Canon PowerShot S5 IS review

Full review at: www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Can... A nine minute video tour around Canon's super-zoom, the PowerShot S5 IS by Gordon Laing, Editor of www.cameralabs.com. For our full review and pricing, please click the link at the start of this text.

[@DerDrBach]

This camera accompanied me through art college and my first 2 jobs and now its broken and i'm updating to a camera capable on HD video. Thanks s5is, you were a great partner.

[@Igivegoodhair]

A very well informed presentation.I just bought a gently used one, and I'm anxious to learn all about my purchase.

[@cameralabs]

The S5 IS and G9 were announced in May and August 2007 respectively. The movie quality is roughly similar to the Cybershots, but the S5 IS has setereo and lets you zoom, while the G9 has a timelapse.

[@KRIEGKING]

Great job, always the best camera reviews.

[@cameralabs]

I agree! For now you'll just have to weigh up which features you want more... we have a detailed comparison on the verdict page of our S5 IS review at the Cameralabs site if you've not already seen it...

[@cameralabs]

You can do this colour effect on most Canon compacts - see our reviews at cameralabs . com for details.

[@MrMASSEYJONES]

It isn’t the latest but it’s the greatest. I’m a retired professional (military photographer) who, in the days, has either owned or operated camera from the Monod, to 5x7 side A, with emphasis on 4x5 (Speed Graphic) and later 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 size and eventually 35mm film, for more then a million shots and I have now gone digital; the S5IS was my second digital and I have taken several thousand still shots with it and about 50 videos, that are on KZbin. The camera always performs flawlessly and, although I own 3 Nikon cameras ( D700, D90 and D 3300) , my little Canon is the camera of choice that I tote around. I operate it with Conversion Lens Adapter LA-DC58E and lens hood LH-DC40 and it looks fairly professional. unfortunately in the process, I lost the front ring but it had become useless with the above 2 attachments. A very solid 10 for a great little camera; it’s a jewel!! And by te way, I enjoyed this video, it’s well done.

[@cameralabs]

Thanks, I love it when people comment on some of my older videos!

[@Haroon65]

Can you please link the videos and stills made with this

[@ElementForLife78]

I can get this for $30 Australian, should I get it for my teenage daughter who wants to start taking pics or go something a bit newer?

[@ziv1366]

The best reviews on the net! very very good guys!!!

[@cameralabs]

There's a full set of results on the image quality in our review at the Cameralabs site - you can get to it by clicking the link to the right of the video window.

[@cameralabs]

It's all there in the review at cameralabs!

[@cameralabs]

I'm not sure Mike - my S5 IS went back to Canon ages ago so I can't check - everything I know about its focusing can be found on the Features page of our review at cameralabs . com.

[@AJDRAGON01]

Hi, One thing that was not mentioned is that you can get a lens adapter for mounting bigger stonger lenses. Also worth mentioning is you can also get around 2 hours worth of video recording time out of a set of batteries. Although the videos will only be 30 min. long, thats all the longer the camera will record at any given time. There is also a hack for recording longer videos and recording raw footage, as well as adding a battery indicator and many other things..

[@alfredtmarombedza3670]

whats the hack bro

[@cameralabs]

You can see some sample imageas in the full review of this camera at the cameralabs website...

[@cameralabs]

It does have a lot in common with the G9... It's getting on now though, and the new models are our priority. We went back and did the S5 IS because it was the most popular older model we hadn't covered yet...

[@cameralabs]

There's full details on the design and features pages of our review at cameralabs . com

[@cameralabs]

Thanks! I use a Sony DCR-HC96 camcorder to film the reviews at the moment...

[@DjBobyVermaRemixer]

Hello sir mera video full screen Mai nahi aata h Mai Kya Karu please help me

[@dombower]

great work getting the video of the screen functions looks great. thanks great review

[@cameralabs]

You can see what the image quality is like by checking out the results and gallery pages in our full review at cameralabs . com.

[@catherinemelnyk1194]

I haven't done any photography in over 15 years. But I have a Canon Rebel XT film camera and two EF lenses that I believe can be used on a Rebel DSLR. Anyway, I am really only interested in getting a camera to take photos of my knit and crochet items that I plan to sell online. I have a Nikon point and shoot, but the clarity isn't good. I found a Canon PowerShot S 51S on a Kijiji site here (Canada) asking price $100 obo. I think I'll give it a try. It actually looks like a lot of fun!

