lashes.....literally! An amazing camera and I know nothing about how to take pictures or adjust the settings on a camera. I just put it on Auto and zoom in and press the shutter. I love it!
On: 2008-06-30
I used this camera in Prague along with my Leica D-luxE. Great travel partners. The camera is a trooper and functions very well at night and in he early morning. The 2X function of the telephoto functions very well for close ups. I highly recommend this camera to anyone who likes to have a multifunction point and shoot camera. It is extremely reliable and quite compact. I have not tried the movie function but did get an 8GB memory card and will try it in my next photography cruise to Alaska.
On: 2008-06-30
I had a Canon "point and shot". My friend suggest the S5 IS to me. I really enjoy this one. Once I learn aperture, shuttle speed, and exposure, I would appreciate more from it. Of course, my non-tech wife uses the "auto" for her shooting, very easily.
 On: 2008-06-28
I have a Powershot S2IS and it is now pretty much useless and Im not the only one with the problem.
Evidently there was problem in the S1 model which Canon issued a recall on. But not the S2 though it is the same problem. I have to slap my battery case flap shut to just take ONE pic. Canon refuses to address the issue. It is a recurring one in multiple models I believe. They keep coming out with new versions of the same problem. I have totally sworn off Canon.
 On: 2008-06-23
The camera was great until the "Lens Error, Restart Camera" aka "e18 Error" killed the camera five months in. Canon will not fix the camera. Canon has a reliability and customer support issue, it seems. I would not recommend any Canon at this time.
On: 2008-06-21
Great little camera that does so much. Like all the features with the exception of the fact that the lens cap doesnt stay on like I would like it to. Maybe its just me. Movies are excellent and the eight megapixel pictures are easy to work with. With the four gig card I put in, I can shoot a thousand pictures and over an hour of movies.
Worth the money I paid.
Mike
On: 2008-06-20
I really enjoy this camera, even though I purchased it for my wife. The intent was to take macro photos of her soaps that she has for sale, and for that purpose, the camera works great. Really needs a light-box though, and luckily I was able to snap one together real quick. For other photos, really this camera is a blast too. Its quick, on both bootup and saving pictures. Wish I could figure out how to turn the flash off, though - and not get the message "raise flash".
That said, the only "negative" thing I would have to say about it is that the lens cap comes off far too easily.
On: 2008-06-20
The camera had many features I wanted in a digital such as fast shooting and adjustable focus while shooting videos. But there were too many things about it that I did not like. Some of there are it was very bulky, the buttons were awkard to use and worst of all, it took too many blurry pictures. It was not packaged very well and was sliding around in the box that it was shipped in from Amazon. The $20.00 book and memory card were packaged better. That was disappointing, I would have expected Amazon to take more precautions with expensive electronics. The low review cannot be completely attributed to the camera at this time because of the poor packaging and potential damage it received while in transit.
On: 2008-06-19
This is a great camera for someone who loves the convenience of point and shoot cameras, but is interested in taking total control of the camera.
On: 2008-06-18
Very flexible camera with lots of features and modes. I havent used all of them but the manual and macro modes work well. I am no photographer so please refer to dpreviews.com for more technical details. But whatever modes I have tried, seems to work as expected and the results are good.
The flip-out LCD is a blessing. My previous A95 also had one, and I cant be more happy with that. It helps in taking shots over crowds and different angles.
Cons:
* Battery indicator only flashes when you are almost out of battery. I would have expected it to show the battery indicator throughout, so that I can atleast plan carrying another battery. Now I have to always carry another set. This was problem with my older A95 as well, so it seems like a common Canon non-feature.
* Size. Almost as big as an SLR, but with 12x zoom and all the features, I dont expect it to be any smaller.
* Zooming in at full 12x gets you a bit grainy pictures, I think higher ISO issue. And I am not sure if any non-SLR camera can get good zoom photos. And even with a SLR I believe you would need a telephoto lens.
On: 2008-06-17
With over 700 reviews on this camera, there is little I can add. I read MANY of these reviews before purchasing, both on amazon and other sites. I also read reviews on other cameras. I finally made my purchase decision for the Cannon S5IS and I have no complaints. I read the chatter about pixel noise and this and that. And Im sure that at the upper end of photography this is very important. But Im your basic dad looking for good vacation and family photos. Im looking for above average performance and flexibility with good value. This camera provides all of that. The price point cant be beat considering all the features. And the photos are great. They look awesome on my 20" monitor and superb in 4x6 prints. Color rendition is excellent. My previous (cheaper) point & shoot cameras required virtually every picture to be color adjusted. This Canon looks great every time. I dont use any in-camera editing features as I find editing software sooo much easier. But even there I havent needed to do much editing (except maybe to crop out my brother-in-law when he stuck his head into my shot of the Grand Canyon, but I digress).
Features I like are the ease of going from full auto to full manual or anything in between. Manual controls are intuitive. I like the smart-rotation feature and flexible LCD screen. I love the 12x optical zoom, though I will agree that at the "slow" zoom speed it is a bit touchy and hard to get precise.
All the complaints about the lens cap falling off are over-rated. Yes, it is not very secure, but I cant tell you how many times I turned it on with lens cap on. You will too. So Im glad it pops off easy and doesnt strain the motor. In normal use and carrying around, I did not find a problem the cap spontaneously falling off. A few times. No big.
I was a little concerned about 4AA battery life. I use rechargeables and I can report I got several hundred pictures before batteries died. So two sets, one in camera and one charging, should be all you need. I will say one thing, the camera does not give much warning when batteries are nearly exhausted. The low-bat warning came on and like 2 shots later the camera turned off. So do keep those spares handy.
Overall I am VERY happy with this camera. I tried several models out at a store, Sony, Nikon, etc. This one offered the most, cost the least and had the nicest feel. Overall I am very happy with it and dont hesitate to recommend it for great family photos, vacations, or random shots of the dog playing with your little niece.
On: 2008-06-16
The Canon S5IS is a great product and pretty much is the same as its previous version the S3S.
Although it is not a small camera, the camera is easy to hold and shoot.
Great picture clarity except when shooting in low light.
Overall it is a great camera and worth every penny.
On: 2008-06-16
I have had my camera for about a month and a half now, and Im totally pleased with the pictures it takes! The zoom is amazing and doesnt get as grainy as others I have used in the past. The battery life (uses 4 AA batteries) is remarkable and much better than I had expected. Has the ability to take pictures while shooting video (although you end up with a freeze frame in your video). The only thing I would like that I dont believe this camera has (if it does, I havent found it yet) is the ability to shoot in black and white instead of just converting it afterward. The red eye reduction on the camera works like a charm! After youve taken the picture, go into the settings and watch the red eyes disappear!
On: 2008-06-14
My camera S2 was recently stolen, and I was devastated - at the loss of my photos and the equipment. However, they dont sell the S2 in stores any more, so I had to look at the S3 and S5 for something comparable. Unfortunately, I was not prepared to spend $350 on a new one. Then I started looking for refurbished units on ebay and Amazon, and didnt find anything for less than $279. I looked for weeks, not prepared to spend that. Then one night, I was checking in, not expecting to see anything new, but, like a beacon of light, I saw this deal from PhotoWorld. A factory sealed Canon refurb for $189 - TOTAL! I am so happy with the camera and the quick service, and feel the need to HIGHLY recommend this seller. Thanks again PhotoWorld!
On: 2008-06-13
I saved more than $65 over the Wal Mart cost (price + tax) and received the item on the second day. The S5 IS camera takes great pictures and video.
On: 2008-06-13
This is one great camera with all the features.
The quality of the images is excellent. Very close
to a digital SLR camera. I strongly recommend this.
On: 2008-06-12
The Canon PowerShot Pro S5 IS is a solid camera, but do not confuse it with a real DSLR like its big brothers in the Canon line or competitors such as the Nikon D60, D80 or D300.
The S5, despite its mini-DSLR style, is still a point n shoot camera, albeit one that is of very high build quality and loaded with features.
Major shortcomings first: images are noisier than in some competitors down to ISO 100. This is, frankly, unexpected at this price and in this brand. Start-up and shot-to-shot recycling times are still on the slightly slow side. Expect to miss a lot of critical moments as you would with any other point n shooter. The camera is a bit on the heavy side, though this is consistent with the build quality (I think) and the use of AA batteries. On the whole, not a long list and nothing serious.
On the plus side, there several features I consider outstanding and unique. The video quality (with stereo microphones) is nothing less than astounding. A friend of mine has been making videos for YouTube of music club performances, handheld with harsh club lighting and they are surprisingly good. I have been very impressed with the videos Ive made under a variety of conditions. I suspect many people like having a video capability in their still camera. I know I do and appreciate that I dont have to carry a separate device. The zoom range is terrific, the Image Stabilization (IS) works while in video mode, which is very welcome and very important and you can zoom while in video mode. All in all, if you appreciate having a video capability, a good reason to buy the camera.
The Canon LCD display can be set in many positions, with its unique hinging system. You can hold the camera overhead or ground level. You can flip it over for use as a monitor when doing photos or videos of yourself. (A particularly handy gadget to use when youre on vacation or otherwise want to include yourself in images is the Quik Pod Pro-Plus Extendable Handheld Tripod (18-inch) with Accessory Kit - for Canon Powershot, Casio, Epson, Fuji Finepix, HP, Kodak Easyshare, Minolta, Nikon Coolpix, Olympus Stylus, Panasonic, Pentax Optio & Sony Cybershot Digital Point & Shoot Cameras.) There is also an optical viewfinder. I find this combination in many Canon cameras an unbeatable feature.
