Review & Assessment of The Canon PowerShot S5 IS
Review and Assessment of the Canon PowerShot Pro Series S5 IS 8.0MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Summary
Okay, you're looking at your friends' DSLR(s) and you have definite camera lust, but have no desire to spend thousands of dollars on expensive zoom lenses and other pro gear, when all you really want is a good zoom lens on a digital compact body. Hmm... well, it seems the Canon PowerShot Pro Series S5 IS 8.0MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom is the camera for you.
This zoom digital camera is powered by Canon's DIGIC III processors, the higher end and faster image processor, like the ones used in the Canon 1D III. Not only does this mean you will get fast shots, but it also means that the 8MP(MegaPixel) images will be processed in the highest detail possible. Combine this with a 12X optical zoom lens that is optically stabilized, and you have a winning combination in a small package!
Like Canon's more expensive lenses, the autofocus mechanism on this camera is powered by Canon's USM(Ultra Sonic Motor), which provides FAST and SILENT operation. The lens is also image stabilized, ensuring that even if the excitement of the moment has your hands shaking, your photographs won't reveal this fact. The lens is also made of ultra-low dispersion materials, ensuring that things like purple fringing and chromatic aberrations will not be making an appearance in your images.
Unlike the pro cameras that other folks have, this camera will be able to take movie clips in high resolution and at full frame rates. So, while others are lugging around a camera, their lens, AND a camcorder, you've got it all in one compact and easy to carry package.
Accessories
Memory Cards
The S5 will take great pictures, but without someplace to put the images, it really doesn't mean much. Invest a bit more and get a A-Data Super SDHC 8GB Class 2 Memory Card. 8GB of SDHC storage means fast, reliable, and longer shoot times before filling up the chip. For those of you who like to get right into the action, this is key! Want to shoot underwater? Well, 8GB will let you shoot as long as you'd like, without needing to take your camera out of that protective gear! Shoot longer and get more shooting done, without the interruption of swapping cards!
Batteries
This camera uses 4 AA batteries of the NIMH or LITHIUM variety. This means you can pick up replacement batteries for this camera just about anywhere you go. You can't go wrong with a few Polaroid Compatible Pro Series Premium High Capacity AA 2700 mAh Rechargeable Ni-MH Battery 8-PACK for Select I / PDC Model Digial Cameras ** Includes Astral Display Mousepad & Battery Holder **. With two sets of 4 AA 2700 mAH batteries, you'll be able to handle a whole weekend of shooting!
Chargers
Concerned about running out of juice or not wanting to carry alot of batteries? Get a charger! With NIMH and Lithium Ion batteries, it is important to make sure you have the right charger for the job. For instance, the Sony Quick Battery Charger with 4 AA Ni-MH Rechargeable Batteries, can charge NIMH batteries, but for lithium batteries, you will need another kind of charger. Regardless of the kind, be prepared for your weekend or week long getaways and get yourself a charger for the trip!