[@cameralabs]

Yes it supports SDHC and you can find out more about the video in the sensor section of our review at cameralabs . com!

[@cameralabs]

Both great cameras, but different features - I'd recommend reading the full reviews at cameralabs . com for each camera and seeing which feature-set best suits you.

[@nerd9616]

Any idea why my lcd screen only turns on in stitch assist mode

[@ziv1366]

Got it today! Very good review!

[@cameralabs]

I compare them in the reviews at cameralabs . com - please visit the site, and also see the latest version of this camera, the SX20 IS.

[@ryanzzification]

So can that input be used for wireless mics ?

[@cameralabs]

They're all good cameras, but with different pros and cons - and sorry to add another to the mix, but you should also be looking at the Panasonic FZ18! I've reviewed them all at cameralabs . com, and weighed up their pros and cons on the verdict pages of each review, so check those out as it'll help you decide... also check out out super-zoom buyers guide. Any other Qs, feel free to post on the cameralabs forum!

[@cameralabs]

I can't speak for ALL cameras (!) but for the ones weve tested, the S5 IS was the only one with stereo sound. See our S5 IS verdict page on the Cameralabs site to compare the features against the best superzooms...

[@m3t4c0m]

Thanks !! i'm definitely getting that one in the next few days.

[@lastklim]

Great and professional review!

[@cameralabs]

Hi, check out the gallery and results pages (especially the noise page) for each review at cameralabs . com - you can compare the quality there... any other Qs, feel free to post on the cameralabs forums!

[@pcwhizmail]

Excellent Review. The was very thorough and entertaining. Keep up the good work. 5 Stars all the way!

[@Nazzet]

I like this review. Great details!

[@cameralabs]

Thanks! Don't forget to check out the full review which goes with it at the Cameralabs . com website!

[@Desmuzica]

thanks for the output Gordon.. I'll check it out..

[@lukeisastalker]

any way to record wide screen video with this? i can't figure it out

[@revadan]

i want one of this camera.can i put another set of lens on it? please let me know the available add on lenses for this baby.thanks

[@cameralabs]

This one, or the Panasonic TZ5 or the Panasonic FZ18 - see our reviews at cameralabs . com for more details...

[@uploadJ]

It may be time to upgrade; I've made a lot of use of My S3, but I see the advantages now of the S5 given your superb review. Thanks.

[@BloodGTRproductions]

Gordon Can you review the S3 IS?

[@cameralabs]

Hi, feel free to post your question in the Cameralabs forums - we can reply in more detail there...

[@cameralabs]

I haven't tested any Kodak cameras for ages, so can't say, sorry! But the models I'd recommend right now can be found in the Best Buys section at cameralabs . com...

[@AlfredsPlace]

I have one of these cameras, and the video does an excellent job of self adjusting but I have never found or tried to change the app while recording. I will say the video has incredible low light ability for a still camera. Hope you find a good cam, this one has been around a while and I can only imagine what is available now.

[@5Dale65]

I have a question, it it possible to change some settings WHILE recording a video, for example white balance, exposition ???

[@cameralabs]

See the Features page of our S5 IS review on the Cameralabs website...

[@iringbulingit9276]

how to show and delete our photos in s5is?

[@skyloegamez829]

What is the weight if this camera?

[@dohcbag]

is the video setting limited to 4:3 aspect ratio or may i change it to 16:9?

[@00Skyfox]

I wonder if you might have some insight into a problem I'm having with my S5IS. When I'm aiming at a bright scene like outdoors and press the shutter button halfway, the exposure drops at least 2 stops. That happens in every mode, including full auto. The exposure compensation is at 0/neutral, and I can't find any setting that will make it stop doing that. Sometimes that coincides with the aperture closing (even when it's fixed wide open in manual mode), and sometimes the aperture doesn't move but the exposure still drops that same amount. All I know is that it didn't used to do that, and I haven't messed with any settings that would have made it start automatically dropping the exposure. One source I read about this issue suggested the CCD may be going bad, but that doesn't explain why the exposure would look fine in real time without the shutter button being pressed.

[@cameralabs]

Do you have Auto ISO enabled, or some kind of exposure preview mode? It's been about 10 years since I even saw this camera, so I've not much idea, sorry. Try calling Canon.

[@00Skyfox]

Thanks for replying. It happens whether in auto or manual ISO. It always displays an exposure preview unless in a very dark scene when it has to boost the exposure for viewing and focusing purposes. The more I mess with it, the more the half-shutter exposure jumps all over the place, sometimes about right and sometimes really dark for the same scene and lighting situation. It's ok indoors, but outdoors it does this a lot.