There is, unusually for a camera of this class, a hotshoe for external flashes. Adding an external flash will provide tremendous improvement to the range and versatility of your camera in almost all photographic situations. Ever wonder why the pros always use and external flash? Its because it helps them turn out better photos. Even a low power external flash will work wonders and the S5 is one of the few cameras in this range to permit you to use one.
The S5 uses AA batteries. Many will argue that this is an old-fashioned approach. Not me. On too many occasions (one is actually one too many), I have had run out of juice with lithium ion battery powered cameras. Nothing is more frustrating then a camera that is without power. AA batteries are available worldwide, are relatively inexpensive and relatively lightweight. Again, I consider the use of AA batteries in the S5 to be an advantage and a reason to buy the camera. A set will last for 150 -200 shots.
In terms of general features, image quality is excellent, with ISO available up to 1600. Noise starts at ISO 100 and becomes progressively worse at higher ISOs. This is normal for this kind of camera.
Color rendition is excellent. I havent yet notice any purple fringing which is relatively common in cameras of this kind.
There are more than 20 pre-set shooting parameters, more frankly than you will ever be likely to use or even remember. There is - bless Canon - full manual control available. This is a real camera!
The controls are well laid out and, even with my large hands, I had no difficulty manipulating any of the controls. Menus are intelligently done and easy to navigate. There is a separate button for video which is a nice, but necessary, touch.
Focus at all ranges is pretty quick, though I have encountered some occasional hunting.
Lens range is typical for a 12x. Be nicer if the bottom end were the equivalent of a 28mm, not 35mm.
There is competition in this price and feature range. Panasonic offers the Lumix FZ18 which offers an 18x zoom with a 28mm equivalent bottom range. It is worth considering, but lacks the Canon swivel display and video zoom capabilities.
Overall the Canon S5 is an undeniably fine camera for its price range. It is absolutely not a DSLR and anyone wanting the feel of a traditional 35mm SLR and the ability to grab instant pictures should seriously consider spending far more and buying a DSLR. Within its limitations, however, the Canon S5, in my opinion, sits at the top of its class and should be seriously considered.
Jerry
On: 2008-06-12
This (Canon Powershot S5IS) is my first Canon still photo camera (I own a Canon video camera) and was pleasantly surprised with ease of operation and pleased with the results. Out of the box, with minimal instruction, I was taking decent photos. As my knowledge of the camera increased, the quality of my photos increased as well. (I guess it really pays to read the instruction book.) I was pleased with the quality of photos taken as well as the number of features available. While I may never use each and every one with great skill and proficiency, as my knowledge increases so does the daring to try more. I had only recently had point and shoot digital cameras so while I could not quite afford a DSLR, this Canon Powershot S5IS is easily the next step down from a DSLR but it does not step down on quality. Overall, aside from certain learning mistakes (operator error), photos were crisp, clean and detailed. FYI: The image stabilization is excellent. If your budget is in-between a pocket point-and-shoot and a DSLR but you need high quality photos, this is worth the money! Also, insider note: If you buy this camera from Amazon, shop the prices in the wee hours of the morning. For some reason their prices are cheaper in the wee hours of the night (1:30am-4:30am)than during daylight hours. Go figure
On: 2008-06-11
This camera is an exceptional value at the current price. The other reviews and technical data will make it clear what an impressive set of features this camera possesses. I wanted a camera that used AAs, had a high zoom and powerful macro, and offered a top-of-its-class movie mode. The Canon S5 gives me all of these. It also has full manual control and a multitude of settings, and you would do well to learn how to use them. Auto mode generally does "okay" but you can always get a better picture by tailoring the settings to the situation.
It is important to understand that a "bridge" or "mid-range" camera is not necessarily "mid-way" between a $100 point-and-shoot and a dSLR in picture quality. The S5 is more like a point-and-shoot model which has been enclosed in a dSLR body. What youre getting is not a low-end dSLR, so much as a high-end point & shoot. Nevertheless, the S5 can take some amazing pictures. Like every Canon Ive used, the S5 has excellent color and exposure and does well at preserving fine detail. Check out the Canon S5 page at flickr for samples of the beautiful images skilled photographers have gotten from this camera. Although it may only have a point-and-shoot heart, the controls permit you to coax some incredible details and effects.
However, the limited sensor size of the S5 (compared with a true dSLR) does mean high image noise at relatively low ISO, as most reviewers have noted. Canon has opted not to include aggressive noise reduction in this model. Thankfully, Neat Image does a perfect job 90% of the time cleaning up noise from anything you want to view or print at larger than postcard size.
Ive seen pictures from three similar cameras (owned by my colleagues at work: the Sony DSC H9, Fuji S100 (which actually is priced considerably higher than the S5), plus one more the name of which escapes me. All three were good cameras and had their virtues, but overall I preferred the color of the S5 and the class-leading movie mode.
I also wish the S5 had a true wide-angle, but it is possible to buy a lens that goes to 28mm (35 mm equivalent). Image stabilization on the S5 has satisfied me and made it possible to shoot decent telephoto without a tripod. The f-stop range is enough to enable decent blurring of the background for close-ups, which is something you usually cant do with lower-priced P&Ss.
I also like that control over several features (ISO, flash, focus, etc) has been moved to the body. I may not like where some of the buttons ended up, but the body does not feel cluttered and its nice not to have to go hunting for the control in a menu.
The electronic viewfinder has gotten some criticism for its low resolution, but I wanted a viewfinder and Im glad the S5 has one. Its convenient to have it for when ambient lighting washes out the LCD. It also enables you to compose your pictures with the camera held against your face for additional stabilization. I assume it consumes less power than the LCD, too, making it an attractive option if youre trying to husband battery power.
I dont really watch the digital camera market closely, but I expect within a year were going to see mid-range models step up to larger sensors which truly will bring them closer to dSLRs in their picture quality. If you can wait for the next generation of cameras, it might be worth it to save your money till then. But if you need to have something now (I did!) the S5 is a great value and you should enjoy learning to get the most out of it.
On: 2008-06-11
I just purchased this camera last week and love it. I am not an amature photographer, just a regular mom that loves to take pictures of the kids. The camera was so easy to work out of the box. The pictures are great even in specific settings. The Auto mode works great also. I have a Canon Powershot A520 that I upgraded from to this camera. I loved using my A520 but it didnt have any zoom capabilities and would blur a good bit of the time when it wasnt in the Auto mode. The S5 is a little bulky, but not to the point that you cant use it. Overall a very good camera for someone that loves to take good pictures without the big price tag of the more professional cameras.
On: 2008-06-09
This is a great camera at a great price. I am a novice photographer and I love the pictures this camera produce. The photos do come out a little dark, but Im sure once I am familiar with the functions I will be able to fix that. Overall I am very satisfied.
On: 2008-06-09
This camera is a tough one to knock in any way. Right out of the box it is a pleasure to use. The photos are sharp if taken properly. Now for those who have knocked the fact that the lens cap comes off easily. First of all that is to protect the zoom mechanism. This can be eliminated by purchasing a LA-DC58E Conversion Lens Adapter for the camera. Not only does it allow a better hold on the camera for zooming it also lets you put on a haze or UV filter to protect your lens. A secure 58mm lens cap would then be used to protect the filter and lens. Not much of a big deal for such a fine camera. You would have to pay a great deal more and probably not ever use all the extras that a SLR might have over this camera. Great deal for the money!
On: 2008-06-09
I bought camera for wife and its a great camera and takes great pictures. She took some at my grandsons ball game and you can see the ball after he hit it leaving the bat. She wanted a slr camera tho and I wish i had of bought one. Maybe later.
On: 2008-06-09
I love this camera it is a very nice addition to my Rebel XSI. It has a lot of cool settings and features. What I love the most is the viewfinder screen because you can shoot with it out, you can flip the screen to snap it place and when you view pics when you turn the camera your picture turns as well very cool. The only con to this camera is the noise when using the 2.0 digital I highly recommend the converter lens to get rid of that issue but other than that I am a happy camper.
On: 2008-06-09
This is a first class camera. It is a big step up from the typical point and shoot cameras. In fact, it is a mid range camera. Furthermore, there is no other camera in that range that can touch it.
Are you looking for a "real" digital camera at a reasonable price? Buy this one.
David
On: 2008-06-08
This camera is very user friendly, and takes crisp, clear pictures.
I especially like the 2.5 inch LCD. I would recommend this camera for anyone in the market for a mid priced digital camera.
On: 2008-06-05
I got this camera for my wife as an anniversary gift. So far she loves it. The only real complaint is that the battery compartment cover is very awkward.
 On: 2008-06-05
I have been looking and researching cameras for months. i finally settled on the S5 because of the zoom and all the features(almost an SLR)and the beautiful customer images and the reviews.
Every time i used the full zoom my pictures were blurry. I did not like the digital view finder and the camera was just too much for me and i think i will return it.
Im not saying this isnt a good camera. im just having a hard time with it. it takes great pictures and im sure mine would have been a lot better if i knew what i was doing. it just seems too complicated for me.
i thing ill go for something not quite as complicated.
On: 2008-06-04
Its been 6 months since I bought this camera and its been great. Pictures taken indoors with "auto" mode + flash are not that great under low light. I use "Portrait" mode often to shoot my infant kid - the main reason I bought this camera. This mode is awesome. Red eye reduction works great. Optical zoom is awesome. I never mastered the way to take good pictures in super-macro mode, though some pictures of my kid taken using super-macro mode came out perfect.
