Not very Happy with the S5is

[KJCSPhoto]

Hi all
I posted this http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=500863, this morning over in the Talk About Photography forum, but I did not get any good info, so I though I would bring it over here to get your input from the ones who use smaller cameras.
Any thoughts would be much apreciated.
Thanks, Kevin

Edit
This afternoon I came to some realizations about this camera –see below-, so I am no longer itching to send it back, but thankfully I have a couple of weeks to decide if it is worth keeping it and seeing if it will work for my needs.

[audiobomber]

The photo looks over-processed to me Kevin. Too saturated, too sharp, too contrasty. I don't see a problem with the S5 settings, but I don't care for that photo at all.

Have you tried the in-camera jpegs?

[rachelsne]

I had the S3 and a friend has the s5,
I used the S3 as a stepping stone to get to my DSLR.
I think the S5 has some great capabilities, however if the light is poor and you use high ISO, the results are disappointing.

Personally I like the s3, although I no longer have it, my friend with the s5 took hers (used it on p mode) and got some lovely vibrant pictures at a local nature park they were sharp, in focus and had lovely colours, the pictures that she took through trees were not as colourful as the ones she took with a bit more sunlight. in different clearings.

I want to show you a couple of my favorite pictures that I took while I was learning how to use the S3, sorry about the huge signature.

I know these photos are not as good as what can be achived, because I have seen some absoluty amazing photos on an s5 forum I used to visit.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2184/2192076517_e3c58c1ef5.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1295/1361210198_4596ebce55.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1185/1409734293_86ca1ac0c2.jpg

If I had the money I would consider buying the G9 as my second camera to go with my 30d as I have heard many good things about it.

I did find that when ever I was outside shooting a circular polarisor made a ton of difference, have you tried it yet?

[KJCSPhoto]

Thanks audiobomber & Rachel

Yes audiobomber that photo sucks unfortunately I do not have the JPEG to show you, but I re-worked the raw file and it looks a lot better

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2148/2482070412_85737bed04.jpg

Rachel I like the last shot a lot -the night one- I don’t think my XTI can even do it that well

Well after work today I went out with the camera and shot a bunch of photos had some real disappointments, but I also had some decent ones as well. There is not much PP that was to be done other than some noise reduction and the like, though I can defiantly see the difference in the Raw images opposed to the out of the Camera JPEG’s.

Here are a couple from today, tomorrow is supposed to be nice, and I am hoping to get out and work some more with this camera.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2416/2482070540_bc7881b7a9.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2219/2482070514_709ec196cf.jpg

http://http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3030/2481258883_57778e81d5.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2137/2481258857_79bfc1eeaf.jpg

At this point I have accepted that the S5 will not perform any where near what my XTI will, but after all I got S5 for kayaking, hiking trips, and just a general camera and I can live with soft pictures, And I just have to make sure that I have good light or my tripod handy, and keep the ISO low. For the more important work / Trips I will just use the DSLR.

Have a good day,
Kevin

[Reeforbust]

I just bought an S5 stepping down from a 20D and I agree... The IQ isn't there compared to the DSLR BUT, you can't really compare them I suppose...

It's a nice little camera and easy to take anywhere, nice zoom range, shoots great video and takes pics in widescreen which is cool. All in all I thinks its a good deal for the price but you get what you pay for..

[ALT1MATE]

I had a S5 for exactly 2 months before I got tired of its poor light capability and went with a 400D.
The S5 should only be used as an outdoor super-zoom camera with lots of light. Anything over ISO 100 looks bad. If you want to use it indoor a 430EX is an absolute must.
I miss mine from time to time when I find myself needing a telephoto lens...

[RubenAlonzo]

heres one i made with my S2 IS and its in the bedroom with no fill flash, and others with same camera, any thoughts please?

http://www.photozo.com/album/data/8652/daslamp222.jpg

http://www.photozo.com/album/data/500/IMG_01573.JPG

http://www.photozo.com/album/data/500/IMG_3167_640x480_.jpg

http://www.photozo.com/album/data/8652/IMG_33142233.jpg

http://www.photozo.com/album/data/8652/BigLiz4.jpg

[Glasstream15]

I see way too many people come on these forums complaining about the S5IS. They buy a compact camera, advanced to be sure, but still a compact, and expect results like a 40D or 1D.

Folks, you are buying, and paying the price for, a compact. The S5IS, and I have one and love it, is a fantastic camera if used within it's limits. I doubt seriously that you will find a compact with the same capabilities anywhere.

But it is a compact, it does, as do all cameras, have limits. And low light, as with all compacts, is one of the limits. And, BTW, there is a new Fuji, not sure of the model number, that costs twice what the S5 costs that will have better low light but still not anywhere like what you will get with the Canon Digital Rebel Series or XXD or XD in that order and order of higher price to choke on it price.