The Canon PowerShot Pro Series S5 IS 8.0MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Specs
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Specifications
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| Type of Camera | |
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Type of Camera |
Compact digital still camera with built-in flash, 12x Optical/4x Digital/48x Combined Zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer (IS) System |
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| Image Capture Device | |
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Type |
8.0 Megapixel, 1/2.5 inch type Charge Coupled Device (CCD) |
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Total Pixels |
Approx. 8.3 Megapixels |
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Effective Pixels |
Approx. 8.0 Megapixels |
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| Lens | |
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Focal Length |
6.0-72.0mm f/2.7-3.5 (35mm film equivalent: 36-432mm) |
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Digital Zoom |
4x |
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Focusing Range |
Normal: 1.6 ft./50cm-infinity (WIDE), 3.0 ft./90cm-infinity (TELE) |
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Autofocus System |
TTL Autofocus |
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| Viewfinder & Monitor | |
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Viewfinder |
0.33-inch low-temperature polycrystalline silicon TFT color LCD electronic viewfinder |
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LCD Monitor |
2.5-inch low-temperature polycrystalline silicon TFT color LCD screen, Vari-angle type with wide viewing angle |
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LCD Pixels |
Approx. 207,000 pixels |
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LCD Coverage |
100% |
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| Aperture and Shutter | |
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Maximum Aperture |
f/2.7 (W) - f/3.5 (T) |
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Shutter Speed |
15-1/3200 sec. (settable in Tv and M) |
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| Exposure Control | |
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ISO Sensitivity |
Auto, High ISO Auto, ISO 80/100/200/400/800/1600 |
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Light Metering Method |
Evaluative*, Center-weighted average, Spot** * Control to incorporate facial brightness in Face Detection AF |
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Exposure Control Method |
Program AE, Shutter Speed-Priority AE, Aperture-Priority AE, Manual; AE Lock available |
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Exposure Compensation |
+/-2 stops in 1/3-stop increments |
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| White Balance | |
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White Balance Control |
Auto, Preset (Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash), Custom |
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| Flash | |
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Built-in Flash |
Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On w/Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; FE lock, Safety FE available |
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Flash Range |
Normal: 1.6-17 ft./50cm-5.2m (W), 3.0-13 ft./90cm-4.0m (T) |
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Recycling Time |
12 sec. or less (battery voltage=6.0V) |
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Flash Exposure Compensation |
+/-2 stops in 1/3-stop increments |
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| Shooting Specifications | |
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Shooting Modes |
Auto; Creative: P, Av, Tv, M, C; Image: Portrait, Landscape, Sports, Special Scene (Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Aquarium, Indoor, Night Scene, Color Accent, Color Swap), Night Snapshot, Super Macro, Stitch Assist, Movie |
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Self-Timer |
Activates shutter after an approx. 2-sec./10-sec. delay, Custom |
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Wireless Control |
Not available |
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Continuous Shooting |
Approx. 1.5 fps; AF/LV: approx. 0.9 fps |
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| Image Storage | |
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Storage Media |
SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, MultiMediaCard |
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File Format |
Design rule for camera file system, DPOF Version 1.1 |
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JPEG Compression Mode |
Still Image: Exif 2.2 (JPEG) Movie: AVI (Image: Motion JPEG; Audio: WAVE (Stereo)) |
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Number of Recording Pixels |
Still Image: 640 x 480 (Small), 1,600 x 1,200 (Medium 3), 2,048 x 1,536 (Medium 2), 2,592 x 1,944 (Medium 1), 3,264 x 2,448 (Large), 3,264 x 1,832 (Widescreen) |
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| Number of Recordable Images | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Time of Recordable Movies | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Storage Capacity varies depending on camera settings. This data is estimated from Canon's standard shooting conditions. Figures for Movie Mode represent total capacity of the particular media. |
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| Playback Specifications | |
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Playback Modes File |
Still Image: Single, Magnification (approx. 2x-10x), Jump, Auto Rotate, Rotate, Resume, My Colors, My Category, Histogram, Index (9 thumbnails), Sound Memos, Slide Show, Red-eye Correction |
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| Erasing Specifications | |
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Erase Modes |
Still Image: single image, select by date, select by category, select by folder, all images |
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| Interfaces | |
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Computer Interface |
USB 2.0 Hi-Speed (mini-B jack) |
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Video Out |
NTSC/PAL |
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Audio Out |
Stereo |
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Other |
Memory card slot; direct connection to Canon CP and SELPHY Compact Photo Printers, PIXMA Photo Printers and PictBridge-compatible printers via camera's USB 2.0 Hi-Speed cable |
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| Power Supply | |
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Power Source |
1. AA-size Alkaline Battery (x4) 2. Rechargeable AA-size NiMH Battery (x4) |
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Shooting Capacity |
Still Image: approx. 170 shots (AA-size Alkaline Battery); approx. 450 shots (AA-size NiMH Battery)* |
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Playback Time |
Approx. 12 hours (AA-size Alkaline Battery); approx. 15 hours (AA-size NiMH Battery)*
* LCD screen on. The above figures comply with CIPA testing standards and apply when fully-charged batteries are used. |
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| Physical Specifications | |
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Operating Temperature |
32-104 |
