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Canon PowerShot S5 IS

Canon PowerShot S5 IS
Canon PowerShot S5 ISCanon PowerShot S5 ISCanon PowerShot S5 ISCanon PowerShot S5 ISCanon PowerShot S5 ISCanon PowerShot S5 IS
alaScore 89

1137 reviews

Apr, 2024

alaTest has collected and analyzed 1137 reviews of Canon PowerShot S5 IS. The average rating for this product is 4.4/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras for all reviews. Reviewers really like the zoom and image quality. The screen and performance also get good opinions. There are mixed opinions on the contrast and viewfinder. Many are less positive about the low light performance and storage.

usability, performance, screen, image quality, zoom

lens, battery, memory, storage, low-light

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Canon PowerShot S5 IS is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 89/100 = Very good quality.

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Review analysis

(Based on 1137 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (51% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (34% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (11% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (2% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (1% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

usability
  Show positive (78%)Show negative (22%)(Show all)
performance
  Show positive (83%)Show negative (17%)(Show all)
screen
  Show positive (90%)Show negative (10%)(Show all)
image quality
  Show positive (82%)Show negative (18%)(Show all)
zoom
  Show positive (92%)Show negative (8%)(Show all)
lens
  Show positive (30%)Show negative (70%)(Show all)
size
  Show positive (64%)Show negative (36%)(Show all)
price
  Show positive (62%)Show negative (38%)(Show all)
portability
  Show positive (75%)Show negative (25%)(Show all)
battery
  Show positive (45%)Show negative (55%)(Show all)
design
  Show positive (80%)Show negative (20%)(Show all)
reliability
  Show positive (69%)Show negative (31%)(Show all)
durability
  Show positive (80%)Show negative (20%)(Show all)
stabilizer
  Show positive (98%)Show negative (2%)(Show all)
flash
  Show positive (50%)Show negative (50%)(Show all)
focus
  Show positive (57%)Show negative (43%)(Show all)
color
  Show positive (93%)Show negative (7%)(Show all)
viewfinder
  Show positive (49%)Show negative (51%)(Show all)
memory
  Show positive (39%)Show negative (61%)(Show all)
storage
  Show positive (39%)Show negative (61%)(Show all)
low-light
  Show positive (33%)Show negative (67%)(Show all)
shutter
  Show positive (32%)Show negative (68%)(Show all)
energy
  Show positive (75%)Show negative (25%)(Show all)
exposure
  Show positive (63%)Show negative (38%)(Show all)
sensor
  Show positive (71%)Show negative (29%)(Show all)
glare
  Show positive (83%)Show negative (17%)(Show all)
contrast
  Show positive (50%)Show negative (50%)(Show all)
optics
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
manual adjust.
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
More features

Showing 518 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

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Showing 1 - 116 of 518 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (595)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Canon PowerShot S5 IS

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 5 user reviews of Canon PowerShot S5 IS from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 3.6/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.co.uk. Reviews about the size and performance are generally positive. The image quality and portability are also mentioned favorably. Some have doubts about the low light performance. There are mixed views on the focus and price.

usability, portability, image quality, performance, size

low-light

100% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Canon PowerShot S5 IS

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 101 user reviews of Canon PowerShot S5 IS from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.6/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.com. Reviewers really like the flash and battery. The performance and price are also appreciated, whereas there are some critical reviews about the lens.

usability, price, performance, battery, flash

lens

95% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Dave Carroll (pcworld.com)

Canon PowerShot S5 IS

 

It's the oldest megazoom camera in this roundup, but it's hardly a dinosaur. Canon's $400 PowerShot S5 IS, released In May 2007, represented the company's latest foray into the advanced, high-zoom digital camera market. Like its 2008 competitors, it...

Sturdy and fully adjustable LCD screen ; Top-notch image stabilization

Poor manual focus ; No RAW support

An articulable LCD, great image stabilization and top-quality photos add up to an above-average megazoom.

Jun, 2008
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Expert review by : Simon Joinson (dpreview.com)

Canon Powershot S5is Review

 

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...

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...

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 quality...

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. Of course that isn't such a terrible thing; this has been a hugely successful series of cameras - for most...

