Review: Canon PowerShot S5 IS

The PowerShot S5 IS has an average bundle. Inside the box, you'll find:

* The 8.0 effective Megapixel PowerShot S5 camera
* 32MB Secure Digital memory card
* Four AA alkaline batteries
* Neck strap
* USB cable
* A/V output cable
* CD-ROM featuring Canon Digital Camera Solution
* 33 page basic + 201 page advanced + 84 page software manuals (all printed)

Canon includes a 32MB memory card with the S5, which holds a grand total of eight photos at the highest quality setting. So, unless you have one laying around, you'll want to pick up a larger card right away. The S5 supports SD, SDHC, and MMC media, and I'd recommend picking up a 1GB card at the very least. If you plan on taking a lot of movies, spring for a 4GB SDHC card. Having a high speed card is important with this camera, so look for one with a speed rating of at least 60X (for SD) or Class 4 (for SDHC).

Like its predecessors, the S5 IS uses four AA batteries for power. Canon includes four alkaline batteries in the box, which will quickly find their way into your trash can. Thus, you'll want to get a set or two of NiMH rechargeable batteries (2500 mAh or better) and a fast charger.

The PowerShot S5's design has changed very little since the S3. And that's a good thing, because it's was a pretty well designed camera to start with. The S5 is made of a mixture of plastic and metal, and it feels really solid in your hands. Speaking of which, there's a large grip for your right hand, while your left hand can fit comfortably under the lens barrel.

The camera's button layout still leaves something to be desired. There are buttons all over the place, and not necessarily in easy-to-reach locations. That said, the controls you'll use the most are within easy reach of your fingers.

The S5 has put on a little weight compared to the S3, due to its larger LCD. The S5 is average-sized, though slightly heavier than the competition. While it's certainly not going to fit into you jeans pocket, the S5 is still not much of a burden to carry over your shoulder, in a jacket pocket, or in a camera bag.

The PowerShot S5 has the same F2.7-3.5, 12X optical zoom lens as its predecessor. This lens has a focal length of 6 - 72 mm, which is equivalent to 36 - 432 mm. The lens has an ultrasonic motor, so it moves silently, which is important when it comes time to record movies. While the lens itself is not threaded, you can remove the plastic ring around the lens barrel (by pressing the button to the lower-left) and attach the optional conversion lens adapter.

Hidden deep inside the lens is Canon's optical image stabilization system. Image stabilizers help counteract the effects of "camera shake". You'll notice this mostly when the camera is at the telephoto end of the lens or in low light, where tiny movements of your hand turn into big movements in your photo, resulting in blurring. The camera detects this motion, and moves a lens element to compensate for it. It won't work miracles, but it will allow you to get blur-free photos at shutter speeds that would be unusable on an unstabilized camera.

So if you are in the market for a new camera this is one camera that I recommend to all of my friends and family members!