Movie button is handy. Movie clips taken during day and with good lighting are really good. I make DVDs out of the avi files and the good picture quality has prevented me from buying a camcorder till date.
I started with 2 GB Sandisk Extreme3 SD card and moved to 8 GB Extreme3 to shoot larger video files. I feel the 8 GB card slows down the camera a bit when taking pictures rapidly.
I gave 3 stars for poor Amazon packaging. There was not enough cushioning and the moisturizer that I had ordered along with the camera popped open and the cream was all over. So far the camera is working fine.
On: 2008-06-04
We bought this camera because we were fed up with the delay on our old digital camera. We have been so impressed with what this camera can do and the amazing pictures we get. Many of our pix look professional. We have two children that wont sit still long enough to pose, but with this camera it isnt necessary. We love it!
On: 2008-06-03
I enjoy this camera and find the clarity of the pictures are what I need for my purposes. There are a few things that trouble me when shooting however. The first is quite frustrating, and that is the refresh rate of shooting the second shot. It seems to take way too long before I can shoot another shot. The second is the lense cap which so many people have commented on. It is too easy to knock off. I would also like more lenses and accessories available for this camera. You could also add a little more weight to it for better stabilization. Other than these few details, I really enjoy this camera.
On: 2008-05-31
First off let me say that I am quite satisfied with my camera. But I must add to the complaints regarding the battery compartment cover. Its awkward, difficult to open and close at times...I really hate this aspect of the camera. The other issue is the lens cap and its low quality - doesnt stay on well at all. Oh...also not fond of the ultra sensitive zoom. All in all these are not major complaints but they certainly should be addressed due to the price of this camera.
On: 2008-05-31
I recently purchased the Canon S5 (unfortunately not from Amazon as I wasnt interested in waiting 1-2 months, instead I purchased it from Circuit City for the same price as Amazon). Ive taken a couple hundred photos with this machine and I am utterly amazed. I think the most amazing part of the camera comes in its zoom. Between the optical and the digital zoom, you can get a 48X zoom on any subject (unfortunately at 48X the image quality is sub-par). Im also very fascinated with the amount of features/control that the camera allows its users. The camera has 22 different shooting modes and several of these are "creative zone" modes meaning that the user has a greater control over the cameras parameters such as white balance, aperture, shutter speed, and the like. If youre looking to step up from the point and shoot cameras but not ready to pay the price for d-SLRs, this is great camera for you.
On: 2008-05-30
This is my 5th non-DSLR camera (I take thousands of pictures a year with cameras and tend to go through them quickly). I have had Fujifilms and Nikons but this is my first Canon. I knew my next camera would be a Canon after borrowing my moms camera and seeing the great skin tones and beautiful pictures it produced.
After shooting with the camera for only one day I am very impressed with the picture quality. You know right away how beautiful the pictures are turning out just by seeing them on the large, bright crisp LCD the S5 is equipped with.
Operation is fast and near-instant.
This camera has everything I wanted - the flipping LCD, hotshoe, high optical zoom, black body, ability to add nicer lenses, and image stabilization. The bonus is the stereo sound recording and the ability to zoom while shooting video. I prefer a camera to camcorders and since I will never carry both, this camera allows me to still shoot reasonably high quality footage of my kids.
The battery compartment is indeed a pain to close, but I consider this a minor tradeoff for this camera. I do wish is shot RAW out of the box, but there are workarounds for this...
On: 2008-05-30
I read thru the reveiws of this camera and others, and talked with freinds that had cameras of different makes and decided I wanted a camera with at least a 10X zoom. I am not an expert and wanted a camera that was almost automatic that I could learn on. Canons S5 seemed to be what I was looking for. I have had the camera for almost a month now and I am very happy with it. Excellant Camera, would and have recommended this camera to freinds.
On: 2008-05-29
No doubt that the camera is the Best.
+ves - Sharp images, nice zoom, many modes,
-ves - Night performance is not good, bulky
But overall, I like the camera.
On: 2008-05-29
Ive had the S5 for nearly a year now, with hundreds of photos and find it a good balance between the power of an SLR and the portability of compact cameras. Ive used SLRs for years, and miss many of their features, but not their weight and physical size while traveling. The S5 with its 10x optical zoom, adjustable LCD display, flip up flash, and with optional filter holder, does 90% of my old SLR functions, but 1/4 the carrying case space and weight.
Image quality is quite good, and the optics, including the optical "shake" reduction, are well balanced between lens size and compactness.
I have the filter holder, which allows use with standard 58mm filters, like polarized, UV, tinted, etc. This adds SLR-type features that more compact cameras cannot do, yet still keeps this camera well under the size of an SLR.
Personally also, I prefer the S5s use of AA batteries, as they can be found world-wide, so can be used without carrying a charger around. I use the AA Lithium (non-rechargeable) and get >500 shots off one set. Im only on my second set in all this time.
I would have rated it 5 stars, but only a SLR digital could get that from me! I miss hand focusing, improved depth of field, and manual F-stops that only SLR lenses can provide. Also, the menu options are elaborate and difficult to locate quickly, a problem with most digital cameras (where is iCamera!) But they are very complete and provide much control, even though you probably will end up in automatic mode most of the time!
Russell
On: 2008-05-29
Being a camera buff for many decades now, purchased this camera as a gift for our daughter. Decision factors included the optical zoom, quality, ease of use and comfort with the form factor. Needless to say she has been delighted with her gift and has taken over 1500 shots since purchase. The 12X zoom is superb and was put to good use at one of recent outdoor concerts. Would definitely recommend it.
On: 2008-05-27
I bought the camera for its zooming ability. Its surpassed my expections. I would definintely recommend it. The picture quality is really good. Zooming really close works better with a tri-pod, I cant seem to be still without the picture blurring at maximum zoom. It has a lot of features. Overall I would give it an A!
On: 2008-05-27
This is definitely an awesome camera for the price. I paid $270 for it, I think it is worth twice the price. The image quality is excellent, the zoom (12x) is incredible. The only thing is that it eats up batteries like crazy. I usually go through 2 sets of rechargeable a day (2900 mAh and 2700 mAh. Thinking of buying another 2 sets. I DEFINITELY recommend this camera.
I wrote a review about it on Mean PC (http://meanpc.com/digital-cameras/38-digital-cameras/45-canon-powershot-s5-is.html).
On: 2008-05-24
Superb camera. Great pictures. My excuse for getting a new camera was that I planned to visit the Dan Diego Zoo and Wild animal Park and knew that the animals would be too far away for decent shots with my Canon A720. The 36-432 equivalent zoom on the S5 IS was just what I needed. I briefly considered the Nikon P80, which has approximately the same lens coverage, but it uses proprietary batteries instead of AAA batteries and costs almost [...] more and Amazon.com was offering a great deal.
Once the camera was out of the box, I took two test shots. The rear of my apartment building has a gate with a warning sign. I stood 30 feet away and took a shot at 36mm. Then I took the same shot at full 432mm. Handheld. I printed a 300x blowup of each. Both were tack sharp with the smallest lettering being readable. The 432mm image showed no noticeable camera shake. The IS system really works.
Canons menu system and controls are extremely user-friendly. Macros? Just press a button on the left side of the camera body. Hold the button for a bit longer and you are in Super-Macro mode. Want to shoot a movie? Just press the Movie button next to the viewfinder. Want a still photo while you are shooting that movie? Just press the Shutter. Speaking of viewfinders (yes, it has a diopter adjustment) I use a viewfinder almost exclusively - a holdover from my days with 35mm Nikons - zoom focussing in the viewfinder is often slow, requiring pressing the Shutter button part-way down. My only other complaint is the battery/memory card door. It is awkward to close.
But the images are wonderful. Get yourself a large memory card because at maximum resolution, images will be in the 3MB range. Costco had a SanDisk Ultra II 4GB with an included USB adaptor for [...]. The adaptor was handy because the card reader on my old Epson printer didnt recognize the new card
On: 2008-05-24
I am thoroughly happy with the overall performance and results of this camera. It is definitely a step above compact digital point-and-shoot cameras and if I ever do upgrade the only way to go is to a Digital SLR because there is no way I would ever go back to a compact point-and-shoot camera.
The optical zoom is very good and even with the digital zoom the pictures are beautiful and detailed. I love that the camera has "Super Macro" mode and the "Stitch Assist" feature is great for landscape and scenery photographs. The "Face Detect" feature works very great especially for those photographs of more than one person. Just so you know, the flash is not automatic which is actually a great feature because it takes the need out of turning the flash "off" when it is not needed. The added hot-shoe for a possible additional flash keeps your options open. Lest we forget too that the stability of the camera is just wonderful.
I have had no issues or problems with the camera working and responding correctly and quickly. The only minor, and I mean minor, thing is that the camera lens cap easily comes off. Considering all of my options, I opted for this camera because of the amount of features, options, the canon name and reputation, and workability of the camera.
On: 2008-05-23
Ive been searching for a camera around this same price range for the past five years. I ended up selling them or giving them away to my family but finally I found one that is the best, and takes gorgeous pictures. I highly recommend it. I have it now for 2 months and so far I find absolutely no faults or weaknesses.
On: 2008-05-22
I love this camera. It is easy to use and produces excellent results. Pictures taken indoors in an auditorium are very good. It is easy to change the modes to see which one gives you the best results.
As in other reviews, yes the lens cap comes off easily, but not to the extent I read in other reivews. I purchased the camera bag to got with the camera and I did not like it. The bag was too small.
On: 2008-05-22
I am by no means a photographer but this camera has made me look good! Its amazingly easy to use and the pictures are phenomenal. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for all the quality of a really expensive camera at a reasonable price!