The Canon G9 will also give a bit better low light performance, but only provides half the zoom range. I have used my S5 in low light conditions. And either live with the noise or use the 430EX. But I prefer my Canon EOS Rebel XT. Yes, I have an XT and while I love it and its capabilities, the S5 gets carried more. Even using the XT with the Tamron 18-200 lens, I don't have the zoom capability of the S5 which means I also have to carry my 75-300 to get the long end reach. So start with a camera that is already twice as large and then add carrying another lens and swapping lenses. If I'm just going somewhere and think I might want to have a camera with me, guess which one goes.

Understand the limits of a compact camera. Then forget all about that "Green Box" and learn to use ALL the abilities of it. You WILL be surprised at what it can do. But learn where its limits are and understand that when you push those limits IQ will suffer. How much?? Will you get usable images??? Those are questions only you can answer. Do you want an under $400 camera or do you want to start down the DSLR road which is going to swing way over $1,000 very quickly when you add lenses to match the zoom range of the S5.

It's all up to you.

JMNSHO &, of course, YMMV

[SimpleGirl2008]

I have the S5 IS. I absolutly love it!! Coming from a DSLR..of course the image quality is going to look like crap compared to the XTi. Or any other DSLR.

[Reeforbust]

I gotta say that the pictures that have come out of my S5 are a lot more noisier than my old G5 pics.....Not sure how the G9 does but I was thinking that the G9 and S5 had the same processor?
For sure you gotta know what your camera can do to get the best pics out of it.. Here's a few of mine that turned out ok..

These were taken with my old Canon G5....
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d89/reeforbust/MISC/Sammy.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d89/reeforbust/MISC/Clown.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d89/reeforbust/MISC/flowerdeep.jpg



This one I took with a junk Sony Cybershot....it was shady and about 5 in the evening. This one turned out to be one of they're favorites of the event even thought its not totally sharp!?

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d89/reeforbust/MISC/joeswedding.jpg

[RubenAlonzo]

Reeforbust, which filter or plugin did you use to make the last shot? i love the framing, i have photoshop cs3 and lightroom and paintshop pro x2.

[Reeforbust]

Reeforbust, which filter or plugin did you use to make the last shot? i love the framing, i have photoshop cs3 and lightroom and paintshop pro x2.

Don't remember BUT, it was from a simple program because back then all I had was programs that came with the cameras?!?! No filters or plugins like CS3... But plugins sure make stuff easy! :)

[Glasstream15]

I believe the S5 and G9 share the Digic III processor. But the sensors are completely different. The G9 has a larger sensor than the S5 and, therefore, is more capable in low light. The G series always has had the largest sensor that Canon uses in a compact. That does make a difference in IQ, especially in low light conditions. Again, learning the capability and limits of you gear lets you get the most from it.

[Reeforbust]

I believe the S5 and G9 share the Digic III processor. But the sensors are completely different. The G9 has a larger sensor than the S5 and, therefore, is more capable in low light. The G series always has had the largest sensor that Canon uses in a compact. That does make a difference in IQ, especially in low light conditions. Again, learning the capability and limits of you gear lets you get the most from it.

For sure? If thats true then I am sending this S5 back and getting the G9....

I called canon this morning and they didn't tell me that..

[Jon]

The sensor is larger, true, but not all that much larger when you consider it's also got 50% more pixels crammed on it. 1 MP on the G9 takes up about 3.6 mm^2; on the S5 1 MP takes up 3.1 mm^2. If you go to the Canon USA PowerShot pages (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid=113), under the specs page for each camera they list the sensor size. Then go here (http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Glossary/Camera_System/sensor_sizes_01.htm) to decode them. So I wouldn't count on a move to the G9 giving you noticeably less noisy images.

[Reeforbust]

The sensor is larger, true, but not all that much larger when you consider it's also got 50% more pixels crammed on it. 1 MP on the G9 takes up about 3.6 mm^2; on the S5 1 MP takes up 3.1 mm^2. If you go to the Canon USA PowerShot pages (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid=113), under the specs page for each camera they list the sensor size. Then go here (http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Glossary/Camera_System/sensor_sizes_01.htm) to decode them. So I wouldn't count on a move to the G9 giving you noticeably less noisy images.


Grrrrr....... :)

[Bob D.]

Reeforbust, which filter or plugin did you use to make the last shot? i love the framing, i have photoshop cs3 and lightroom and paintshop pro x2.

Might be VirtualPainter

www.virtualpainter5.com (http://www.virtualpainter5.com)

[Reeforbust]

Might be VirtualPainter

www.virtualpainter5.com (http://www.virtualpainter5.com)

Naaa... It was just a frame that I added from a simple program..... I'll look and see if I still have it.

[bayoubooger]

well done on all, scarey where we been and where we going with these new cameras? I'm still figuring out the S5, I have seen better than I can do with S5, but I could do more right out of the camera with my S1, I know it's a learning curve, so I hang in there...Enjoyed these posts, thanks...


