Canon PowerShot Pro Series S5 IS 8.0MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

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 don't mind auto focus this camera is for you.

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!

If you're looking for high-quality photos that you'll love straight out of the box with this camera, you're 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 you're 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, it's 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 you'll love the results. It's a very fun feature to play with, especially if you're 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.

I've seen reviews debate whether the S5 is a good bridge between your typical point and shoot and an SLR. You'll find conflicting opinions, but personally, I think it's great. To use this camera, you'll have to learn about settings, ISOs and so forth, and this can only serve you well with the SLR later on when you decide you're ready.

One of my favorite features is the one-touch video. You won't miss a great clip because you're fumbling with settings, you merely push a button and it begins recording! When you're 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 doesn't 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. Don't be fooled. Unless you're 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 you're deciding between the S3 and the S5, don't let the megapixels decide for you. The only real difference in my opinion is the larger LCD screen on the S5. It's pretty huge as far as digital camera LCDs go, which gives you a better idea of how the photo will print, so it's nice for that reason. Still, the S3 has a decent size display for this purpose and it's a lot cheaper. Really it depends on how much a big LCD means to you.

It is a pretty solid camera. Some people think it's bulky and prefer a lighter, thinner camera. Personally, when I'm holding a camera, I want to feel like I'm 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 don't learn your settings, you can end up with some seriously blurred images.

The batteries and SD card share a space, which I'm 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. You're 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 don't 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 Canon's software - it is HUGE, and you probably won't use most of it, especially if you already have a photo editing program.

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.

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.