Canon Powershot S5Is or A720Is

[Yogesh Sarkar]

I am planning to upgrade my camera and have finally narrowed it down to Canon Powershot S5is and A720is.

I know S5is has a better zoom, however since I am mainly into landscape, macro and automobile photography, I don't think I'll miss it that much.

What I am mainly looking for is good and clean photographs especially during lowlight, as neutral/natural color and contrast as possible, good deal of control on how a photograph is shot i.e. manual controls, camera which can handle somewhat extreme highlights and of course fast operation.

I know a DSLR is something I should be looking at, however I can’t afford it right now so have to settle for either S5is and A720is.

Edit: Now I am also considering SX100, it seems a nice middle option.

[msowsun]

What I am mainly looking for is good and clean photographs especially during lowlight, as neutral/natural color and contrast as possible, good deal of control on how a photograph is shot i.e. manual controls, camera which can handle somewhat extreme highlights and of course fast operation.

I know a DSLR is something I should be looking at, however I can’t afford it right now so have to settle for either S5is and A720is.



If you want good image quality, I would be looking at the A650IS.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_a720is%2Ccanon_a650is%2Ccanon_s5is&show=all

The 650is is basically a 720is with a better sensor and nicer LCD screen .

Just compare the sensor sizes......

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/msowsun/photo%20stuff/SensorSizes1d.jpg

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Thanks Mike for the recomendation, however isn't larger censor size offset by four extra magapixels which A650is has crammed in?

[msowsun]

I'm no expert, and I haven't compared the cameras, but I would think the larger sensor would have less noise at higher ISO and probably as good if not better image quality.

Some reviews tend to suggest this as well.
http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Canon-PowerShot-A650-IS-Digital-Camera-Review-16394/Specs--Ratings.htm

http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Canon-PowerShot-A720-IS-Digital-Camera-Review-15944/Specs--Ratings.htm

Also check out this thread.....
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=468845

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Thanks for the links Mike, going through them now.

[audiobomber]

I'm no expert, and I haven't compared the cameras, but I would think the larger sensor would have less noise at higher ISO and probably as good if not better image quality.

You can compare images from both the 650 and 720 here, as well as the S5.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM

As I see it, the 650 and 720 have equivalent image quality, including at high ISO, because technology and pixel densities are similar. The S5 uses the same sensor and processor as the 720 but sacrifices a little IQ due to its long lens.

Yogesh, IQ is probably not worth worrying about with any of these PowerShots, they're all good for compacts. Decide what features you want and buy based on that (zoom, LCD, viewfinder, portability, cost, flash etc). My advice to you is to look for a deal on a DSLR based on your wish list and style of photography. I found a Pentax K100D Super with kit lens for $350. No PowerShot will compete with a DSLR in DOF control, dynamic range or low-light shooting, Another thing to think about with landscape photography is the wide angle you get from a kit lens. Once you have it you think you can't get on without it.

I still love my little 720 and I take it when I don't want to bother with the camera bag. That's why a 720 is better for my needs than an S5, If I'm going to carry an S5, I might as well bring the Pentax.

[Katbird]

I have the s3 and the s5 is pretty much the same thing. I love my camera however I don't think much of my low light pictures. Luckily I don't shoot much indoors or low light and sometimes I get lucky and get some nice ones but mostly I delete them.

[msowsun]

Thanks Mike for the recomendation, however isn't larger censor size offset by four extra magapixels which A650is has crammed in?

I thought about this and then did some basic math.

A650is sensor is 43 square mm with 12mp
A720is sensor is 25 square mm with 8mp

The 720is would seem to have more megapixels "crammed in" because the sensor on the 650is is 70% larger while it only has about 50% more megapixels.

So the pixel density must be less on the A650is. In theory, this should mean better IQ and less noise .

[Yogesh Sarkar]

You can compare images from both the 650 and 720 here, as well as the S5.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM

As I see it, the 650 and 720 have equivalent image quality, including at high ISO, because technology and pixel densities are similar. The S5 uses the same sensor and processor as the 720 but sacrifices a little IQ due to its long lens.

Yogesh, IQ is probably not worth worrying about with any of these PowerShots, they're all good for compacts. Decide what features you want and buy based on that (zoom, LCD, viewfinder, portability, cost, flash etc). My advice to you is to look for a deal on a DSLR based on your wish list and style of photography. I found a Pentax K100D Super with kit lens for $350. No PowerShot will compete with a DSLR in DOF control, dynamic range or low-light shooting, Another thing to think about with landscape photography is the wide angle you get from a kit lens. Once you have it you think you can't get on without it.