On: 2008-05-20
I upgraded from the S3. Most people would not need to do this but I had to have the larger screen. I would have given it 5 stars if it had a 3" screen. New version probably on the way out with a 3" screen DOH! I love the fact that you can use AA batteries in this unit. I always keep spares in my camera bag. Both the S3 and S5 take excellent pictures for point and shooter like me. My friends have commented that some of my pics should be on posters and I am a complete novice for sure.
On: 2008-05-19
I am very happy with this camera. I purchased it for the sports feature and even though I am still learning I like what I have seen. I also like the fact I can switch to the black/white feature. There are many features I still need to learn but am looking foward to it. The only thing I am not real thrilled with is the size, it is bigger than I am used to. I knew this before purchasing it but I prefer a size with a wrist strap more than a neck strap. Other than that I am happy with the camera.
On: 2008-05-19
This camera is a great value with the quality and options found on more expensive models. If you seek more than point & shoot but you dont want to immediately jump into the deep end , this is the place to go.
On: 2008-05-16
What a wonderful camera for in between beginner and expert! The only thing about it that Im not so happy about is the lens cap falls off easily. Fast shutter speed. Great features!
On: 2008-05-15
Muy buena cámara, su zoom es muy poderoso por lo que es recomendable comprar adicionalmente un tripode para poder utilizarlo al máximo.
On: 2008-05-15
I love this camera. The sport shots Ive taken with this camera have really turned out nice. Im a little disappointed in shots taken inside on the Auto setting, they tend to be dark. Im new at using the camera, so I might be doing something wrong. I would prefer an auto flash, but this doesnt have it. You have to manually flip up the flash. I think for the price, and the features you get with this camera, its a good buy. I would buy it again!
On: 2008-05-15
Have you ever felt like a Hollywood Star? Well, the Canon Powershot S5 IS can give you that feeling in a gathering. Since I bought this camera in December08 there has not been a time people have not asked me this question, "where did you buy this camera?". Once I give my answer, what follows next is "wow,thats a nice camera".
This camera is excellent! It takes quality pictures. I love the vedeo recording function. It takes up to ONE HOUR of video. We take our family pictures using the auto-shot function without asking a friend.
I highly recommend it to any one who is looking for a camera that gives you the value of your money. Im still learning how to use the other features, but I have not have ANY problem with this camera.
On: 2008-05-13
Ive had this camera for about 2 months now. Overall, very satisfied with the performance other than the noise level when using ISO>800. Great movie mode w/ the ability to take stills while recording a movie (this is the main reason I didnt get a full DSLR). The S5 got even better with the addition of a Sunpak PZ40 flash and lensmateonline.com adapter w/ Raynox 6600 wide angle converter. I recommend this set up for anyone not needing a DSLR.
On: 2008-05-12
I upgraded from an Powershot AS70 to this camera so the jump was quite a big one. What a wonderful camera. The shutter lag is immensely shorter. Ive only had the camera for 2 weeks so dont have a lot to say except that I recommend it completely.
On: 2008-05-10
I own several Canon cameras not because I am loyal, but because they have been good products. I had read about problems with battery life and the battery cover being plastic and also covering the memory card on the S5. I have found that the battery life is fine (NiMH), and after installing a 8GB memory card, I am not sure why I would need to change it. It holds about a years worth of pictures (2000+) and if you shoot movies, you can film for an hour. This makes a plastic cover a non-issue if it was one to start. I manage the memory card through the USB slot.
Camera operation is easy (after you master all the features), and the picture quality if good even when using the digital zoom. The dedicated movie button is very convenient.
This is my snapshot camera so I am not concerned with minor technical variations. None have stood out to me. Focusing and IS work well, and I love being able to zoom when making movies. Some cameras dont.
Now for a few things to consider. You cant imprint the time/date on the picture. They dont claim you can, but it would be nice. Nikons do.
My camera gives no reasonable warning about the battery charge. It displays a warning message, and then quits. Have charged batteries at the ready.
Be careful with low light pictures at high zooms (S5 is 12X). This is a problem with all zoom cameras including the S5. The good news is that the flash works very well. If you want to use an external flash (dont buy one until you have tried the built-in), make sure it is one of the ones compatible with the S5. Others work, but arent as tightly integrated.
Rather than having a lens cover that pops off easily (lens extension), I would rather they have disabled turning power on if the lens cover were attached.
This camera is complicated which also means powerful. It is for the advanced amateur, but can be used as point-and-shoot which wastes many of its capabilities. I am personally quite happy with the unit.
On: 2008-05-09
I just got this camera yesterday. So far, I think it is great with some amazing features. The zoom feature is outstanding. I cant believe how far I can zoom. Most of the pictures I have taken are crisp and clear. When I messed around with some of the settings though, some were a bit blurry but Im sure that is just me trying to figure out all the features and settings of the camera. When we were shopping around for a camera, one of the biggest things we were looking for was shutter speed. We wanted a camera that can take several pictures fast withing a second or two. This camera is pretty good with that, but again, when I messed around with the settings, I must have made it slow down. Of course, this can be fixed by going back to the default settings which is very easy. My main problems which are very small is that the direcions are very confusing. Im basically learning how to operate the camera and the features by messing around with it myself. I tried to read the instructions, but it is very confusing since there are so many features. Another small problem Im having is that we cant figure out how to attatch the lens cover and its strap to the actual camera. The lens cap also seems to come off very easily so if you buy this camera, be sure you have it on the right way and dont let small kids get near it. I also dont know how long regular batteries will last, but the camera itself came with 4 AA batteries that died out very quickly so they may have been cheap batteries, or maybe the camera takes up a lot of battery power, but then again, I have not put it down all day yesterday and today. It does not come with a rechargable battery or cord to recharge batteries so it would be smart to keep extra batteries around if necessary. Some of the best things about this camera is that it came with its own memory card which I thought was great. It can only hold a few pictures, but it was an accessory that I did not expect it to come with. You can also purchase a seperate accessory flash to attatch to the top of the camera in the event you may need extra lighting. The camera also lets you shoot movies in which you can zoom. There is also stereo sound which is pretty clear. One of the best features is the ability to take a pic in black and white and have certain things in the background in color. I thought this was great as was the fact that you could adjust and change colors in still shots. I could not possibly explain all the features, but the camera is worth the money and I highly recommend it to anyone.
On: 2008-05-08
I had been watching this product for 7 months before I finally got it. Love it. All the reviews are correct - this is one excellent camera.
And the zoom in video mode makes movies that are clean & stable. When you want true clarity, ALWAYS invest in optical zoom.
If you can handle its puggy little package, you will not be disappointed with this product.
On: 2008-05-08
I bought this camera since I was impressed by the S3 IS and wanted to try the next version. The picture quality is probably the same as that expected from the S3, but I see no advancement in the S5s night-time photography capabilities. I see too many symbols on the display and too complex a menu listing. The battery compartment is not too easy to open and that the LCD consumes too much power. You also see funny background colors on the image as you ready to take the snap although the final picture may not have those colors. Overall, a good camera to buy but expect no significant advancements over the S3.
On: 2008-05-08
I love this camera and the photographs it takes. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.
On: 2008-05-08
As stated the battery cover is the same as the memory card cover, this is an eh...... but the camera is exactly what I wanted and more. Great picts. perfect camera to pick up and take any snap shot or portrait.
On: 2008-05-06
My goal was really quite simple. I wanted a camera that uses standard double AA batteries, so Im not constantly running out of juice just when I find interesting subjects to shoot.
This camera is compact, affordable and uses batteries,so I bought it. But Ive been blown away by the quality of photos it produces. Im still learning the manual and the great things the camera can do. But, pretty much, Ive set it on "automatic" and just snapped beautiful, richly detailed and vibrant photos.
On: 2008-05-05
Very Very good product for the price. I should have bought this a long time ago. Product is user friendly and very high-ended for the money
On: 2008-05-04
I thought Id volunteer a review of the Panasonic FZ30 that I bought through Amazon a couple years ago because I am so pleased with it. I dont see it listed now and the Canon S5 seems an approximate competitor of the same style. Both are rather rare creatures and probably deserve better attention.
First my background and biases: Im an amateur who escapes into photography to take a break from the numeric / financial world in which I work. The Panasonic FZ 30 is a lightweight compact plastic body with a heck of a Zeiss 400mm lens attached to it. That is probably very comparable to the Canon S5 and both record 8mp. I bought mine primarily for outdoor wildlife shots, but over the past two years used it for everything, including a friends wedding and shooting a glamor session with the then current Playboy Playmate and later for a catalog competition for a clothing company. I was always competing with photographers with much more expensive Canons and Nikons.
Recently I purchased the new Nikon D300 with the 18-200mm zoom for about $2,500 before lots of accessories... purchased because I am getting more into the professional realm of photography and I wanted better low light capability.
Looking back, Im amazed at how much I did with an approximately $500 plastic non DSL camera.
DSL cameras have a lot of moving parts and their advantage is to be able to take one lens off and insert another. Doing so allows dust etc. to get into the camera and the pro version DSLs now have vibration mechanisms to shake that dust down to the bottom of the camera. Moral: if you keep it simple in the first place, you dont have to pay for that high tech correction.
I was in Brazil a few months ago and talking to a pro photographer who said of my old camera: "What you have is a great lens with a simple camera attached to it!" Exactly. And that is good.
