9.0 out of 10

Canon PowerShot S5 IS

8.3 megapixels

Information found in: from 198 sources in 35 countries.

Best Price: $299

  • User Score (360)
    8.8 8.8 from 360 reviewers
  • Expert Score (32)
    8.1 8.1 from 32 reviewers
  • Design (4)
    8.0 8.0 from 4 reviewers
  • Value for money (48)
    7.8 7.8 from 48 reviewers
  • Features (49)
    9.5 9.5 from 49 reviewers
  • Ease of use (62)
    6.3 6.3 from 62 reviewers
  • Performance (2)
    9.1 9.1 from 2 reviewers
  • Picture quality (56)
    8.6 8.6 from 56 reviewers
  • Buzz Index: 5/5
  • Activity: 5/5

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The S5 IS is a multi function hybrid camera that is the fourth installment of Canon cameras that are known for their superzoom lens. It uses a DIGIC III processor which has a more advanced Face Detection Technology and red-eye correction to improve images.

Features

At 450 grams, it has 8.0 megapixels under its belt. It has a 12x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom. It has a 2.5 inch high resolution LCD monitor that makes image shooting easier. Another feature of the S5 IS is Optical Image Stabilizer Technology that makes sure the camera shakes won’t affect the image. By pressing the movie button, the user can easily shoot a movie without even switching to shooting mode. It supports the USB 2.0 hi-speed making image transfers much faster. Users can also choose between 22 shooting modes which also include 9 special scene modes. With the print/share button, images can be printed directly to photo printers, compact photo printers and pictbridge.

Manufacturer's Specs

Type of Camera

  • Type of Camera
    Compact digital still camera with built-in flash, 12x Optical/4x Digital/48x Combined Zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer (IS) System

Image Capture Device

  • Type
    8.0 Megapixel, 1/2.5 inch type Charge Coupled Device (CCD)
  • Total Pixels
    Approx. 8.3 Megapixels
  • Effective Pixels
    Approx. 8.0 Megapixels

Lens

  • Focal Length
    6.0-72.0mm f/2.7-3.5 (35mm film equivalent: 36-432mm)
  • Digital Zoom
    4x
  • Focusing Range
    Normal: 1.6 ft./50cm-infinity (WIDE), 3.0 ft./90cm-infinity (TELE) Macro: 3.9 in.-1.6 ft./10-50cm (W) Super Macro: 0-3.9 in./0-10cm (W)
  • Autofocus System
    TTL Autofocus

Viewfinder & Monitor

  • Viewfinder
    0.33-inch low-temperature polycrystalline silicon TFT color LCD electronic viewfinder
  • LCD Monitor
    2.5-inch low-temperature polycrystalline silicon TFT color LCD screen, Vari-angle type with wide viewing angle

Review Summary

The Canon PowerShot S5 IS, an ultra-zoom digital camera is the upgraded version of its previous well-known model the Canon PowerShot S3. The Canon PowerShot S3 was such a success that Canon had to release a follow-up to keep the spirit of Canon fans alive. So far the Canon PowerShot S5 has not been disappointing, as a matter of fact; it is already known to be an excellent camera by having and accommodating tons of manual and automatic features, well-laid-out controls, a solid body, nice LCD display. The basic main attracting features included are Canon’s veteran optical image-stabilization technology, excellent metering and focusing systems, the signature flip-and-twist LCD display, and the set of manual and semimanual controls. Also upgraded in the Canon PowerShot S5 IS is the newly 8 megapixels sensor which increases the size of the LCD to 2.5 inches. The features are known to be very well implemented into the Canon PowerShot S5 IS. More examples of the features are a record button for movie capture, stereo microphones, a wind filter, and audio volume adjustment. The more you find out discover its features the more you will like it. Give yourself time and you will be familiarized with all its features. It does have some dislikes among its users like for example; some think that the Canon PowerShot S5 IS has low lighting abilities while some think that Canon has not broken any new ground or created anything new with the Canon PowerShot S5 IS. On a much brighter side, Canon still has many loyal fans amongst its users. The most important thing is that so far the camera has given good results for its users. CNET quoted that the PowerShot S5 IS is still a pretty good mega zoom but one that’s slowly losing ground due to the competition.

The ultra-powerful 12x optical zoom on the PowerShot S5 IS means you’ll get the shot you want with no compromise, yet that’s only the beginning of what makes this camera so exciting. The S5 IS is l…

  1. Reviewer: ephotozine.com
    28 September 2007
    Overall 8
    8.0
    Features 9
    9.0
    Performance 8
    8.0
     

    I really like this camera. The results that I got are very good which I have to admit is not just my amazing talent. I am a little undecided on Canon's decision to make the video mode so high profile as this is specifically a still imaging machine and even with the upgrade to the video clip limit, it is not designed for video. I'm still not a great believer in a high performance cameras taking AA batteries, but there are many batteries about that have high capacity th... Read more

  2. Reviewer: Camera Labs
    23 August 2007
    Overall 8
    8.0
     

    Canon’s PowerShot S5 IS remains one of the best super-zoom digital cameras on the market. It sports a decent 12x range with optical stabilisation, a useful flip-out and twist screen, a decent degree of manual control and impressively, a flash hotshoe. Some will also prefer its use of AA batteries over proprietary and expensive Lithium Ion battery packs. The PowerShot S5 IS also handles quickly and gives you plenty of creative options from control over aperture an... Read more

  3. Reviewer: Imaging Resource
    21 August 2007

    The Canon PowerShot's S5 IS extensive feature set combined with its image-stabilized 12x optical zoom lens will please photographers who want a solidly built and capable non-DSLR camera with all the bells and whistles. Aside from the omission of a RAW mode, the Canon S5 IS is one of the more capable megazooms on the market. External controls and easy access to setting changes add to the Canon S5's appeal, as does its excellent movie mode with stereo sound. The Canon S... Read more

