So, whats everyone think of the S5IS?

[FalloutMan]

Ive come to the realization that I cant afford a 30D and laptop so I figured Id look into a PNS that was a little more advanced. The S5IS caught my attention and seems to have decent performance until you raise the ISO above 200. Is it worth $350 or would I be better spending my money elsewhere? Are there any other PnS out there in the "advanced" style in the 350 pricerange that does a better job?

[_aravena]

^Not really...and ISO higher than 200? What have you been testing. I used my S3 at 800 and shots came out fine. The S5 has done ISO 1600 in my store with pics just fine. We print them out for fun, I do it to sell the camera and show why Canon dominates, in that particular arena.

[FalloutMan]

Heres where they said not so good ISO: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons5is/page7.asp

They also mentioned it in the Cons in the conclusion:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons5is/page20.asp

The pics in the samples looked good so I may jump on the cam sometime in the next few weeks unless someone else has any suggestions.

[_aravena]

I thought you meant you tested it. Yeah, I don't go for that stuff if I know I can go test it myself.

[S-Man]

I currently have the S3 and don't like pictures over ISO 200. If i'm in a pinch i'll shoot ISO 400 but ISO 800 is almost useless, especially in low-light. If its a bright setting you can't see the noise as much, but the same applies to the S5. Some like to use ISO 400-800 regularly, but also use Noiseware to remove noise.
I love my S3 and plan on getting the S5 very soon to have the Hotshoe for a 430ex. These are great little cameras if you can't afford a DSLR and their Wallet-Flattening Lenses...
Speaking of lenses, pop on a $25 Lensmate adapter with a $100 (new, ebay) Raynox DCR-2020PRO 2.2x Telephoto converter Lens and you're shooting 936mm (35mm Equivilant). The only bad thing people don't like is the somewhat narrow lens at full-wide angle. But I just step back a couple of steps.
But if my S3 had a hotshoe I'd keep it forever. I keep my Lensmate adaptor on all the time and people who don't know cameras always say "Man, nice camera" because they think its a dSLR. Here's some pics of it the Lensmate and also with the Raynox 2020PRO.
http://lh4.google.com/S.Man2381/RvNYuQTrCbI/AAAAAAAAAeY/W3XDO1agmSI/s800/CIMG2060.JPG

http://lh4.google.com/S.Man2381/RvNZmQTrCeI/AAAAAAAAAew/Z60DMk7nKxA/s800/CIMG2065.JPG

[pcbguy]

I Love my S5. Granted it is only the second digital camera I have ever owned.

[FalloutMan]

That tells me a lot. What about your S5 do you love?

[paul79uf]

I love my S5. I sold the S3 just for the S5's flash hotshoe and I bought a 430Ex to go with it.

Together the S5 & 430ex feel like an inexpensive mini-dSLR with great video capabilities added as a bonus.

For me it's the best compromise of a dSLR and video camera in one unit.

[delhi]

why not get a used 20d? They can be had for cheap these days and its IQ is still as good as the latest x0d dSLRs.

[jack55]

Hello FalloutMan,

Well... I love my S5is so far.

I refuse to carry all the bulk you have to with an SLR, especailly with their bulky lenses. Unless your a Sports PRO or do a LOT of low light shooting and make a living doing those... there is NO need to pack around all that luggage!
I'm a pro as I do digital & webmaster work for a living and this camera works fine for me.
I did well enough with the Sony H1 that I had the past 2 years... and the minolta before that.
Bottom line is IF you know how to use the camera many features, you can match any DSLR photo.
You know... Your photos are only as good as the person behind the lense! The noise problem is only above 200 ISO due to the small sensor. All the non-slr cameras have this problem.
AND why spend $2,500 plus to get the same zoom range and necessary flash?

Here are some links of photos I've taken so far so you can judge for yourself:

Just got a Canon PowerShot S5 IS
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=406860

Zoom & Macro shots with new S5is
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=409553

80-1600 ISO Shots with S5is
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=414625

Aftermarket flashes
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=410765

I love my S5is
http://forums.steves-digicams.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=581683&forum_id=15

[FalloutMan]

Thats what makes me nervous. The ISO 400 quality is bad, but I do question how often I'll need to shoot above ISO400. Delhi, my original plan was to buy a used 30D and used lenses. The issue was that with one lens and a 30D is I was breaking 1200. With the 20D Id be about 700-800 with a lens. This camera seems to offer decent performance and long focal range on the cheap when comparing to a DSLR. The only thing holding me back from buying an S5IS is the fact that I need a new desktop and laptop, with the desktop running my just over 1k and same with the lappy. I wish I wasnt a poor college student! :( (anyone wanna donate a camera to me?)

[Naturalist]

Does the S5 run on AA batts? Don't you go through a lot of battery switching, whether rechargable or not?

Cameras using AA batteries has been my biggest "pet-peeve".

[Jon]

Does the S5 run on AA batts? Don't you go through a lot of battery switching, whether rechargable or not?

Cameras using AA batteries has been my biggest "pet-peeve".

It does. And IMO that's good. AA cells are readily available. Even if you use rechargeables, chargers are readily available. I was far afield last year when my BP511 charger died. I was instantly limited to batteries on hand and my AA-using A620 until I could find a replacement (5 days later).

[jack55]

Does the S5 run on AA batts? Don't you go through a lot of battery switching, whether rechargable or not?

Cameras using AA batteries has been my biggest "pet-peeve".
Yep... 4 AA batteries.
With rechargables, you can get between 300-500 shots depending on your camera settings and if you have the LCD on or off.
I like it as if your battery runs low, you can buy AA's anywere.

[delhi]

How about a used Pro1? It comes with an L-lens already! I've seen used ones going for about 300 bux. If you have not learned the basics of photgraphy, a dSLR may be a bit intimidating to begin with. There are tons of folks totting around dSLRs but leave it in the green box. IMHO it's a waste. And sticking to just one lens defeats the purpose of having an SLR camera.