A camera of this type will probably do only mediocre in low light non flash shots in museums or in artistic settings. It will probably be better than other point and shoot cameras, but not much. But thats about its only limitation. My camera and this one from Canon are lightweight, relatively inexpensive, and mass produced to allow a very good lens to be sold at ordinary consumer prices.
I used my $2500 new DSLR today in a non flash setting in a museum and got great low light results. Later I took my dog for a walk along a creek and left the DSLR behind and picked up my old $500 camera with the longer zoom for outdoor shots.
I think my $2500 camera is about twice as good as my $500 camera.
Hope this helps.
On: 2008-05-03
Im really pleased with my purchase, the powershot s5 is easy to use and takes great pictures. The only problem that I have found is chromatic aberation. Chromatic aberation is when bright areas of the picture will give a blueish or magenta tint on the edge of bright objects. It is very small and managed by haveing the same contrast over the whole picture. Other that that I am very pleased with my purchase. My daughter wants to take away from me. I like the controls and all the functins, they make shooting in diferent situations easy. The camaera feel solid in my hands.
On: 2008-05-03
The lens cap is not tight enough, very often it gets detached from body.
The battery cover is not good. It takes a lot of effort to close the battery case.
On: 2008-05-03
This is my third digital camera, and first canon. The first 2 were sonys (s75 and w70) and I absolutely love this canon. I keep my w70 (compact) for casual/fun shots like at parties. Ive only owned my s5 for ~3 weeks.
I was considering the s5 or the G9. But price was the main determinant for me, I got the s5 for $273+tax when it was on sale. And Im not a pro, not by a long shot. I only know to try to adjust the exposure value.
I only bought it the day before leaving for a amsterdam/belgium vacation. It was very easy to use (having not read the manual). Dont make the mistake I did, get yourself rechargable batteries. I put in regular energizers and it gave me low battery warning after ~80 shots (I was using the lcd too). I went and bought the energizer lithium ion batteries and used the viewfinder mainly (occasionally using the lcd screen) and got another 500 shots without the battery going out.
I got beautiful shots. So happens my friend had a G9 and comparing our amateurish pictures, I couldn tell the difference. The 12x optical zoom is really nice! Especially coupled with image stabilization (I did not have a tripod with me, but little tricks I learnt - like stabilizing my camera holding arm against a wall or lamppost helps).
Its true, the lenscap does come off very easily (actually that helps when my other had is full and I can turn on the camera with one hand - probably shouldnt do it too often though). But its not really a problem, if it happens its usually only when Im taking it out of the camera bag (which is fine since Im intending to take pictures anyways).
All in all, its the best camera Ive ever had. Amazing picture quality and enough options for a photography enthusiast but non-professional. And at the price of pointandshoot cameras, its a great buy!
On: 2008-05-02
If there were a camera "for dummies" this would be it!!! I am NOT technically gifted, but this camera made it easy to get good shots. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants a smart camera!! The manual was easy to read, understand and use..Finally a camera that makes taking pictures fun again!!! Thanks Canon
On: 2008-04-30
I have been using Canon Powershot cameras for a number of years now. Ive had the S400, S500, SD550, SD800IS, and now have the SD870IS. I have been extremely happy with every single one of them. I now wanted something with a longer zoom lens and considered the SX100 Canon before going ahead and buying the S5IS (read the SX100 has poor battery life). A friend at work showed me pictures he took with his S3 IS (telephoto moon shots, etc.) and I was very impressed. At first I thought this camera looked a little busy, maybe difficult to use but it was not. I actually like it very much. The zoom range is incredible. I can photograph a satellite dish on a house from almost 2 blocks away. There is a lot of camera shake at that zoom level but the IS feature seems to take care of that because the photos are sharp. Having shutter and aperture priority if also nice, along with the auto setting. The SuperMacro feature is also very nice as I take a lot of close up shots of plant life, coins, jewelry, etc. The menu system is typical Canon Powershot. Once youve learned one you wont have any problem moving to this camera. I have taken over 125 shots already with lots of flash and zoom use, with my first set of Duracell alkaline batteries and no sign of dead batteries yet. I bought some rechargeable Energizers but have not used them yet. I wouldnt call this a great camera, but it sure is pretty darn nice and a pleasure to use. I also appreciate that it doesnt way a ton like other cameras this size. My Canon powershot will be used as my in pocket carry everywhere camera. This S5IS I plan to use for sporting events like baseball and boxing, and will also be taking it along on an upcoming cruise to Alaska. By the way, we have taken thousands of photos with our Canon Powershots and not one of them has ever failed us in any way (knock on wood). Thats why Im sticking to Canon.
On: 2008-04-29
I have the Canon S3 IS but it has something missing, when i see this new version with a external flash mount I knew I have to bouy it, gladly it come with some extra features I has enjoy a lot. Good product for your money
On: 2008-04-28
I bought this camera for my wife to replace our old camera. We absolutely love it. it is very easy to use and it takes excellent photos.We also love the video function, you can record up to 1hr by adjusting the sttings.
TWO THINGS: The lens cover comes off easily, mainly because when you turn it off the lens will remove the cap. For this reason: buy a bag or case to carry it around. Also, the memory card that is included is a joke so buy an SD card of at least 4 Gigabytes.
On: 2008-04-27
The camera is bought for its value. I m satisfied with the price and its value. It was delivered on time as described on the website.
Coming to the camera review, after all reviews accross the web, I found this the best in digital camera category. Next to this would be a SLR.
The features like face detection,shutter speed , image stabilization technology are awsome.The batteries consumption is just ok.
One drawback I found is tat shooting pictures in night mode. The picture quality is good and are having clearly defined edges for still pictures.But in case of insufficient time left to focus, the images are distorted, cant even switch to sports mode as it doesnt have that light as in night mode.
Rest all is good...
On: 2008-04-25
Obviously, the S5 IS is not made for the professional or serious amateur photographer. The problem is most people who call themselves serious amateur photographers arent. My travels have taken me to many parts of the world, and wherever I go I see amateur photographers struggling with their Nikon D80s, or, sadly enough, D3s and D200s. Often by the time they are set, they have lost the shot. The fact is a camera like the Cannon S5 IS is enough camera for most amateurs. Indeed, if you want a camera with a good telephoto range, the ability to quickly adjust shutter speed (up to 1/3500), aperture, and ISO, this camera may be for you.
One of the premier features of the S5 IS is the image stabilization (I.S.)function. Some reviews have criticized the I.S., because it creates blurry photographs. However, if the I.S. is set to single shot, instead of continuous shooting, not only is blur not a problem, but the I.S. is a great tool for creating crisp telephoto and windy condition photographs. Note: the continuous shooting modes (and there are several) are very easy to use.
Further, switching to digital movie mode is only a matter of pushing a single button. The movie images are equal to any digital movie camera. Cannon could not have made it any easier to use.
The digital zoom and macro functions are more than enough for most amateurs. Indeed, when digital zoom and optical zoom are combined the camera has an incredible focal length of 36-1728 mm.
Amateurs who are new to the digital world will appreciate the ease of operation. If all you ever do is point and shoot, this camera will satisfy that need, while providing the photographic quality and focal length of much more expensive cameras.
For camera snobs, and probably very few of them are still reading, I am sure I have done little to dissuade you from your secret fantasy of one day owning a D3. But for people who have a nice photographic eye, love to frame the world through a lense, but know the offer from National Geographic will probably not be coming anytime soon, this camera is worth considering.
On: 2008-04-25
i absolutely LOVE this camera! it is soo easy to work and you capture the pic before your kids have a chance to move! lol! picture quality is great and downloading pics are super easy!
On: 2008-04-25
This camera is spectacular when it comes to pictures, I am greatly impressed and so was my family when they saw the photos from our recent event.
On: 2008-04-25
We purchased this camera for a trip to Africa and can say that it took awesome photos. While everyone was struggling with their huge and complicated cameras getting only the back end of the animals, we were snapping away quickly getting the front end of the animals. Even in max zoom, the photos are crystal clear. This is an easy camera to use and an excellent value. Other people we saw on our safari that had this camera concurred that it was one of the best on the market. Battery life is no different than other digital cameras, and in fact battery life was much better than the smaller digital Canon Powershot camera we took with us. No regrets on this purchase.
On: 2008-04-23
We have had this camera for a little over a month now, and we love it so far. The pictures are great, and we especially like the fact that you can take video and pictures at the same time.
On: 2008-04-23
I bought this specific model after seeing the previous S3 version a friend had. This has a better zoom and larger LCD. Video is really good and quickly implemented for a non-dedicated video system. Fits the hand nicely and is reasonably compact, given its capabilities.
I specifically needed a digicam that would take extreme closeups (super macro) for my clock and watch service business. So far, I am extremely pleased with the results I get. Sharp, clear hi-res images that I can print out and show my customer, or email to out-of-town customers.
I also use my S5 for personal pics and its great! Included software does a great job uploading and managing my rapidly growing photo library.
About the only minor issues are the small memory card that comes with the S5 is of little use, and I upgraded to high capacity fast-rechargeable AA batteries. I bought a 4gb card which works great, and rechargeable battery life is quite good. One other issue is that I dont care for the filter attachment method - pretty much unusable in a practical sense, and lens cap could be more secure.
All that said, Id buy it again without hesitation! The positives far outweigh the minor negatives!
On: 2008-04-22
I loved this camera . . . while it worked. It broke the day the warranty expired (the screen went blank), thankfully I called canon and they fixed it under the warranty. Six months later it is broken again. My friend has the exact same camera, and hers broke after 18 months too. I have since done more research online and found that many Canon digital cameras break right after the warranty expires. I have 35mm cameras from the 70s that work as well as they did 30 years ago, yet I have had two digital cameras completely self-destruct in the past three years. I dont understand why companies cant make quality products that will last.