I still love my little 720 and I take it when I don't want to bother with the camera bag. That's why a 720 is better for my needs than an S5, If I'm going to carry an S5, I might as well bring the Pentax.
I agree that a P&S camera wouldn’t be able to match the photo quality and sheer versatility of a DSLR, however I have searched on a lot of sites and apart from second hand ones (which I don’t want purchase), any DSLR with kit is coming out to be around US$450. Even Rebel XT body only kit is priced above US$400!

I thought about this and then did some basic math.

A650is sensor is 43 square mm with 12mp
A720is sensor is 25 square mm with 8mp

The 720is would seem to have more megapixels "crammed in" because the sensor on the 650is is 70% larger while it only has about 50% more megapixels.

So the pixel density must be less on the A650is. In theory, this should mean better IQ and less noise .
Thanks Mike, I am checking out different sample photographs from review sites to see if this actually seems to translate into real world advantage for A650is.

[Jon]

It's only about a 20% advantage in pixels/mm^2; you'd have to look long and hard to see a difference between them under normal conditions.

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Thanks guys, one thing that I found interesting while checking the price of S5 at B&H was that it also showed filters as one of the accessories, however it is not mentioned on Canon's site.

Does the S5 take photo filters like UV and CPL? What about other models?

If it does, then adding a CPL filter with S5 should ensure good landscape photography in hills (where I normally travel).

[Jon]

Yes it will, but only if you buy the lens adapter tube (sold separately). Of course, the A720 does as well (aren't I making your decision easier!).

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Just when the haze was clearing :D, well I am seriously leaning towards S5 in part due to vari angle LCD and ability to zoom while shooting video and also due to following negative points by dpreview:

A720is: Occasional tendency to ignore (and overexpose) bright regions

SX100is: Noise and noise reduction artefacts showing in fine texture even at low ISO

Even though they do say that even in S5 noise and noise reduction effects are visible at more than ISO100, I think for my upcoming trip to Ladakh, ISO100 or even 80 would work majority of the time.

Problem with A650is is, it is nearly as expensive as S5 and apart from few more megapixels (don't really need them) and slightly large sensor, it doesn't have any other advantage.

[scottgee1]

Um, I'm about to throw what in baseball is known as a knuckleball. :twisted:

Have you looked at the Fuji F10/20/30/31?

Other than complete manual control, these meet your low-light, fast, natural color and dynamic range requirements quite nicely. Their real strength is relatively low noise at relatively high ISOs. That and they're quite pocketable.

I've had my F30 for over a year and always have it with me. We're about to have a pic I made with it framed and hung by our front door. It's enlarged to 8x12. Most people look at it and say, "Wow!" Of course they have no idea (nor do they care) what camera I used.

The bad news is that they're no longer widely available, at least here in the U.S. Perhaps it is different in India? Sadly, the models that replaced them are not as good.

If this makes your eyes cross, just drop me a line and I'll delete the post. ;)

[audiobomber]

A720is: Occasional tendency to ignore (and overexpose) bright regions

SX100is: Noise and noise reduction artefacts showing in fine texture even at low ISO
The 720, SX100 and S5 share the same sensor and processor, so there will be no appreciable difference in noise or how they expose bright regions. It's just slightly different slants in the reviews.

The lenses are different in all three, so if you're looking at IQ comparisons look at barrel distortion, softness and chromatic aberration. The 720 pulls a little ahead on all of those because of its simpler lens. Although I still say you should decide based on features like zoom, flash, LCD, size and price, because that's where the most significant differences are.

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Need your guys openion, which photo looks cleaner?

a650is ISO80
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/canon_a650is/samples/img_0561.jpg

S5is ISO ISO80
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/canon_s5is/samples/img_0017.jpg

[Jon]

I don't see enough difference between the two to worry about it. If you're seriously concerned, print both of them out as 8x10s and see which one you like better. That's a better real-world test than analyzing the images on your computer either at full screen or at 100% enlargement.

[audiobomber]

Need your guys openion, which photo looks cleaner?

The problem with these photos is that they were taken at different times, on different days, and from different perspectives. ISO 80 on a bright day outside isn't much of a challenge for any camera. If you want to pixel peep, try the Image Comparometer I linked above. Their sample photos were done under lab conditions.

[watt100]

I like my S5 and (to my non-discriminating eyes) it does fine with low light levels

[pointerDixie214]

I don't know about noise on the SX100IS... my brother has one and that camera will capture some amazingly clear images.

I would say go for the A650 or the SX100IS... or find a used S3 IS. If you are shooting stills like autos in low light, use manual mode, keep the ISO around 200 on a tripod and make up for it with long shutter speeds. I got great low light images with my S3 and commonly used exposures up to the 15 seconds when need be. I would imagine you could do that with any of the above as well.