[@cameralabs]

Thanks! Don't forget to check out the full review at cameralabs . com!

[@mindbind]

thank you for your great reviews....the clerk at best buy told me that you can only use disposable batteries with this camera....but you said you had rechargables in here....which is correct? thank you

[@DeanoTheLegend87]

I've just bought one of these and there great. Just one problem though, after recording some video footage and playing it back on my computer theres this faint grinding like noise, i believe its the camera focusing and re-focusing, is there anyway to stop that noise?

[@chadsexinton]

Howcome your zoom tests are always the same with the same boat? pretty neat.

[@Desmuzica]

I'm planning to buy a super zoom camera and I get the chance to compare products because of your reviews... Thanks for the helpful informations ... ;) I have a question though, are there other super zoom cameras that can record stereo sounds in movies besides Canon Powershot S5IS?

[@davidfrias7197]

Hola, me recomiendas comprar está camara en pleno 2023 por lo menos para mí uso personal en una que otra reunión familiar.? Hay una en venta en unos 100 dolares

[@kurrix]

Very nice review, ty!

[@ASAFYY]

hello cameralabs i am looking to buy a camera with a good video around the price of S5 . what do you suggest for me? i am thinking about S5 and TZ5 , if you have other suggestion for me i will be glad to know. have nice day :)

[@RisBo21]

Great review.With what camera do you record the reviews?

[@m3t4c0m]

Hi, i want to thank you for this review i was hesitating between this one and the panasonic TZ5 (its pros were its size, the wide angle and the HD video capture) but i finally picked the canon, after watching your review; It seems great ! i hope i won't be disapointed can you please confirm that it supports sdhc cards and if you have an idea on the length/size of a video at high quality; how much can a video last on a 2Gb SD card for example ? thank you very much

[@pasraisyready6235]

Have auto focus or not ?

[@weedfoxs]

ok i want the ultimate zoom in camera under 300 dollars!!! and the best for videos what should i go after?pleaseeeeee reply?

[@rikabob]

Hello, in the menu you can find "intervallo-meter". That's how you use timelapse on the S series. Minimum shot to shot time is one minute, maximum 60.Further, if you go to the CDHK-Wiki site you can download extra software and you'll be able to shoot in a raw and a lot more options, among which how to get more control over the shot to shot period. If you search CDHK on youtube, thers's a guy showing you how to download CDHK on your SD-card.

[@leonyamy]

Hello Gordon I´m very please with your reviews very helpfull. I have this camera, should I buy Canon tele converter or the Raynox are better? Thank you and regards

[@johnnybabe007]

in your opinion, which is better, the G9 or S5is?

[@Keese30]

I'm getting this camera sometime soon to replace an older digital camera I have. Does this camera take good pictures when you're traveling in a car if you're looking at a distance or will it blur? Also what about the quality? I know its 8 megapix but do the pictures turn out good? Thanks for the video, the video quality of this camera looks great.

[@cameralabs]

Well if you want the bigger zoom, go for the FZ18, but if you want better video quality, go for the Canon. Feel free to discuss it further in the buying a new camera section of the cameralabs forums!

[@gunzpog5425]

sir i still have this camera but only ave a 12v power adapter. does the camera have any security feature so i can use the adapter

[@cameralabs]

You'll need to find out the dc voltage this camera requires. You could find out the model of the charger and find the voltage from its specs or pictures of it. I doubt it is 12v. Normally lower.

[@BloodGTRproductions]

if the memory is full it is qyuite troublesome that's why i bought an s3(2nd hand)this year but i wish i had better zoom lik 15x zoom on s6?? lol possible?

[@cameralabs]

Hi, we have answers to many of your questions in the Cameralabs forums - and also some great tips on using your camera's creative modes at dslrtips . com

[@DjBobyVermaRemixer]

Hot to full screen mode video Cannon s5 IS camera

[@cameralabs]

Hi, I probably won't be reviewing the Samsung S85 - sorry! You can see all the reviews I've done by clicking the Reviews menu on the Cameralabs website...

[@BobsWTandAviation]

How do you do shutter on this camera and when I do shutter, all the photos turn out pitch black

[@cameralabs]

Use TV mode to adjust the shutter, but if there's not enough light you will need to increase the iso sensitivity. When that is at maximum though, that's as fast as you can go

[@AthenaSaints]

Great video

[@Cognoscibilitate]

I would like to buy a second hand S5... and it has around 9000 shots. Is that a lot? What is the shutter life expectancy. Thank you.

