Reviews Written by MarkD
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October 14, 2008
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May 12, 2008
One Incredible Point And Shoot
10 of 10 Yahoo! Users found this review helpfulPros: Fantastic Optics, Feature Packed, Easy to Use, Adjustable LCD, Uses Standard AA Batteries, Uses Standard SD Memory Cards
Cons: Manual Focus could use a slight improvement
I have to admit, this little point and shoot from Canon is one awesome workhorse. While it's not a DSLR (and I'm not comparing it to one here), it carries some nice DSLR features and executes them very well.
I have pushed this little camera to it's optical limits. I shoot everything from landscapes, portraits, macros, action, night, and underwater (in an IKELITE housing) with my S5 IS. I get some really fantastic results.
It's a perfect camera for a novice photographer as well as someone with years of experience. I love the AEB (Automatic Exposure Bracketing) mode Canon included. It's perfect for HDR work and functions in Aperture and Exposure priority, as well as Macro or Super Macro modes. Very flexible.
In manual mode, the shutter speed and aperture settings are so easy to select you don't even need to move your eyes off of your subject. Whether you are viewing through the viewfinder or the LCD. What's really cool is you actually see the resulting exposure displayed before you even fire the shutter, in case you need to make an adjustment. I love this feature. Especially when I'm shooting in macro mode. I can view my DOF results prior to making my shot.
Another feature that I find very useful is the Custom mode. I can go in and configure the S5 IS to shoot the way I like to shoot for any given shooting condition. I can even program in my own custom color settings and save them. This allows me to switch with one or two button presses. Very quick and easy to operate.
The menuing system on the S5 IS is so easy. It's by, and far, the easiest I've ever used. Which is pretty remarkable when you consider all of the incredible features and custom configurations available. My other point and shoot, Fuji Finepix S5200, is quite a challenge to navigate. The S5 IS has nearly every setting accessible with one or two button clicks. No need to drill down three or four levels to switch something on or off. Most of the time I'm switching something on the camera I can do it so easily that I don't have to stop photographing. I can stay focused on my subject. I swear... it's that easy and intuitive.
The effective patterning area is 8.3Mega Pixels. Not too shabby either. This is great for enlargements. I've printed poster size prints via SnapFish with incredible results.
The optics are, of course, excellent. Canon did not skimp on the quality here either. Most of the time I pull a shot from this camera into my post production tools and I find no reason to enhance or modify the colours or exposure. It's almost unbelievable!
Bottom line.... if you're considering a point and shoot with some muscle, buy the Canon S5 IS. It's perfect in the hands of a beginner with room to grow into. It's perfect in the hands of a professional for most general work. It's so easy to use. It has incredible DOF performance for macros or supermacros. If you need more convincing, do a search on flickr for photos shot with this camera. I think you will be amazed. This camera is worth every penny you spend on it. ...
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Great all around camera
8 of 8 Yahoo! Users found this review helpfulPros: Easy to use. Feature packed. Easy to update firmware. Connectivity options. Great value.
Cons: The USB port cover on the left side is a bit flimsy
Canon really did a superb job on this model. The XSi is so easy to configure and navigate. Even the more complex, custom configuration tools are easy to get at quickly. Everything on the exterior of the camera is well laid out. One word can easily sum up the overall design, "Intuitive". Not just the physical attributes, but the Camera’s software design as well. This is such a welcome addition and perfect combination in the ever evolving technology of digital photography.
The computer software that is included with the XSi is by and far one of the best software suites I’ve seen regarding DSLR kits. They even include a separate tutorial CD that teaches you how to use the included software. A really nice touch. I used to use Adobe Lightroom for my RAW file post processing. Not any more. The bundled software is so much better and allows far more control over post processing adjustments that are specific to the XSi. Thank you Canon!
The other cool thing about the XSi is the ability to update the onboard firmware. It’s as simple as downloading the latest revision from Canon’s customer support site, plugging in the USB cable, and double clicking Canon’s update file. This whole process only takes a few minutes, and your off and shooting with the most current version of firmware in your camera.
If you’re not interested in the myriad of technical tweaks and options availble, no problem! The auto functions make this camera a breeze to use, right out of the box. With better than average results, thanks to the incorporation of Canon’s Digic III microprocessor. Until the introduction of the XSi, the Digic III was reserved for Canon’s higher end professional line of DSLR’s.
Battery life is amazing. I’ve gone on full day shoots and filled 12GB of memory with RAW files on one charge. With plenty of power left over.
The 3” LCD screen on the back of the XSi is a real pleasure. Everything is easy to view and soft on the eyes. Reviewing image captures is a luxury on a screen this size when you’re out and about. Another cool little feature regarding the 3” LCD display is the proximity sensor. When you put your eye up to the viewfinder, the LCD shuts off automatically, preventing light from distorting your view while shooting. When you move away from the view finder the LCD comes back on instantly. This is another expample of the “little” things Canon has put generous thought into when it comes to the XSi’s design. It really is a fun camera to use.
If you’re looking for a DSLR to meet a wide variety of shooting demands, the XSi is a perfect choice. It’s so simple to use, yet you can configure it to shoot incredibly complicated shots.
I can honestly say that I would recommend the XSi to anyone. Novice and pros alike. ...