On: 2008-04-21
I love the Canon Power Shot Series S5. Its very user friendly. The color is true to live. Right after I bought it I took it with me on a 2 week trip, the only thing I didnt like is that it went through Batteries fast. I will invest in some rechargeable Batteries.
On: 2008-04-21
Today was my first day with my new camera. This is my first digital. I took it to Berkley Marina today and got some awesome pictures of kites,sailboats etc. I owned a AE-1 years ago whiched got stolen and am now getting back into photography as a hobby. I am also a first time buyer on amazon and can only say the service is outstanding. This is going to be fun.
On: 2008-04-21
I love this camera. There are so many features on this thing that Im still learning new things about it! The photos come out bright, beautiful, and perfect for both digital and printing uses.
On: 2008-04-21
I purchased this camera because the `point and shoot cameras did not give the quality I was looking for. My kids play a lot of sports so the zoom lens and the ability to set shutter speeds etc. come in handy. This camera is a nice compromise between the limited function of a `point and shoot and the expensive DSLRs at a price that is very reasonable. The camera has A LOT of functions (I think I can open my garage door with this thing!) and the manual could do a better job at describing how to work everything. You have to read it several times to understand what all the icons and settings mean.
On: 2008-04-21
The lens cap falls for what ever reason.
Not a fast camera.
IS is a joke.
Great video capture with Stereo audio.
Great set of cool features.
Sold mine off.
On: 2008-04-20
I just bought this camera from Adorama and I am so far impressed by it. The one main flaw I see with the camera is the battery door which is a pain in the butt to operate. I thought I was going to break the camera before I ever got a chance to use it. Its not a simple swing style cover, its a swing and slide style cover and it makes me nervous every time I have to change batteries. Ive seen other reviews where there is complaint about noise, and I dont notice any with mine. I do have some problems with focusing with this camera, but I havent worked with it enough to know if its machine error, or operator error at fault. The manual that comes with this camera reads like a chemistry textbook in that it seems overwhelming to the lay person. There is another manual that comes with the camera that helps you turn the camera on and do a few things with it, but ultimately youll be sent to the big manual for further education. This isnt a simple point and shoot camera. This camera is for those who take their photography a little more seriously than the weekend shooter. The images I am getting are fantastic with this camera and theres no wash out from the flash like many cheaper cameras do. In fact, this camera takes the best low light images of any camera Ive ever owned. Id give this camera a 5 star rating if it werent for the battery door and complicated manuals that come with the camera. I would suggest a DVD showing how to use the camera as opposed to a book so crammed full of symbols, abbreviations, and what not that the average person sits there and scratches their head over. Im also a little frustrated at some of the focusing aspects of this camera, but again, is it the camera or the operator? Only time will tell. One last thing, Ive seen a big debate over the Japanese vs. Chinese versions of this camera. Mine is Chinese made, and it works like a charm. I dont know if the Japanese vs. Chinese argument holds any water. This seems to me to be a good quality camera worth the money if youre serious about photography.
On: 2008-04-19
This is my third Canon digital camera and by far the best. Although not a DSLR, its the next best thing. I would call is a "junior DSLR " if there was such a thing. It meets my everyday needs to take informal pics here and there, but can also support a variety of advance features.
This camera will not fit in your pocket, so expect to buy a case or carry it around your neck. The LCD is large and is easy to see in the sun (I live in AZ!). The lens cap does fall off all the time. That is the one thing bad I can say about this camera.
In my opinion, you cant beat a Canon (quality/features for the price).
On: 2008-04-17
Camera arrived in good time about a month ago. I have been experimenting with it and so far it works exactly as advertised. It will do many things that my old Minolta DiMage Z3 would not do.
If you want a camera that takes great pictures without a bunch of adjusting for every shot, this is a good one. I did not want to get involved with the complications of a DSLR camera. This maybe a Phd (Push here dummy) camera, but it does everything Ive asked of it.
On: 2008-04-16
Last year I went to America (USA) for my holidays. It had been a long time since Id had a holiday and even longer since Id been to the USA. This time I wanted to do a few things more, especially since I was going for 5 weeks. A new camera was a must as my old and much loved first digital camera, a Fuji S300 has dust on its sensor and was a little annoying due to shutter lag, plus nearly everything needed colour correction on the computer. Nevertheless it had taken excellent pictures many of which are on the walls of our current home. I thought by now it would be easy to replace this with a dSLR, I used to use an OM1 (film SLR) with a nice heavy zoom lens. There were some excellent bargains in the shops, or so I thought until I started looking closer. The choice last year seemed very much to be Nikon D40 or D40X or Canon EOS 400D. Then again the Olympus E410 & 510 had just arrived. Had the E510 been cheaper I would have bought that but being new it had not yet reached its discount levels so I hesitated.
Eventually I bought this camera last August. This seemed to be the most recommended ultra zoom, with reservations from some reviewers. Mine was made in Japan which I like but at the price last August it needed to be! I find it works very nicely especially the video with full stereo sound! I have to date taken some 7566 pictures; some just practise shots, some discarded and many of the rest avis. If I have any complaints about it they are these:
Batteries, I have destroyed a fair number of NiMh rechargeables or at least the camera and a quick charger have. In fact due to batteries and charger problems or rather the batteries not lasting 5 minutes in the camera I started on an updated hunt to replace it, again with a dSLR - plenty of new ones to choose from! Whilst hunting I came across recommendations and bought a pack of 4 Duracell Japan AAs and then came across a bargain 4 hour charger. This combination seems to have solved battery issues albeit at a price. Its still good though to have 4 Alkaline AA in your pack and use those when in need. Good batteries however last a long time - days of hard use but thats how you eventually destroy the less than top draw ones it seems!
Wide angle is issue 2. Whilst in New York I needed it, how else can you snap the glorious buildings? I popped into a store just off Times Square (where you are supposed not to shop) and picked up a fish eye/wide angle for a couple of hundred US$. That felt expensive at the time but Canon had not yet got their act together with supplies of this much needed item. It turns out the quality was pretty good as long as you dont forget to take it off when you go telephoto that is. I became a quick hand at slipping it on and off, only dropping it twice (dented the lens hood but nothing else!) So if you photograph buildings or similar with wide angle lens this camera may not suit you and a $200 upgrade could buy you something with a wider angle.
Issue 3 is the lens cap dropping off but if you have a wide angle I keep that on mostly and had both lens caps on the thread for use in field - also I use black electricians tape (PVC, what we used to call insulating tape). I had needed that as the only converters anyone had last year were for the S2 which had a slightly different fitting so I used the tape to stop the tube moving in the mount (it clicked in but ...). I recently tried a really cheap teleconverter (2x) it didnt work too well, focus and f stop wise, however it showed me that I would gain very little from buying the quality Canon one (1.6x). I now use the lens tube for the wide angle since it was made for the S5. I have a polarizing filter but havent found the need for it yet - when next on Sydney harbor perhaps.
Issue 4 is non issue in some ways - video is so good on this camera I defaulted to using it (just pressed that red button) as soon as there was something interesting, so ended up with great avis but hardly any decent stills, although you can scavenge those from the avi in the software but the pixel count is of course lower! The issue is that I feel I havent achieved my previous standard i.e. when using the Fuji or OM1 and predecessors.
Issue 5 there is some noise around but never having had the S3 at 6mp I suspect it wont bother most people very often, though I worked in summer mostly and here when its sunny. On grey overcast days maybe, though indoors with or without flash it never seems to be that bad.
Pluses:
Hard working, great pictures, excellent video and frankly until recently I never used anything except auto, it doesnt need it. Here are some things that I wouldnt be without from Canon anyway, a DIGIC III processor which I suspect accounts for colour and exposure control (Canon use it in the EOS40D & the EOS 450D), IS (image stabilization), scene modes especially foliage, ISO range from 60, yes folks 60 not 200 as some dSLRs (e.g. Alpha 700), preferably live view and naturally @100%, tilting and rotating LCD screen (both the latter mean overpriced Olympus E3), diopter adjustment on the viewfinder, SD cards for storage (now I have them that is, I have 2x4 gb, 3x2 gb, ah not E3 - uhm you know the problem or else you wouldnt be reading this).
I have tried exposure bracketing and focus bracketing the latter was unnecessary and the exposure gave some slight improvements at a 1/3rd less but nothing to worry about in the incandescence of a normal sunny Australian day! Will try in less ideal conditions.
Vivid colour I like to play with though it often turns our roads blue (set it for custom mode). You can also shoot B7W or even black & white, sepia or colour accent but I havent explored those much yet.
To say that in looking for a new camera whilst this one still isnt broke was perhaps foolish is true but it has lead me to better understand what this camera will do. I compared same time location shots from the S5 IS with those from a EOS400D with the kit short zoom lens and my picture quality won out (Digic III processor, I suspect, it couldnt be the small sensor - but perhaps the lens). See TrustedReviews.com thoughts on the S5 IS and compare his Exeter Cathedral shots, I preferred the S5 to the EOS40D though that might just have been the weather.
Recommendation - dont ditch the manuals but do get "A Short Course in Canon Powershot S5 IS Photography" from Amazon or www. Shortcourses.com. At US$29.95 online its a steal (youll find out things you never noticed in the advanced users manual, especially on P, Tv, Av mode use. There are 2 typos, one is calling the sensor CMOS, it says in the said manual CCD, the other is an unfinished unimportant sentence, but hey hes probably like the most of us, married & interrupted when composing!). Also download a manual from Canon then you can print out the excellent list of features at the back of the advanced version - take that with you just in case you find auto doesnt do it for you - I even used auto for night photography in New York!
