Compare Prices : Canon PowerShot S5 IS - Expert Reviews

Review summary: The Canon Powershot S5 IS performed very well in most of my tests and also has more features to get your hands on than most of its rivals. With all the features it takes a bit of time to really get to grips with the camera, but the effort will be ...

Pros: Pull out and twist LCD screen - Fast reacting lens - Focusable viewfinder - Range of features

Cons: Loss of sharpness towards edge of photo when full zoom used

Verdict: The Canon Powershot S5 IS is a feature rich super zoom digital camera. In terms of controls and settings it has the edge over all its rivals. Picture quality is very good overall and outstanding in places.

Pros: 12x zoom, Sharp pictures, Great colour response, Lots of features

Cons: Chromatic aberration issues, Slow burst mode

Verdict: Another strong ultra-zoom digital camera from Canon, the PowerShot S5 IS is no longer the dominating choice in this market as its predecessor was, but it still offers a good overall package if you can look past some minor flaws.

Review summary: When is an SLR not an SLR? When it's a Canon S5. The S5 certainly lookslike one with its large lens, chunky handgrip, hotshoe for externalflash and enough switches and dials to start a science experiment

Pros: Excellent lens, Very good image quality, Impressive Face Detection technology

Cons: Image noise at higher ISOs, Shutter delay compared with SLRs

Verdict: This SLR-lookalike is a capable compact with a superb lens, and turns out quality images

Review summary: The S5 IS' lens has a fast maximum aperture of f/2.7 and produces sharp images throughout the 12x zoom range

Pros: Excellent lens, Very good image quality, Impressive Face Detection technology

Cons: Image noise at higher ISOs, Shutter delay compared with SLRs

Verdict: Aim it at a group of people, such as at a wedding, and it'll lock on to one of them. It has to be said, however, it isn't totally reliable, although in half-decent light it certainly works a treat

Award: Recommended!

Review summary: The enduring popularity of Canon's 'big zoom' range began on the day the original PowerShot S1 IS was announced back at the start of 2004, heralding a return to a sector of the market many believed the photo giant had abandoned when the Pro 90 IS was ...

Pros: Excellent resolution, good detail at lower ISOs (though output a little soft), Good color, good exposure, generally accurate focus gives a high 'hit rate' even in auto mode, Huge photographic versatility with 36-432mm lens and super macro mode, Image ...

Cons: Noise and noise reduction effects visible at anything over ISO 100, ISO 800 and 1600 very noisy and of limited use, Wider wideangle would be nice, SD card slot now in battery compartment - battery cover awkward to open and close, Barely any image ...

Verdict: Although it represents a more significant upgrade than the S3 IS was over the S2 IS, the S5 IS doesn't really see Canon breaking much new ground.