  4. Canon Powershot S5 IS

    Reviewer: Neo Camera
    13 August 2007
    Overall 8
    8.0
     

    The Canon Powershot S5 IS is a good ultra-zoom digital camera with some small improvements over its predecessor, the Read more

  5. Reviewer: DP Review
    27 July 2007
    Overall 8
    8.0
    Value for money 8
    8.0
    Features 9
    9.0
    Performance 9
    9.0
    Picture quality 8
    8.0
     

    Although it represents a more significant upgrade than the S3 IS was over the S2 IS, the S5 IS doesn't really see Canon breaking much new ground. Of course that isn't such a terrible thing; this has been a hugely successful series of cameras - for most part deservedly so. That said, whilst much of this round of tinkering brings welcome improvements (the flash shoe and screen/viewfinder upgrades most significantly), the new sensor adds little to the image quality at a... Read more

  1. Great Camera!

    2 weeks ago
    Overall 8
    8.0
     

    I purchased this camera about 3 months ago and have been blown away with its capabilities. Its got a fast focus time, takes great low light photos and the zoom is more than I expected. There is only one thing I can say bad about the camera, and its not a real big deal. The lens cap does come off far too easily. I have a habit of mistreating my cameras, even when I try to take care of them, and the lens cap is something I rely on to help me take care of the camera. The... Read more

  2. Color comment

    Reviewer: Russ, review.buy.com
    2 weeks ago
    Overall 8
    8.0
     

    I had an S1, S2 and now the S5IS. All were good but this one is the best as far as the resolution and light sensitivity. I have small complaint about the zooming on the S5. It might be the digital OR the optical but this is what happens at several zoom levels. It isn't as good as the others whereas, the color convergence is notably off target when a picture is magnified on a PC. This creates various color borders and slight overlap around the subjects, which never hap... Read more

  3. Perfect for what I wanted

    Reviewer: ymagoom, Bestbuy
    3 weeks ago
    Overall 10
    10
     

    "I was researching this camera for at least 3 months along with a few others. It was going to be a Christmas present for myself (from my husband...he just didn't know it). I went to the stores to handle it and the Kodak 712 see what just "felt good" in my hands. Although I thought that the kodak felt a little bit better in my hands the reviews are what sold me on the Canon. I got this camera 2 weeks before Christmas '07 and I have been using a lot! Like everyone says ... Read more

  4. Reviewer: eggsngrits, Photography Review
    3 weeks ago
    Overall 2
    2.0
    Value for money 2
    2.0
     

    Great camera for an intermediate user like me. Lots of features for specific types of shots, but fast and easy enough for my technophobe wife when on full automatic. Shots were pretty good -- a little grainy in low light conditions. Additionally, I think that the JPEG compression seems to be a little flawed since the raw pictures look much, much better in some cases. Alas, the camera is, however, prone to failure it seems. I got the dreaded "Lens Error, Restart Camera... Read more

  5. Slight dissappointment

    Reviewer: Digitalcamera HQ
    13 June 2008
    Overall 8
    8.0
     

    Not qualified to really offer a professional opinion, but I've taken over 18,000 digital photos over the years. I'm comfortable with the S5 after about 3 months of use, but I miss the wider view that previous cameras (1/2 the price cameras) give. The lens cap is a real challenge to keep on. I really like the smooth telephoto adjustments and image stabilization. I do wish that I had held back a little longer and perhaps found a camera that might have fit my needs a lit... Read more

  1. climbing photography

    Consider the Canon PowerShot S5 IS .

    forum.digitalcamerareview.com: 12 November 2007 Read more

  2. Which super zoom?

    forum.digitalcamerareview.com: 12 October 2007 Read more

  3. The video quality of modern digicams is...

    Also, many review sites include sample videos at the end of the reviews. Not always here at dpreview but also checkout, for example: Reviews for novices to shutterbugs 30Oct07 Canon PowerShot S5 IS review at Imaging-rwsource 25Sep07 Canon PowerShot S5 IS review at TrustedReviews 19Sep07 Canon PowerShot S5 IS review at PhotographyBLOG 14Sep07 Canon PowerShot S5 IS review at DigitalCameraInfo 30Jul07 Canon PowerShot S5 IS review at PopPhoto.com 29Jul07 C...

    forum.dpreview.com: Read more

  4. wich one is better

    forum.digitalcamerareview.com: Read more

  5. Studio Setup question (urgent)

    Hi My company likes to purchase some lighting arrangement for taking potraits of employees that will be mainly used in identity cards and passport and visa pictures. They have already purchased Canon PowerShot S5 IS and a tripod. Please let me know what lighting set up can we purchase that will work with Canon PowerShot S5 IS. Budget is not very high - anything within 500 dollars will suit them. Can they purchase something that will come in a kit? Please share your thou...

    forum.dpreview.com: Read more

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Video Reviews

  • MrTycho: Canon Powershot S5 IS: Zoom Test Canon Powershot S5 IS: Zoom Test Length: Play Video
  • StevenIOWA: Canon  Powershot S5 audio test Canon Powershot S5 audio test Length: Play Video
  • spainelt: Canon S5 IS 48x Test Zoom Canon S5 IS 48x Test Zoom Length: Play Video
  • Canon Waterproof Case WP-DC800 for Powershot S5 Canon Waterproof Case WP-DC800 for Powershot S5 Length: Play Video
  • lostification: New Camera Video Test New Camera Video Test Length: Play Video
  • Suprabt: Canon S5 IS   Zoom Test Canon S5 IS Zoom Test Length: Play Video
  • RB5566: 60fps test 60fps test Length: Play Video
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