- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 50 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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10 out of 15 people found this review helpful
2.0 stars
"S5 IS is Merely a Beefed Up S3 IS (Nothing More)"
Pros: Well Constructed, Well Planned Controls Design, True Stereo Recording
Cons: Image Aberrations, Vignetting, Barrel & Pincushion Distortion, Etc.
Summary: Originally owned the S2 IS (5 MP) which was excellent. Along came the S3 IS (6 MP) which was great, but I noticed that problems began to arise with the S3 IS at the long end of the lens. Although this was an issue, I managed to work through the gripes. Now, here we sit chatting about the S5 IS (8 MP) version of the same camera with a bit more beef (not choice grade either). The bottom line here folks is that you had better not expect a grand leap if you already own the S3 IS. Rather, be prepared to be very dismayed with the results. The S3 IS produces much sharper and color-accurate images than the S5 IS. Additionally, the S5 IS has a problem with lens creep (for those of you who have not used it extensively and found this out as of yet). In reference to the batteries being placed with the SD slot, I feel that it is not even a relevant issue given that it?s so trivial compared to the poor image quality. I did not return the S5 IS, but I did give it to my nephew given that I knew I would take a 25% restocking fee hit which wasn?t acceptable. He?ll have plenty of fun with the camera and enjoy it for what it?s worth (not much of anything IMHO). The bottom line, if you?re going to spend this much money on the S5 IS, then you?re making a mistake. Buy the Nikon D40X or the Sony Alpha (or other comparable DSLR) which would be money well spent on quality. In conclusion, on a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate this unit as a 5 to be fair given the problems with the images. As a side note, I would like to add that I am a professional photographer who likes to carry around spur-of-the-moment cameras that take good pictures, and I argue that the S5 IS is one that should be avoided. Thanks for listening.
- 2 replies to this review
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I would have to disagree. I own the Canon S3 and the Canon S5 both. I like my Canon S5 more then the S3. I think the quality of the pictures is the same. The S5 has the face detection which the S3 don't have. Being a 8 mp compared to the 6 mp matters only a little to me. I have taken some wonderful pictures with both my S3 and S5 and would never knock either. I bought both of my camera's used and have had no problems with either of them. If I would tell someone to buy one or the other then it would be the Canon S5. I'm not a professional photographer just a person the enjoys taking pictures. I looked at all kinds of reviews before buying my Canon S5 and everything I saw was good and I would have to agree. The only con would be I don't like the new memory card location with the batteries. I hate having to go there to remove it so now I use the cord to transfer which I found to be faster in the long run and less wear on my camera. I hope this helps the next person.
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I couldn't argue with that. I own the S2IS and for now I wouldn't consider wasting money on some new selling features. I'm looking for a true wow factor!
Where to buy
Canon PowerShot S5 IS:
$799.95
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
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Amazon.com Marketplace
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$799.95 | Yes |
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