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July 08, 2007
[REVIEW—CANON POWERSHOT S5 IS]
Price: $700
Highly Recommended
The low-down: This is the latest version of Canon’s all-in-one long zoom (36–432 mm film equivalent) camera. The lens is impressively fast at f2.7 wide and f3.5 long. Focus is reasonably quick, except at the longest extension. Overall construction quality is superb and the swivelling LCD screen is a wonderful feature which is disappearing from other cameras. All controls are well placed and intuitive to use. As always Canon’s Function and Menu displays are clear and easy to follow. Controls are similar to those on an SLR, with the choice of automatic or user controls. There is an external flash shoe and tele and wide lens extenders are available as options. There is true optical image stabilisation that is effective and necessary when the lens is at its longest. Power is supplied from AA batteries and it will work with good quality alkalines. This means you should factor into the price a set of rechargeable NiMH batteries and charger.
Like: The super macro function is outstanding. Anyone with a passion for small flowers or insects should consider this camera. And the camera is responsive with only the slightest suggestion of shutter lag compared with an SLR. The swivelling LCD screen is a boon that allows the camera to be held on the ground, if necessary, and the viewfinder viewed from above.
Dislike: Once again we deplore the electronic viewfinder, as boring as the repetition may be. What is amazing is that these things never get any better. After several years of application in digital cameras we might expect to see an improvement in the resolution and contrast in these horrible things, but the EVF is not getting any development attention.
Verdict: The Canon S5 IS is one of the best of the pseudo SLR super zooms. The lens is outstanding and the company has kept the pixel count to 8 million. That’s about a million more than we consider ideal and images are a bit noisy at ISO speeds above 200, but not so much so that the picture is degraded. This is a good all-purpose camera with a standout macro ability.
*
Posted by terry at July 8, 2007 08:52 AM
Worth Checking Out
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Comments
Hullo Terry
Thanks (again) for the ever helpful reviews and info
Sorry to request a 'Terry's pic picks' but where else does one
go ?
With not many $, wanting to take macro flora, 'long' birds and landscape and with image quality paramount - what is there around the canon p'shot S5, sony DSC H9, other ?
Cheers
Peter Mumme
PS: lots of new cds available ..
Posted by: peter mumme at July 18, 2007 03:20 AM
Peter: The Canon S5 IS is the best of the super zooms. But you might also consider the Pentax K100D - the cheapest of the digital SLRs. BigW have it on permanent special at $688 inc lens, which is a real bargain. It is a much better camera than any of the all-in-one pseudo SLRs. And at this price it is amazing value for money. Have a look at some of the sample photos that I took with it when I had it for review. [http://www.dpexpert.com.au/gallery/PentaxK100D]
There are usually good second hand lenses around for the Pentax. Lenses from the film cameras fit the digital camera -- it's just a matter of checking compatibility.
TL
[Note for visitors: Peter Mumme is a sound artist who creates beautiful and intriguing soundscapes, taking the sounds of the Australian bush for his starting point and adding his own evocative music. Hence the reference to "lots of new cds".]
Posted by: Terry at July 19, 2007 06:52 AM
Thanks Terry; good idea !
Found two pentax (here in Darwin), BigWillies couldn't open the box - 'there's too much expensive technology inside' - but we found another at the 'Good Guys' (guise?), they've got $ specials running too ($650 for k100d inc 2 sigma cheapo lens if anyone is interested)Tried to swap 2 kit lens for one better one, but to no avail
Will keep on seeking s/h ..
Is Bibble Labs still up there in the pic edit department ?
Hadn't heard of them (either) until you mentioned them - and the program looks really useful
Thanks again
cheers
Peter M
Posted by: peter mumme at July 30, 2007 11:49 PM
Peter: That is a great deal! Camera and two lenses for $650!
Bibble is still a good image processer/RAW converter but it is expensive. If you are using any version of Photoshop post-PS7 you would be better off using Adobe Camera RAW because it is completely integrated into PS [even Elements 5] and is free and does everything the "Develop" module of Adobe Lightroom does. I can't be bothered using an external RAW converter/processor because they all -- including Lightroom -- insert an extra step in the work flow.
TL
Posted by: Terry at July 31, 2007 01:11 AM
G'Day Terry. Well the S2 Is has finally been replaced with the S5. I never thought I would need another camera when I bought the S2 but when I read your report on the S5 last year I knew that one day.....but! 600+ is a lot, however the wait was worthwhile, 499 in JB. Thanks for your great work. May I ask a question. Can you give me a basic set of control settings for every day use of Photoshop Unsharp Mask.
cheers
peter C
Posted by: peter C at February 21, 2008 01:19 AM
Peter: This may seem like a non-answer to your question, but the best instructions for using Unsharp mask are in the Photoshop Help file. It explains everything -- that sharpening is a matter of taste; what happens when you over-sharpen; the function of the Radius slider. It is all there. Hope this helps. TL
Posted by: Terry at February 21, 2008 04:46 AM
hi!
i wanna know whtr canon P.shot S5 IS lens can be extended?
TQ
Posted by: dexterlab at August 28, 2009 02:26 AM