Finally we have the update everyone had expected at PMA, the new PowerShot S5 IS digital camera. The S5 IS features an eight megapixel 1/2.5" (5.8 x 4.3 mm) CCD sensor and a twelve times Image Stabilized zoom lens. Unfortunately this lens, while offering long reach with its maximum 432 mm equiv. FOV doesn't improve at the wide end with the same 36 mm equiv. FOV as the S3 IS. Improvements include Face Detection (for AF, AE and Flash in shooting mode and red-eye removal in playback), a 2.5" LCD monitor (up on the S3 IS) and a flash hot-shoe. Still no RAW support though.
Features at a glance:
* 12x optical zoom lens with Ultrasonic Motor (USM) and UD lens
* Optical Image Stabilizer
* 8.0 Megapixel CCD
* DIGIC III with advanced Noise Reduction technology and Face Detection for stills and movies
* Red-Eye Correction in playback
* 2.5” high-resolution vari-angle LCD
* Long-play VGA movies with stereo sound and Photo in Movie
* 22 shooting modes including full manual control and 0cm Super Macro
* High ISO 1600 and Auto ISO Shift
* Compatible with Wide/Tele/Close-up converter lenses and Canon EX Speedlite flashes
Precision Optics
Benefiting from Canon’s 70 year heritage in optics, the 12x optical zoom lens (f/2.7 – f/3.5, 36-432mm) incorporates the same leading technologies used in professional EF lenses:
* Optical Image Stabilizer (IS) technology suppresses blur when taking stills and minimises image shake when shooting video footage. Canon’s lens-shift type IS allows photographers to shoot at shutter speeds up to 3 stops slower with no perceptible increase in image blur.
* An Ultra-Sonic Motor (USM) delivers rapid, responsive zooming with virtually silent operation, reducing the risk of sound interference on movies and or when shooting wildlife subjects.
* An Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) lens element curbs chromatic aberrations at longer focal lengths to ensure faithful colour reproduction and sharp definition.
Optional Wide and Tele converter lenses extend the focal length from wide 27mm to super-tele 648mm (35mm film equivalent). A Super Macro mode with 0cm shooting distance and optional Close-Up lens 500D (58mm) allow for detailed macro photography. Safety Zoom allows users to extend the camera's zoom range without interpolation affecting image quality - images can be captured at up to 24x zoom with enough resolution for lab-quality postcard (10 x 15cm) prints. Photographers can also enable the Digital Tele-Converter3 feature for added telephoto reach (1.6x or 2.0x) on every shot, without the reduction in aperture typically caused by optical tele-converters.
New technologies for better photos
Canon’s DIGIC III processor introduces several new features engineered to return better photos, more easily. Face Detection AF/AE/FE automatically detects up to nine faces within a scene and optimises focus, exposure and flash output accordingly. The system performs accurately with large groups and when subjects are distant or move within the frame. Unique to the PowerShot S5 IS, Face Detection AF/AE can also be activated when recording movies, with focus and exposure continuously adjusted for moving subjects. Because the technology is hardware-based, it operates at the same rapid speed as Canon's standard AiAF.
As well as flash-based Red-Eye Reduction during shooting, the PowerShot S5 IS includes Red-Eye Correction for captured images, reducing the need for post-shoot processing on a computer. When enabled in playback mode, Red-Eye Correction uses Face Detection Technology to analyse the selected image and remove any red-eye it detects. Users can also remove red-eye manually.
Photographic versatility
Responding to user feedback, the vari-angle LCD has been increased from 2.0” to 2.5” while screen resolution is sharper at 207k pixels. The LCD can be twisted in any direction to allow shooting from awkward positions – such as waist height or with the camera held above the head.
Improved low light shooting at high ISO settings (up to ISO 1600) is assured through the combination of optical Image Stabilizer and DIGIC III’s advanced Noise Reduction Technology. A new Auto ISO Shift function prevents blur by giving users the option to boost the ISO setting – and consequently shutter speed – with a single button press whenever the camera predicts camera shake.
When flash photography is desired, the new hot shoe gives users the option of using an external EX Speedlite flash or slave flash setup to achieve naturalistic or dramatic lighting effects.
Extensive movie functions
In addition to Face Detection in movies, the PowerShot S5 IS retains a dedicated movie button so that users can instantly record without having to switch from stills shooting mode – ideal for catching those once-off moments. A new Long Play mode significantly extends recording time for VGA quality movies while maintaining a smooth 30fps frame rate. Stereo sound recording for audio files and movies is now adjustable to 64 levels, and includes a wind noise filter for clear, crisp sound quality. The convenient Photo In Movie feature enables the capture of full resolution stills during movie recording.
Creative shooting
An expanded selection of 22 shooting modes ranges from automatic to full Manual mode and includes Aperture Priority, Shutter Speed Priority and a user-defined Custom mode. The My Category function simplifies image management by automatically tagging images with categories – such as People, Scenery and Events – based on face detection and the shooting mode selected.
The PowerShot S5 IS benefits from a number of features that will be of particular use to advanced photographers. New Continuous Shooting AF keeps a moving subject in focus whilst shooting at 1.5fps. Safety FE automatically reduces the aperture to avoid blown highlights when using the flash close to subjects, while Safety MF helps during manual focusing by performing fine adjustments to focus. The camera also retains AEB (auto exposure bracketing) focus bracketing, and a real-time live histogram display to allow for accurate judging of exposure.
Combining ease of use with advanced functionality, the PowerShot S5 IS offers new and experienced photographers alike a powerful, versatile photographic experience.
