The modish study direction Canon's plain 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-stabilized 12x optical zoom lens with a focal range of 36-432mm (35mm equivalent), an SLR-like design, an articulated LCD, and a versatile feature set that mixes a full range of manual exposure controls (Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual) with easy-to-use Auto, Program, and Scene modes.

Basic Specifications
Resolution:	8.00 Megapixels
Lens:	12.00x zoom (36-432mm eff)
Viewfinder:	EVF / LCD
LCD Size:	2.5 inch
ISO:	80-1600
Shutter:	15-1/3200
Max Aperture:	2.7
Mem Type:	SDHC / SD
Battery:	4 x AA
Dimensions:	4.6x3.1x3.1in (117x80x78mm)
Weight:	20.2 oz (574 g)
MSRP:	$500
Availability:	07/2007

Measuring 4.6 x 3.15 x 3.06 inches (117.0 x 80.0 x 77.7mm) again weighing 1.25 pounds (574g) with clump again card, the Canon S5 IS is slightly more fitting and heavier than the S3 IS, in part to accommodate Canon S5 IS's new 2.5-inch LCD. The LCD's resolution has also been upgraded from 115,000 to 207,000 pixels. Both are welcome changes and increase the LCD's usability, especially in bright light and when using manual focus. The Canon S5 IS now sports a hotshoe so users can take advantage of Canon's powerful Speedlite flash units. The physical changes are rounded out by minor control changes and a new, spring-loaded lens cap in place of the S3's slip-on design.

Internally, the Canon S5 IS's processor has been updated to DIGIC III and, not surprisingly, the camera offers Face Detection Autofocus besides Auto spread over supplementary accurate capture of group and single portraits. Maximum ISO has jumped to 1,600 and ISO Shift has been added so you can adjust light sensitivity on the fly if you need a faster shutter speed. Safety FE helps avoid overexposed highlights when using flash and Safety MF allows you to use autofocus to tweak manually focused images.

Other additions to the Canon S5 have the know-how to applicable red-eye esteem Playback, and two new Continuous Shooting options: Continuous Autofocus and Live View. The former is self-explanatory; the latter's name is confusing but it allows you to use a single, manually set focus point when shooting in Continuous mode. Unfortunately, the Canon S5 IS loses the S3's High Speed Continuous Shooting and, in fact, the new camera's continuous shooting speed is slower than its predecessor. There's no Intervalometer mode for time lapse shooting on the Canon S5, although up to 4GB of movie clips can now be recorded (versus the S3's 1 GB). A new LP (Long Play) option, much like the LP of VHS days, increases recording length in movie mode.

The Canon S5 IS has the works the components to frame both with it shooters who hankering control over their images and novices who want to hone their digital photography skills, most notably a well-rounded, advanced feature set with a respectable number of bells and whistles, a long zoom, and effective optical image stabilization. The Canon S5 IS is one of the better megazooms on the market, but image quality issues may take it down a notch.

The Canon PowerShot's S5 IS roomy parameter give blessing combined with its image-stabilized 12x optical surge lens will please photographers who want a solidly built and capable non-DSLR camera with all the bells and whistles. Aside from the omission of a RAW mode, the Canon S5 IS is one of the more capable megazooms on the market. External controls and easy access to setting changes add to the Canon S5's appeal, as does its excellent movie mode with stereo sound. The Canon S5's automatic and semi-manual functions will be comforting to snapshooters looking to step up and/or develop their photographic skills. Noise and chromatic aberration issues, unfortunately, detract from the camera's otherwise pleasing image quality. Still, the Canon S5 IS serves as both a camcorder and a long zoom, all-purpose event capturing device, and we think it's one of the best on the market. We give the S5 IS a Dave's Pick for overall utility, quiet, reliable operation, and a refined interface.

Basic Features

• 8.0-megapixel CCD
• 12x optical zoom lens (equivalent to a 36-432mm lens on a 35mm camera)
• 4x digital zoom.
• 2.5-inch articulated color LCD monitor
• Electronic Viewfinder
• Program Automatic Exposure
• Aperture- and shutter-priority modes
• Full Manual exposure mode
• Built-in pop-up flash with red-eye reduction
• SD/SDHC card compatibility
• USB high speed connection
• Four AA alkaline batteries included
• 32MB SD card included
• Software for Mac and PC

Special Features

• Optical Image Stabilization: Shooting, Continuous, Panning
• Automatic Face Detection AE/AF
• Multiple continuous shooting modes, including Continuous Shooting AF
• ISO from 100-1600 and High ISO mode
• ISO Shift
• Safety FE and MF options
• Hotshoe
• On-board red-eye correction (in Playback)
• High resolution movies with stereo sound
• Wind filter, audio capture adjustment settings
• Shutter Speeds from 15 sec to 1/3,200 sec
• Multiple creative options, i.e., My Colors
• Contrast/Sharpness/Saturation/Red/Green/Blue and skin tone adjustments
• Multiple White Balance settings, including Manual
• Exposure Bracketing and AF Bracketing
• Adjustable Flash Intensity
• Multiple Metering and AF modes
• Continuous AF
• Selectable AF points
• Live Histogram and Pattern/Grid Overlay
• Wide angle and telephoto accessory lenses and filters available