Canon PowerShot S5 IS review

November 23rd, 2007

The latest model in Canon’s popular line of image-stabilized superzoom cameras, the 8-megapixel Canon PowerShot S5 IS is similar to its predecessor, the 6-megapixel PowerShot S3 IS (there’s no S4). The Canon PowerShot S5 IS is more of an evolutionary update than a major upgrade in Canon’s megazoom PowerShot line. That’s okay, since the camera has been updated enough to keep it current but still maintains the attributes that made the S3 IS so popular. Of course I, and probably many other photographers, would welcome the ability to shoot RAW with the Canon S5 IS, but the camera has more than enough features to keep both control-obsessed enthusiasts and point-and-shooters happy. Like most superzooms, the solidly built Canon PowerShot S5 IS has the look and feel of a digital SLR. Thanks to its increased size (2.5-inch vs. the S3’s 2-inch monitor) and higher resolution (207,000 pixels vs. the S3’s 115,000 pixels), the Canon S5 IS’s LCD is a pleasure to use regardless of lighting conditions.Thanks to its increased size (2.5-inch vs. the S3’s 2-inch monitor) and higher resolution (207,000 pixels vs. the S3’s 115,000 pixels), the Canon S5 IS’s LCD is a pleasure to use regardless of lighting conditions. Overall, the Canon PowerShot S5 IS is fast enough for most shooting conditions. Canon’s Face Detection technology seems to be one of the better ones on the market and it works pretty well on the Canon S5 IS. Canon’s Face Detection technology seems to be one of the better ones on the market and it works pretty well on the Canon S5 IS. Despite some corner softness at both extremes (wide angle and full telephoto) and an average amount of barrel distortion at wide angle, the Canon S5 IS’s 12x zoom lens did a good job of producing sharp and nicely-detailed images in well-lit areas. Details became softer in shadows due to noise suppression, though. The Canon S5’s other major shortcoming is an unexpectedly high level of chromatic aberration.The Canon S5’s other major shortcoming is an unexpectedly high level of chromatic aberration.

The Canon PowerShot S5 IS has a lot to offer with its image-stabilized 12x optical zoom lens and well-rounded feature set that provides more than enough sophistication and manual options for advanced amateurs and prosumers, while providing less experienced photographers a solid set of familiar options like Auto, Program AE, and Scene modes. Image noise issues and the appearance of chromatic aberration mar the otherwise pleasing image quality and although the S5 IS benefits in many ways from the latest DIGIC III processor from Canon, its performance could be taken up a notch. The Canon PowerShot S5 IS, however, has so much to offer in terms of features and design that these attributes may be enough to compensate for the camera’s shortcomings. The S5 IS is one of the many megazoom cameras I’ve tested, the S5 IS is one of my favorites.

The latest model in Canon’s popular line of image-stabilized superzoom cameras, the 8-megapixel Canon PowerShot S5 IS is similar to its predecessor, the 6-megapixel PowerShot S3 IS (there’s no S4). The Canon PowerShot S5 IS is more of an evolutionary update than a major upgrade in Canon’s megazoom PowerShot line. That’s okay, since the camera has been updated enough to keep it current but still maintains the attributes that made the S3 IS so popular. Of course I, and probably many other photographers, would welcome the ability to shoot RAW with the Canon S5 IS, but the camera has more than enough features to keep both control-obsessed enthusiasts and point-and-shooters happy. Like most superzooms, the solidly built Canon PowerShot S5 IS has the look and feel of a digital SLR. Thanks to its increased size (2.5-inch vs. the S3’s 2-inch monitor) and higher resolution (207,000 pixels vs. the S3’s 115,000 pixels), the Canon S5 IS’s LCD is a pleasure to use regardless of lighting conditions.Thanks to its increased size (2.5-inch vs. the S3’s 2-inch monitor) and higher resolution (207,000 pixels vs. the S3’s 115,000 pixels), the Canon S5 IS’s LCD is a pleasure to use regardless of lighting conditions. Overall, the Canon PowerShot S5 IS is fast enough for most shooting conditions. Canon’s Face Detection technology seems to be one of the better ones on the market and it works pretty well on the Canon S5 IS. Canon’s Face Detection technology seems to be one of the better ones on the market and it works pretty well on the Canon S5 IS. Despite some corner softness at both extremes (wide angle and full telephoto) and an average amount of barrel distortion at wide angle, the Canon S5 IS’s 12x zoom lens did a good job of producing sharp and nicely-detailed images in well-lit areas. Details became softer in shadows due to noise suppression, though. The Canon S5’s other major shortcoming is an unexpectedly high level of chromatic aberration.The Canon S5’s other major shortcoming is an unexpectedly high level of chromatic aberration.

The Canon PowerShot S5 IS has a lot to offer with its image-stabilized 12x optical zoom lens and well-rounded feature set that provides more than enough sophistication and manual options for advanced amateurs and prosumers, while providing less experienced photographers a solid set of familiar options like Auto, Program AE, and Scene modes. Image noise issues and the appearance of chromatic aberration mar the otherwise pleasing image quality and although the S5 IS benefits in many ways from the latest DIGIC III processor from Canon, its performance could be taken up a notch. The Canon PowerShot S5 IS, however, has so much to offer in terms of features and design that these attributes may be enough to compensate for the camera’s shortcomings. The S5 IS is one of the many megazoom cameras I’ve tested, the S5 IS is one of my favorites.

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Entry Filed under: PowerShot, Canon, Digital SLR Camera, Digital Camera