On balance I might even replace this with another S5 IS if the untoward happens! Oh and if you think you will buy an EOS450D theyll share a flash unit but I havent needed it and look at the prices Canon want for them - could buy a competitors dSLR at the same price as the 580 flash unit.
PS - if you are reading Canon I very nearly snapped up a Samsung GX10 for the price of a Nikon D40, half of the price of the EOS450 all with a kit kens, the GX10 & D40 probably have better than your basic kit lens.
ENJOY!
On: 2008-04-13
Love love love this camera. The photos are amazing. I live in DC and wanted some good quality photos. They are better than I couldve imagined. I was able to get perfect pictures of the Capitol dome on the digital zoom from over a mile away. This camera produces sharp, perfect color pictures and has the capabilities of switching lenses. And this camera takes photos quickly so you dont have to worry about losing that perfect shot. If you dont want to spend $700 plus on a Canon Rebel SLR, purchase this camera. You wont be disappointed.
On: 2008-04-13
I have had this camera for about a week, after Ive had it for a while longer I will give another review. I have to say, this camera has given me a newfound excitement for taking pictures. Everything from the easy to navigate menus to the speed of rediness has got me exited about the Powershot S5.
I did a lot research before I picked out this camera and I really didnt find any negeative things about except for someone that was obviously comparing it to an SLR. Its not an SLR but its as close as your going to get without getting an SLR.
Im not a professional photographer, more of an intermediate but if I was a pro, I would have gotten a SLR. I do know a pro that has the Canon G7 for a backup and he liked my camera a lot better.
My previous camera, which I was quite happy with, was an Olympus C740 with 10X Optical zoom. It takes great pictures but its not near as easy to use as this one is. I would not recomend this for a beginner, although it does do a pretty good job of point and shoot, it has a lot of easy to use buttons to get at the setting that you most like but could be confusing for a beginner, but wonderful for someone that doesnt want to have to dig through a meriad of menus to find.
In all, I am quite happy with the Canon Powershot S5 and would recomend it to my closest friend. I hope this helps.
On: 2008-04-11
It took a couple of hours to familiarize myself with the features but was very easy to learn. Wow!!! What great pictures out of the box! I wanted a digital SLR but couldnt justify the price for one. This is the next best thing. Great value, great quality and great features all rolled into one.
On: 2008-04-11
The camera is loaded with features and is easy to use. My complaint is about the user manual. Poorly written, poorly organized. The writer had no concept of whats in the mind of the new user. It needs to be rewritten for clarity and to actually SHOW the user how to use the camera.
On: 2008-04-11
I expected more from Canon than that....
1.) The lens cap ALWAYS falls from the lens. So you have to be very careful where you put the camera.
2.) I bought that camera intending to avoid wiggly, noisy pictures. This camera should have an image stabilizer.... well, it should. Compared to an older Canon (an IXUS) there are much more bad pictures with this one. The pictures are less sharp than the ones from the old model.
3.) It is really hard to use the digital zoom without having a tripod.
BUT
the optical zoom on the other hand is great and the movies are of a better quality than the photos.
Well, I guess, I would not buy it again, so if you have an alternative, go with it.
On: 2008-04-11
This is an awesome camera. A professional gets his part and an amature gets point and shoot.
I have more to talk about its robustness
I accidently dropped this camera on stairs and it rolled down. It made me worried and I prepared myself to buy a new one. But as soon as i picked it from the floor to my surprise everything was intact and it was working.
Great product from Canon
On: 2008-04-09
I got this camera for christmas and it didnt work...:o((( - pictures were very blurry...
On: 2008-04-09
I got this camera a few weeks ago and have used it in both indoor and outdoor settings. It takes great pictures, the controls are very easy to figure out but spending a few minutes with the manual is a good idea. I like the way it feels and where the position of the zoom and shutter are located. At the highest resolution, file sizes have been between 3.5 and 4.5 meg. The digital zoom is great - I used it at my sons baseball game and was able to zoom in on an outfielder and get some great shots. Redeye only works in portrait mode - not auto mode (unless I just havent found the right setting). Flash doesnt automatically pop up when you need it but it will display an icon when you need it. That auto-pop is really the only thing I wish it had. LOVE that the lcd swings out and swivels. This is overall a GREAT camera for those who want something better than your average point and shoot but dont want to spend the $ for the SLR.
On: 2008-04-08
Canon PowerShot Pro Series S5 IS 8.0MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
I love everything about this camera with the exception of the lens cap. It falls off at the slightest touch.
On: 2008-04-07
I bought this camera about 6 months ago after researching several other brands in the same price range. I have only ever owned disposable and point and Nikon point and shoot camera (which took amazing pics), so I didnt know what I was looking for at first. I enjoy photography on an ametuer level, so I thought I would take it up a notch slowly before jumping into a fancy camera that costs $1,000+
As always, Amazon came through and the communication and delivery from them met my expectations. (I always check amazon for anything related to this camera before I look anywhere else). For what I wanted, this camera does the job. I have taken some amazing sunset shots and most recently attended a bodybuilding competition where I got to test the Powershot S5 IS in low light and also the "action/sports" setting, as there was a lot of quick movement I wanted to capture. The pictures turned out great.
I have a bad habit of taking a million pictures and rarely making prints because I share them mostly online. There were a few prints I made at the beginning when I was just learning to use the camera and they came out grainy and "soft" looking- so I was starting to doubt this purchase as others had commented on this issue as well. I read the manual thoroughly to see if I could fix this problem and played around with the camera, taking pictures of anything from my feet to our cats- basically anything where I could test ALL of the settings in different light. I recently made prints after learning more about the camera and they came out flawless, I really have no complaints about the quality.
Yes, the camera lens falls off all of the time. It gets annoying, but you just have to be extra careful. I wouldnt say thats a reason not to buy this camera though. I would advise in purchasing a good quality camera bag and lens cleaner in case you are like me and keep the lens cap off most of the time. I have been pleasantly surprised with how well the batteries last in this camera- this too depends on how much you are using the flash, zoom and other features. I recently purchased the eneloop rechargeable battery pack, so we shall see how those batteries do- Ive heard good things.
Overall, if you are looking for a point and shoot camera on steroids at an affordable price- this is the one. It has lots of fun features to play with, allowing you to take your ametuer photography to its fullest potential. There are a few accessory lens and flash options to beef this camera up even more as your skills progress. I suggest reading lots of reviews on this camera and its accessories on Amazon and other Techie sites as they are very informative to a beginner, also read the manual- it helps.
One thing I did find out about this camera is that it is not able to shoot in the RAW format- something that most beginners wont care about, but also something you should know before buying. If you think you might want to take your photography to the next level, I would suggest purchasing a camera that shoots in RAW. Thats about it, this camera is fun- so take it everywhere with you!
On: 2008-04-07
Have been using this Camera for more than 4 months now & i must say that this exceeds our expectations so far...
The photos are crisp & the camera control are very user friendly, one small issue which i guess all digicam go through is photography under low lights as the camera refuses to click the photos...
All & all a must for any family.
On: 2008-04-06
THIS CAMERA IS AWSOME BOUGHT IT AS A GIFT FOR SOMEONE AND THEY CANT KEEP THEIR HANDS OFF IT THEY PRETTY MUCH SLEEPS WITH IT I HAVE NO REGRETS AWSOME CAMERA
On: 2008-04-05
Previously owned Nikon SLR and several digital point/shoot cameras, but wanted something between the two -- a truly capable and versatile camera with a good zoom lens capable of wide angle and long range shots. This camera meets my needs admirably. I am impressed with the pictures I have taken so far, and with its versatility, and look forward to testing its limits for night and closeup photography. So far, the only problem I have had is depth of field (focus)with closeups and I attribute this to getting my eyes, glasses, and the viewfinder to work together. Experience should help. Recommendation -- if looking for a camera of this technical level, be sure to get a viewfinder -- the little TV screens, no matter if bright enough, do not give a clear enough image to compose and focus a shot properly in bright sunlight.
On: 2008-04-05
Great basic Point & Shoot, no other lenses to carry around other than a macro or tele (dont need it with the 12X OI), amazing pix, great upgradrade to Tohshiba M500 & Canon S2.
On: 2008-04-05
When it first came out, many reviews described it as cure to all ills. For mostly, P&S and occasional camera explorer like me, this camera was a major disappointment.
May be I got a defective set, I could not take a single snap in sports mode, I kept getting the message camera busy. Images in P mode were blurred.
Only time I could get decent photos when the camera was in Auto, Portrait and Landscape mode but even then, Image from this camera is no where as sharp as my old 5MP fuji P&S camera.
On: 2008-04-05
Best camera for my needs, has almost all the settings that a professional can do to take pictures with great quality and accuracy. Maybe a little to big, but being a semiprofessional product this is not o problem. I recommend this camera to those that know just a little about shooting pictures. Use ISO as low as possible when the ISO its bigger than 200 the noise its quite visible.
On: 2008-04-03
This is a wonderful camera for the family. It not only takes beautiful pictures but also is a movie camera, with a resolution that is better than the old VHS sistems.
On: 2008-04-02
I bought this camera for my wife. She has had many other cameras before (different manufactures) but this one she says is the very best. All she kepts saying is I love, love, love this camera.The software was very easy to install and very user friendly. Highly recommend this camera.
