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04/30/2008 10:44:05 PM · #1 |
Well I've been looking for a very versatile, easy to control camera that can be taken places that may not allow my xti. I still want to have mainly manual control over it and zoom is a big factor if I want to take it to baseball games and things of that nature. I like the Canon Power Shot S5 IS, does anyone have any experience with this camera or any other like it that may work?
As always thanks in advance for your valued opinions.
ETA: Lightweight is another reason I want a smaller camera is for backpacking, and using as a backup to my XTI.
Message edited by author 2008-04-30 22:45:05.
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04/30/2008 11:17:34 PM · #2 |
I may be the most active user of an S5 here on DPC at the moment. As you have already seen, the S5 equipment page looks similar to my portfolio page. (I'm rather proud of that dubious accomplishment!) I've been submitting to challenges with it from almost when I joined DPC last year. I got my SLR in February, but still use the S5 quite a bit. My highest scoring entry was shot with it, and I have not beaten it yet.
The biggest shortcoming you will find is that low light/high ISO performance is not what you are used to with the XTi. For snapshots at night it will do ok, but don't expect the low light performance you are used to. It has similar limits in that regard to to other small sensor compacts. Here are some nighttime halftime shots that I took with mine. I did do some noise removal in PSP, but it gives you some idea what you can expect from it in such conditions. these were shot at ISO 400 or 800, but you can pull the Exif up from the properties link and see what they were at.
//www.flickr.com/photos/yospiff/2056052127/
//www.flickr.com/photos/yospiff/2056051749/
//www.flickr.com/photos/yospiff/2056836566/
//www.flickr.com/photos/yospiff/1848832650/
Here's a copy and paste of a comparison I posted in a discussion on flickr:
SLR pluses:
-Image quality, especially in low light.
-Ability to expand with add-on lenses (that could be a minus because of cost)
-manual focus is much easier, simply turn the barrel.
-Autofocus is faster and more accurate
-Image through viewfinder is much better, because it is a real image, not an EVF
SLR minuses:
-Larger and bulkier (though I have heard some SLR owners complain about entry level SLR's being too small)
-More expensive batteries (aftermarket batteries for my Rebel are $20-30)
-Need additional len$e$ for macro and zoom, stabilized lenses are way more expensive.
-Hassle factor
-No live view or swivel screen (though with newer models it is becoming a standard feature.)
-Info display is not as user friendly as the overlays on the S5 screen.
S5 pluses (that have not already been mentioned):
-S5 gives more feedback on the shot. If under or overexposed, the S5 display goes dark or light when you depress the shutter for focus.
- tilt and swivel screen is very handy when shooting with a tripod, or at odd perspectives. I like perspective views and it's more difficult with the rebel to frame my shots.
-SD cards for the S5 are dirt cheap now. I bought a 1Gb card for $7 the other day and a 4 Gb for $20. CF's are cheap as well, but still priced a little higher. (Getting 4Gb CF's for under $30 on special)
-small sensor/short focal length makes it good for macros with a fairly deep DOF.
-In super macro, the S5 can focus with the lens actually touching the subject. (I know someone from the S5 group on flickr that does some awesome macros with his S5 and a Raynox macro converter.)
If the S5 had better low light performance, then I would have probably just gotten some conversion lenses. I still love this camera and will continue to use it in the areas where it shines.
Technically it is a "point and shoot", or a "superzoom". I prefer to call it an "advanced compact".
It's a great little camera, and a good little brother to the SLR, in my opinion.
Hope this all helps. If you have any other questions I can answer about it, I'll try to give you the objective view, both good and bad.
Message edited by author 2008-04-30 23:29:54.
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04/30/2008 11:18:03 PM · #3 |
I've had both the S1 and the S3 models. I got them particularly for their versatility, but like most things like that, they do most things pretty darned well but probably nothing excellently.
The biggest limitation is that I find the small sensors to have really a lot of noise at higher ISO settings -- 400 and up, so there's a limit on the quality of photo you can get in low-light settings if you don't use a flash. I'd check at DPReview and look at the color samples to decide for yourself. The shutter-lag can be slow if you're used to dSLR performance, but you can still get some good action/panning shots with it. I find I can accidentaly hit the Menu button if I try and grip/use it one-handed (I do that a lot). The rocker button used to change settings seems kinda wimpy.
I don't know if they've added RAW capability to the S5 -- mine is JPEG-only. I *think* there's a "hack" somewhere which let's you "update" the firmware to add RAW support, but that might void your warranty ...
Big advantages are the "Super-Macro" mode which will focus down to 0cm (if it can't find anything else it will focus on the dust on the lens!), and the flip/tilt LCD screen which allows shooting at unusual angles.
It has many "modes" along with all manual controls, and manual focus (though I find that limited by the EVF system); the Stitch-Assist mode is very helpful for shooting a series for panoramic images.
The zoom is great, though the wide-angle (at least on mine) isn't very wide (36mm); if it was your primary camera, you could get 0.75 wide-angle and 1.5 telephoto adapter lenses. Even without those, you might want to get the lens adapter/hood kit, which also allows you to use 58mm filters.
It uses AA batteries and cheap SD cards.
As I mentioned, you can use it one-handed. You can push one button to start taking movies regardless of mode, and you can zoom during recording. If you can get the somewhat sticky lens cap off it starts up pretty quickly -- if you want something you can carry around and quickly grab to shoot a "breaking story" it's not bad ... |
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04/30/2008 11:19:53 PM · #4 |
I have an S2 IS, and when I got the D40  Becky-Leestarted using it. She liked it well enough that she bought herself the S5 and loves it.
I really miss having the zoom and super-macro at my fingertips. |
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04/30/2008 11:28:23 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
I don't know if they've added RAW capability to the S5 -- mine is JPEG-only. I *think* there's a "hack" somewhere which let's you "update" the firmware to add RAW support, but that might void your warranty . |
The CHDK hack came out for the S5 only a few weeks back. The original version only worked with the Digic II processor and not the S5's Digic III. You do need to have an S5 with the proper firmware to use it. Mine does not have the right one. Here are some links to a couple of extensive discussion about it on flickr:
CHDK link list
CHDK for S5 now available
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04/30/2008 11:39:06 PM · #6 |
Here are some (maybe not the best, to judge by the DPC scores though) examples from my entries ...
Low-light:    with flash: 
Long zoom/action shots:   
Macro:   |
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05/01/2008 12:36:24 AM · #7 |
WOW, Thank you very much for the in depth opinions, very helpful!!
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