Home > Consumer Reviews > Canon PowerShot S5 IS Digital Camera - Black (8.0MP, 12x Optical Zoom) 2.5" LCD

Without doubt, this is the best compact camera I have come across - I normally use a Canon EOS-1nHS film camera, and have despite trying many digital items, have never found one I wanted to own.
This is much better, with handling similar to a top-notch SLR, superb quality images, lots of different settings, and if you have any knowledge of how a camera works, it is possible to start using it without even looking at the instructions!
You can also set up features as shortcuts, if you find the need to used something that is not instantly available (which I would guess is pretty unlikely)
The zoom has an excellent 12x range, and even the digital zoom (which extends it to 48x) gives good quality images.
Definitely highly recommended and a good complement to the EOS system, if you can't be bothered to carry everything around or you're limited for space.
Amazon delivery was lightning quick, box arrived before 8am (1pm promised) on day after I placed order.
Product and service, both definitely 5 stars! Thank you.

I have a Canon IXUS 750 already that goes everywhere with me but I need more control for portraits and differential focusing. I started looking at Digital SLRs and rejected them on weight and lack of video [video on this camera and on the IXUS 750 is better than camcorder standard].

I was initially put off the Canon as one review said the SD card could not be loaded directly into a PC - that the USB link always had to be used. This is not so.

I spent a week comparing Olympus SP-550, Lumix DMC-FZ8 and Canon S5 IS reviews. The feel of the Canon was just so much nicer than the others, so I ordered it from Amazon and 21 hours later it was in my hand. Fantastic service as always.

Results on super macro and long focus and video are outstanding. Handling is super. Only quibble is the battery compartment which has a really fiddly open/close - for me. Otherwise I wonder why I even looked at the other cameras - this is the first camera I have found to be better than my venerable Canon A-1 35mm SLR.

I reviewed no end of cameras but this one jumped out at me. Amazon had the camera plus a case and a charger with NiMH batteries in my hands within hours of ordering. 2700mAH rechargeables last very well.

Yes, of course, SD cards above 2GB become SDHC cards and need to be used with inexpensive USB readers sometimes supplied in the same pack as the card itself.

I don't have a problem with the battery door mechanism myself, the unlock latch is larger than on some similar devices I have owned so I can unflip the door quite easily with my thumb.

I bought this camera to take images and video to end up on web sites not art galleries. If I needed a camera for the latter reason I would buy a high-end SLR but it meets and exceeds my requirements for the former very well indeed.

Video recording is easy, just push a button and shoot. Stereo sound is recorded and you can preselect auto or manual level control. Yes you can take a photo during video recording but it will trigger a pause in the video so use this feature as appropriate for the result you need.

The camera feels comfortable and the pivoting display is very useful. I was able to use it straight out of the box with scant regard to the basic printed manual. Further in-depth manuals are provided in PDF format on a CD for further study. The menus are logical and easy to navigate. I am growing more comfortable with this camera the more I use it.

Like I said, "Splendid Value!".

I bought the S5 last year, having previously owned the S3is. Overall, the camera has met my expectations. OK, its not as good as a full DSLR, but at less than half the price of a DSLR + lens, it is good value as a versatile point and shoot.

Pros -
Looks like a real SLR!
Easy to handle
Excellent zoom range
Wide angle and tele lens are available to extend the zoom even further
Light enough to easily carry on your shoulder
Very good image quality at low ISO. I enlarge to A4 size and and am pleased with the results
Uses standard AA batteries which you can buy anywhere
Decent recycling time on the built in flash
Has a number of different photo modes if you want to experiment
Hot shoe is a nice feature
Viewing screen is good (much better than S3)

Cons -
The supplied memory card is far too small, be prepared to buy a bigger card. I use the Sandisk Extreme III 2gb card.
Not good in poor light - like many compacts, photo quality suffers as the ISO increases
Too big to just slip into your pocket (if that matters to you)

Tips
Buy a case for it!
Be prepared to invest in a dedicated flashgun if you do a lot of indoor photography in big rooms
Buy a bigger memory card

I originally had the S3 IS but had to return it due to problems with the zoom motor. I am always wary of buying such items online but amazons customer services were better than any shops I have ever used!

The S5 IS was a natural replacement as I loved the S3 and I was not disappointed. The camera itself feels good to hold, is a nice weight and has an unusual screen that can be twisted around to suit your needs and be closed to protect it when not in use. The zoom is fantastic and I have taken some cracking close up shots.

If there is one thing I didn't like, it would be that the SD card is in the same compartment as the batteries and its a little clumsy to open and close. I would definately recommend this camera for the quality of pictures and the fact that it looks like a much more expensive camera than it is.

Buy it, you won't be disappointed