On: 2008-04-01
This is the best product and the best price to take incredible pictures e make amazing videos. I already have had a Canon Powershot S1 and Im pretty happy with my decision on upgrade. The best example are the pictures you can take, so.. take a look on what I already could do with this camera (Im a amateur).
On: 2008-03-31
I bought this camera to move up to a better quality digital camera. I have been extremely impressed with the camera so far. I have taken over 500 pictures and I dont have a single complaint. The view finder is a little different as it folds out and the menu system was a little hard to figure out at first but is easy to learn after using for awhile. This camera takes great pictures and lives up to the Canon name.
On: 2008-03-30
I wanted a step up from a point and shoot camera, and considered getting an SLR. The S5 actually has more features than the cheapest SLRs (apart from not having a changeable lens) - Image Stabilization and a better zoom than the basic SLR lenses.
I also love the LCD screen that flips out. I didnt think Id use it much but Im tall and it helps with taking photos closer to the ground.
It also takes 30 minutes of video which I havent used yet but Im excited about.
Overall - lots of great features, very fun to learn and play with, not as "pro" as an SLR but great for someone who wants to get more serious about photography as a hobby.
On: 2008-03-29
If you have a Canon S3 IS, do yourself a favor and keep it. Do not replace with this one. Besides the noise problem, Ive just learned that S5 does not have intervalometer. And that is just sad!
I hate Canon for not warning the consumers about this!
On: 2008-03-28
i purchased this as a reploacement for my sony dsc s85. this camera is loaded with a ton of features and takes great photos. although i will agree with all the other reviewers on the concern with the battery/card door. the door is kind of difficult to open and you need to have some finess to open it. although i dont open it to access the memory card as i transfer via the included USB cable. the lens cap doesnt like to stay on all that well, so i recommend purchasing a better one from cannon. there are a lot of reviewers who are complaining about the noise in the photos (grainy pics),just realize that this camera is setup for someone who is a little more advanced and in turn there are ways to eleminate this noise. i have had this camera for about 3 months now, and i would definately buy it again. the rotating and flip out view finder is great for taking pics where you use the timer to be in the photo yourself as you are better able to get an idea of your position before the photo is taken.
On: 2008-03-27
Canon Powershot is a camera with lot of controls in it. but the noise level in the picture is high(even at a low ISO).
Camera with good manual control but with high noise level made me to rerun this camera to Amazon. Now I own a S3 and very happy with it.
On: 2008-03-27
I bought this camera a month ago and just got back from an extensive trip to China. I took 4 gigs of photos on my trip in every setting imaginable.
Ill start with my only two gripes. First, this camera has THE WORSE lens cover Ive ever seen. It pops off if it is barely touched. I have resorted to keeping it on with a rubber band. Second, the battery cover seems cheap and feels like it might break any minute. I open and close it VERRRRY carefully. So far, so good, but Im amazed that a camera this great could have flaws as stupid as lens cap and battery door.
WHAT I LOVE: This is my fourth digital camera. GREAT clarity, even at huge distances. I took a couple hundred photos w/o flash or tripod at a choir concert, from at least 100 feet away. I got BEAUTIFUL close-ups of the people, no problem. Yes, it is a bit grainy, BUT SO IS HIGH SPEED FILM! Gosh, I cant believe the gripes in these reviews re: graininess at high ISO. The quality and clarity of these high digital ISO shots are far superior to anything I shot with film.
GREAT CLOSE-UPS. This has macro and super-macro. I do a lot of plant photography. FABULOUS macro.
FACE DETECTION: I didnt think Id use this much but I love it.
CHOICE OF SETTINGS: I use the "Custom" setting and can mess with it to my hearts desire, then save the settings. Wow. I love that. If you are an AUTO photographer I think youll be happy with the auto setting too.
GOOD MENUS: Menus are easy to use and intuitive. I especially like the +/- exposure access and the white balance settings.
HEFTY FEEL: This feels like a substantial camera. It is easy to hold steady for a long shot or low-light shot.
GOOD FLASH: I dont use flash much, but this is a good built-in one. I bought the Speedlite 220EX to go with it and found I dont really need it.
AA BATTERIES: I bought a set of Sony AA rechargeables to go with this camera. I shot all day and never once ran out of juice with those batteries. I carried a spare set of single-use alkaline batteries and never used them.
IMAGE STABILIZATION is incredible. At the last minute I decided against taking my tripod to China. Didnt ever need it, even in very low light. Even though the "camera shake" warning came on, I could still get good photos without blur if I held my breath!
VIEWFINDER: I was SOOO glad to get away from having to look at a TV screen to frame my shots. This viewfinder is digital, but it looks like an SLR one, has adjustable diopter, and best of all, is great for bright situations when a little TV screen just doesnt show you what you need to see. I dont think I took a single photo using the viewscreen, but for editing and trashing at the end of the day, the big screen was a plus. The slideshow setting is a nice bonus.
VIDEO: This isnt a video camera but in a pinch the video is fabulous! If Id had bigger memory cards I would definitely have shot some video.
If you want more than a point-and-shoot, love bells and whistles, and are willing to hassle with the lens cap, this is a great choice. Im very happy with my purchase and expect to shoot thousands of great images with this camera.
On: 2008-03-26
The camera is great to far, Ive had it less than a month but definitely love it!
On: 2008-03-26
The only reason I didnt give this camera 5 stars is that there are so many functions available on the camera I occasionally get confused as to the best way to take a picture. Low light, should I adjust ISO, white balance, etc? However, the photos it does take look fantastic and print out beautifully.
On: 2008-03-26
We initially bought a new video camera but it seemed like with our old one, we didnt use it very often because it was always put away, then we would have to drag it out and charge it before we could use it. We decided to return the video camera and opted for the Canon s5 with photo and video capabilities because we thought we would use it more often due to its convenience. Boy, am I glad we did! The video quality on this camera is AMAZING! I cant imagine better quality from a dedicated video camera. The zoom is outstanding and the one touch video button is so convenient.
It takes wonderful pictures as well. While Ive mainly used it on the Auto setting, I love that as I learn more, the camera will grow with me.
We got a great deal on several 4mb memory cards through pricewatch so well always have room for videos and pictures.
On: 2008-03-25
Ive had a canon for the last several years---its one I love because it fits in my pocket, but I opted for this (not so pocket size version) camera because of the tremendous pictures it takes! I have two siblings who have the S3 and S5---and we all love them. The one button movie feature is fabulous! Im pleased with my purchase! It does have bells and whistles that I have not tried out yet, but I am happy with the great pictures! The only downfall in my book---is the batteries in the same place as the memory card---that was not thought out, but Im living with it---as the perks are terrific!
On: 2008-03-24
this cam is fast, works great this the Eye-fi card, and the zoom is so nice to have. If you like canon I think its a good buy.
On: 2008-03-24
Great camera! Very easy to use and takes really nice pics. I love that it has the option of adding different lenses. I bought a package from RedHotBuys that included everything else you could possibly need for a great price. Flip out LCD screen a big plus for taking pics when your in a bad spot. Well worth the money!
On: 2008-03-24
I wanted a camera that I could adjust the settings with and had a high Optical Zoom. The pictures are beautiful and I like that I can add two lenses to this on later. Very easy to use and I love the video feautre.
On: 2008-03-23
I first bought the Canon S5 for my son for his birthday. He liked it so much that I just bought one for my daughter for Easter. I like the 12x optical zoom. It has a nice feel, good size, and easy to use. I would recommend this to anyone.
I got them both a larger memory card, the one in the camera is too small. When you buy this camera get the larger memory card at the same time, not a lot of money and will save you headaches.
On: 2008-03-20
What can i say, it does what i want, and the videos come out better than my camcorder
On: 2008-03-20
I am not a photographer and I am not one to take a lot of pictures, but after going to a friends wedding and then being asked to take a lots of pictures, I borrowed a Powershot for the photos. The shots were great and everyone loved them.
This is a great camera and takes high quality pictures quickly. It easy recognizes the faces of people in the shot and with multiple face detector, everyone stays in focus. The only problem that I had with the camera was with the batteries. The camera did not recognize that there were new batteries in it after a week or so and wouldnt even turn on with new batteries. Customer Service at Canon was great and very helpful and I was able to get the camera back just after a week and it works fine now.
On: 2008-03-17
I waited to purchase this camera after I had read many reviews on this particular model. It seemed to be rated quite high and the main complaint from everyone was the lens cap issue and how easily it fell off. I dont find it a major problem as it is attached to the camera strap anyway.
I am not pro when it comes to taking pictures but this camera has everything I need for still pics and video and it is makes my picture taking look pretty darn good!
I watched to get a good price and even got it with no shipping and handling!
I also read in other reviews about people worried about getting a Chinese made model versus one made in Japan. Apparently, you really dont know where yours is coming from until it arrives... mine was made in China and so far I have seen no problem with that fact and I have taken approx 300-500 pics since my purchase in February 2008.
All in all, I am very pleased with my Canon Powershot S5IS camera!
On: 2008-03-13
Really folks, I have taken some great photos indoors and out with this camera. I have also taken some really sub-par photos with this camera. BUT, as I learn more and practice more, my pictures come out much better on average. This camera will do much more than a pocket point and shoot camera, but it does have a learning curve. Went to my granddaughters cheerleading compitetion the day after getting the camera in the mail and realized that I had a lot to learn about photography. But even at that, some of the pictures were just fantastic, with eye popping color, incredible detail, great lighting, etc. Just dont give up on it till you give it a chance, and I am sure that you will love this camera...
On: 2008-03-10
Is a excellent item. make excellent photo and videos, i am really happy to bougt.
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