Compare Prices : Canon PowerShot S5 IS - Expert Reviews

Review summary: The sturdily built Canon PowerShot S5 IS is what is commonly known as a 'bridge' camera - so called because it forms a bridge between a point-and-shoot compact and a digital SLR.

Verdict: With a little care and attention, the Canon PowerShot S5 IS delivers the goods. It has a 12x zoom, a flip and twist screen, and is fast, intuitive, light and compact. Unfortunately, you get image noise on shots taken above ISO400, plus occasional ...

Pros: Loaded with advanced, easy-to-use features ; Efficient control layout ; Easy access to settings ; 12x image stabilized optical zoom lens ; Hot shoe for external flash ; Extensive fine-tuning options, including skin tones and individual Red, Green, ...

Cons: Image noise visible at ISO 200 and above ; Noise suppression in shadows softens details ; Chromatic aberration ; No RAW mode

Verdict: 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 (Canon skipped a number so there's no S4). Both have an image ...

Review summary: The Canon PowerShot S5 IS is sturdy, fast and easy to use. With a 12x image stablised superzoom, it produces sharp, colourful images. The zoom even works when you switch to movie capture mode, making this camera a well-priced alternative to many dSLRs ...

Pros: Fast in operation ; menus simple to navigate ; great video controls and stereo sound ; sharp colourful images even at maximum telephoto ; sturdy build with comfortably rounded hand grip ; zoom range which is also accessible in video mode

Cons: Non-rechargeable AA batteries supplied ; no raw capture ; plastic feel body ; image noise immediately visible upwards of ISO 400

Verdict: Like any superzoom, the S5 IS boasts an impressive focal range within compact dimensions -- the theory being that it won't matter that you can't swap lenses, this will be all you'll ever need. For those who don't need the bells and whistles of a dSLR, ...

Review summary: The 8-megapixel Canon PowerShot S5 IS bridge camera boasts a 12x zoom lens and full manual control.

Pros: Nicely balanced, plenty of features

Cons: Image noise, fringing, poor low-light performance, inconsistent image quality, we could go on

Verdict: The term 'Jack of all trades' was invented for this camera, and the rest of the cliché also rings true. Bridge cameras should be all-rounders, but the Canon PowerShot S5 IS performs inconsistently in different situations.

Award: Recommended!

Review summary: Canon's super-zoom model has had a bit of a make-over.

Verdict: The Canon PowerShot S5 IS is unquestionably the most versatile digital camera on the market, with a powerful high quality zoom lens, superb image stabilisation, class-leading performance and what may be the best AF system on the market. It has a huge ...