[@wenepzoli]

Thank you so much for sharing! Super informative camera test and demonstration video creation congratulations too! Good day! 👍🍀🇭🇺🌞☝️

[@adankarrito]

what's the fastest shutter speed on this camera?

[@bantylkg]

NEED TO USE THIS ONE FOR ZOOM MEETINGS . HOW DO I CONNECT . CANON EOS UTILITY .. NOT DETECTING CAMERA

[@cameralabs]

Not sure the utility works with this model. Check Canon website.

[@cherrybomb1493]

You can't adjust the aperture while taking video can you? I'd really appreciate a response if you know this... I'm getting pretty close to buying a superzoom camera. Thanks!

[@objectiveguru]

Hi! I just got this camera from amazon last month. There are some who bought the same model but made in China. Mine was made in Japan. Is there a big difference between the two? Are Japan made cameras costs much higher than China? One buyer told me there is and some consumers don't even put much emphasis on it. Wish you would reply. Nice review though... I always visit your site. Thanks....

[@cameralabs]

I couldn't say without testing both models side by side, but I suspect they would be essentially identical.

[@cameralabs]

Yep, the card worked fine!

[@Grafficky]

please i need help can you help me i can't transfer my images of camera to pc i put the cable in the camera and in the pc and nothing happend on desktop i don't what to do can any body help me please again

[@chohakako]

So it doesn't have RAW format, is that why my camera sometimes I look at it, there's loads of noise? Oh, well. I'll use whatever I have till I get a better one. Thanks for the review =)

[@KinnyKinT]

So it has a EVF and you can see through it, right?

[@yemail5555]

Good review, officemax has it on sale right. I am going to grab one tomorrow. hey hey.

[@mindbind]

ohhh, thank you, this is the camera i want but the fact that i was told you can only use disposables on this was keeping me from buying it.....have you tried NiMH? I am a photography newbie, lolol. thanks, jay

[@raftmant]

how can i get time lapse?? can anyone help?i`ve tried anything

[@cameralabs]

I hope so, but remember the S5 IS was launched in May 2007, and Canon has since released new cameras in August 2007 and January 2008 - none of which have the same emphasis.

[@cameralabs]

It doesn't have a built-in time-lapse mode like some Canon cameras. So you'd need to take seperate photos, say every minute, then assemble them into a movie using software on your computer. Try googling for timelapse software.

[@lukeisastalker]

any kind of AA rechargeable batteries should work on this. i just got mine from radioshack, i dunno

[@Nooloop]

How do you delete?

[@Megzamani]

Gordon I got a used one today for fifty dollars. A real value. I am looking forward to doing the movie setting thing and giving it a try. I alcohol wipe and detailed it. Set back to default and got a card in it. Ready for a test in an hour. Thanks.

[@fegtoken]

Megzamani you shouldn't have bought this at all.. 2008 is a long time ago in tech years.

[@TheOwl6]

+Dave Patterson Is actually not that bad , I am a beginner , I bought one today for less than 40 £ and I have to say pictures are coming out pretty well ... definitely not the best camera but if You are a beginner like me, and want to get started without committing spending too much , I say is good...

[@fegtoken]

Agree'd.. for a beginner it's okay.

[@raftmant]

I got it today, very good camera!!

[@davidfrias7197]

Hello, do you recommend buying this camera in the middle of 2023, at least for my personal use at one or another family gathering. There is one for sale for about 100 dollars.

[@cameralabs]

I think that's a bit high. I'd be looking to pay about half that. Canon made a lot of superzooms and bridge cameras so you should be able to pick one up cheaper.

[@cameralabs]

Hi everyone - I've just reviewed the successor to this camera, the PowerShot SX10 IS at cameralabs . com - now with a 20x zoom!

[@cameralabs]

Believe me, the lens cap jamming the lens will NEVER happen! It falls off the instant it's knocked. PS - check the verdict page of our S5 IS review at the Cameralabs . com site to compare it against the G9.

[@cameralabs]

Hi, I'm afraid I haven't tested either of the extended lenses, so can't say - sorry!

[@cameralabs]

True, but it could have been designed differently - for example, attaching to the extending barrel, not the outer section.

[@JESSiE1x0]

@PurplePop101 yes absolutly, it was like 350$ 2 years ago

[@shhrl123]

what about the nikon p80