I gotta say that the pictures that have come out of my S5 are a lot more noisier than my old G5 pics.....Not sure how the G9 does but I was thinking that the G9 and S5 had the same processor?
For sure you gotta know what your camera can do to get the best pics out of it.. Here's a few of mine that turned out ok..

These were taken with my old Canon G5....
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d89/reeforbust/MISC/Sammy.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d89/reeforbust/MISC/Clown.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d89/reeforbust/MISC/flowerdeep.jpg



This one I took with a junk Sony Cybershot....it was shady and about 5 in the evening. This one turned out to be one of they're favorites of the event even thought its not totally sharp!?

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d89/reeforbust/MISC/joeswedding.jpg

[wolfgang_fener]

Now that I got a 430EX flash for my S5, I can say it is an absolute must.

First it lets you use a wide converter without getting barrel shadows and it let you take fast pictures at low ISO.

Even outdoor it is very usefull to remove some shadows (I usually set it at -1 stop or less for that purpose to avoid any overexposure and still get a natural looking picture).

I bought the S5 because I needed the convenience of acceptable video mode. Good choice because it gave me the chance to capture the first paces of my daughter (I was lucky, I really didn't expect that to happen at this time).

The S5 is great for a compact all in one camera, as long as you add a good flash to it. A diffuser is also a good idea.

Will I also get a true dSLR as soon as I can afford one ? Sure and it will probably be a canon (One of the reason is I want to be able to use the 430ex on it with full functionality).

[Reeforbust]

Well, I sat down and did a "comparison" between my G5 and my new S5...... There is no comparison! The S5 took better pics every time and Holy cow my 3x optical zoom on the G5 is Super slow.
I used to think my G5 took super close-up pics but I put a sheet of paper on the window and stuck the S5 right on top of it in Super Macro and it took an awesome picture of the print on the paper and even the fibers of the paper!

This thing is not perfect but it is a Whole lot better than what I thought was pretty good(G5) so I guess I'll keep it.... :D

[mongovb]

Hello all,
I am quite the novice when it comes to photography. I just bought an S5IS and am not very happy with it. The pictures are very grainy. I realize I have a lot to learn about this camera, but my 6mp Fuji Finepix F800 takes better pictures than this things does with both on auto or any other setting for that matter. I love all the features of this camera and was originaly looking at geting a DSLR but thought I could get away with this one since photography is just a hobby of mine. Here is one I took yesterday just goofing off in the back yard. The ISO was set @ 800 and it was on aperature priorty mode and I thing the aperature setting was 3.2. I also adjusted the exsposure compensasion down based on the histogram displayed.

[KJCSPhoto]

Good morning all
Well this thread really has taken off, really I just wanted to share some of my frustrations, but it is interesting to see what others have had to say. I am now to the point where I am not going to return this camera mainly because I have invested too much time and money into it. Since the battery life sucks with this camera I went out and bought a charger and a couple of sets of batteries for it, I also bought a new little camera bag for it and the wide angle lens and adapter, and for the multiple sets of batteries, filters and other little stuff. Yes this camera does not take great pictures, but here are a few suggestions that I am able to pass along, do not shoot higher than 200iso, 400iso is alright for lower light, install the raw hack and process your pictures, and do not expect too much from the camera in general. Some of the things that I like about it are the fact that I am able to carry the equivalent of all the lenses that I have for my DSLR, in a little bag and it is the same weight as my DSLRs body. I like the fact that the S5 has IS (something that I wish my XTI had), and the fact that it takes good movies is a big plus –that is one of the bigger reasons why I went with the S5 over some of my other top contenders. After having a DSLR, the S5 seems like a paperweight, though if you don’t expect too much from it and you learn its tricks it is a fine little camera, and noise is artistic… right? Here are a few pictures that I have taken with my S5:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2093/2501313549_f3f98fdfdd.jpg
Dinner for one
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2028/2502141288_1021e82b8b.jpg
Take Off - Really poor quality from camera, but a neat picture
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/2502141176_e39cc81dbb.jpg
Come sit
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/2502141208_cdcfc9e87e.jpg
Waiting

Thanks for putting up with another long post with big pictures,
Have a Good day, and go take some pictures,
Kevin.

[Jon]

Hello all,
I am quite the novice when it comes to photography. I just bought an S5IS and am not very happy with it. The pictures are very grainy. I realize I have a lot to learn about this camera, but my 6mp Fuji Finepix F800 takes better pictures than this things does with both on auto or any other setting for that matter. I love all the features of this camera and was originaly looking at geting a DSLR but thought I could get away with this one since photography is just a hobby of mine. Here is one I took yesterday just goofing off in the back yard. The ISO was set @ 800 and it was on aperature priorty mode and I thing the aperature setting was 3.2. I also adjusted the exsposure compensasion down based on the histogram displayed.Unfortunately, small sensors and high ISO don't get along. You're seeing sensor noise, which is most obvious in broad, smooth areas of a photo. There are noise-reduction tools built into most photo editors, and there are also dedicated noise-reduction programs like Noise Ninja or Neat Image which will help with that.