Jul, 2007
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Expert review by : Lori Grunin (cnet.com)

Canon PowerShot S5 IS review

 

Canon PowerShot S5 IS

Tons of manual and automatic features; well-laid-out controls; solid body; nice LCD display.

Lens aberrations and vignetting; some processing artifacts; lacks raw file support; redesigned lens cap still pops off too easily.

Though it remains a good megazoom, thanks to continued image and lens artifacts, the Canon PowerShot S5 IS is slowly losing ground to competitors.

Jun, 2007
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Expert review by : Steve's Digicams (steves-digicams.com)

Canon Powershot S5 IS

 

Continue on to Page Two Powershot S5 IS Specifications Type of Camera Compact digital still camera with built-in flash, 12x Optical/4x Digital/48x Combined Zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer (IS) System Image Capture Device Type 8.0 Megapixel, 1/2.5...

Jul, 2007
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Expert review by : Gavin Stoker (photographyblog.com)

Canon PowerShot S5 IS Review

 

The Canon PowerShot S5 IS is Canon's top-of-the-range ultra-zoom compact camera, with an image-stabilized 12x optical zoom lens offering a focal range of 36-432mm, fast aperture range of f/2.7 f/3.5 ...

In terms of features and handling the more you play with the Canon PowerShot S5 IS, the more you find to like about it, which means that it requires a period of familiarization. Although certain aspects of the...

Sep, 2007
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Expert review by (imaging-resource.com)

Canon PowerShot S5 IS Digital Camera - Full Review

 

The 8-megapixel Canon PowerShot S5 IS digital camera is a moderate update to its very popular predecessor, the Canon S3 IS. The Canon S5 IS maintains many of the S3's strong points, including an image-stabilized 12x optical zoom lens (36mm-432mm/35mm...

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, Blue...

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

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Expert review by : Jack Howard (popphoto.com)

Camera Test: Canon PowerShot S5 IS

 

It seems like every other week here at PopPhoto.com, we're hearing of a new digicam that boasts some superlative: the slimmest ultra-compact, the longest zoom, the most megapixels, fastest burst rate and so on. Then there's the recently released Canon...

Dec, 2008
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Expert review by : fionayb (brighthub.com)

A Review of the Canon PowerShot S5 IS

 

This digital camera review is for the Canon PowerShot S5 IS; a digital camera that offers the best of both worlds: an easy to use digital camera that is ideal for family fun, and a digital camera that is a capable, professional quality all-in-one that...

Dec, 2008
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Expert review by : Jeff Keller (dcresource.com)

Canon PowerShot S5 IS

 

What hasn't changed since the S3? The S5 IS still has a 12X optical zoom lens, optical image stabilization, full manual controls, a rotating LCD display, and a top-notch movie mode. A few things have changed for the worse, though, including the...

Very good photo quality ; 12X optical zoom lens; ultrasonic motor means fast, nearly silent focusing ; Optical image stabilization ; Large and sharp 2.5" LCD can flip-out and rotate; screen is easily visible in low light ; AF-assist lamp, great low...

Redeye a big problem (but at least you can remove it) ; Some purple fringing and corner blurriness; noisy images at higher ISOs ; Electronic viewfinder has low resolution, so-so outdoor visibility ; Overly sensitive zoom controller ; Lousy lens cap ;...

While not perfect, the Canon PowerShot S5 IS is still one of the best ultra zooms on the market. It offers a nice blend of photo quality, performance, and features that appeal to both beginners and enthusiasts. I can recommend the S5 to just about...

Dec, 2007
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Expert review by : Emily Raymond (washingtonpost.com)

Canon PowerShot S5 IS

 

Offering consumers SLR-like functionality in a more portable body, the Canon PowerShot S5 IS has a full range of Manual and Automatic exposure modes, along with 8 megapixels and an optically stabilized 12x optical zoom lens. These features, along with...

We perform extensive scientific testing on digital cameras in our lab to determine a camera's image and video quality. The S5's pictures and videos have excellent color accuracy; your cousin's white wedding dress will come out looking white in the...

Sep, 2007
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Price comparison for Canon PowerShot S5 IS

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