Nov 11, 2007 02:59 PM
8218 Views
(Updated Nov 11, 2007 03:14 PM)
Become a photographer- a phrase that I think well describes
this camera. It is certainly not for a photographer, and too much for of
equipment for the absolute beginner. However, any amateur photographer would do
well to take excellent pictures with this camera.
WHY A CANON POWERSHOT S5IS?
When I wanted to buy a digital camera for myself, I started searching the range
of Canon/Nikon/Kodak etc. All the point and shoot cameras would do well if all
you want to do is take to take pictures of various family events and outings.
However, if you interest in photography goes to the level of taking macro
shots, night shots and you would like to show-off these pictures to the outside
world, these cameras would prove a let-down.
This is where you start thinking about getting a
professional camera. A DSLR, however, would prove very expensive to get
(Cheapest ones will set you back by around 30k with the equipments), and after
buying the camera, you may want to ask the question- ‘I have bought the camera, now where do I click to get the pictures?’
This is where you seriously start thinking about the ‘ultrazooms’
or the semi-SLRcameras as they are often called. These cameras are placed as a
connecting link between the point and shoot cameras and the DSLRs of the world.
They offer the much needed convenience
of the point and shoots and also has all the manual settings that would be
useful for the photographer in you as well.
The range is dominated by Canon with the S3IS/ S5 IS, Sony with its H7 and also liked the Panasonic Lumix FZ8. However, Panasonic didn't have service to back it up, and Sony looked too plasticky and almost like a toy. Decided on the S5 IS after considering the improvements they brought in above the S3IS.
FEATURES
The best features I liked about this camera.
12X optical zoom and 48x with digital zoom.
8 MegaPixel.
IMAGE STABILISATION
Manual controls and various modes for those who wish to experiment.
Large and bright screen and view finder.
Works with ordinary batteries, although I have Sanyo rechargeable
ones.
Looks very much professional and can attach external flash
to it.
SOME PHOTOGRAPHS
Two pictures uploaded with this review include-
A picture of the camera
A picture taken by me(an amatuer)
I am new to the world of photography. And the S5 IS is the first camera that I have bought. So, my pictures can't be a judge of anything.
Pictures taken using this camera are often breathtaking.
THE NEGATIVES
The main negative
point is that the camera is not so easy to carry around. It wont fit in your
pocket, and you need a small carry case. Weight is not a big problem though.
Another negative
point I have noticed is the slight blurred nature when you do 100% crop. But,
since it takes pictures at 8MP with a resolution of 3254*2448, you may never
need that at all.
IMAGE STABILISATION
One piece of advice
for the absolute beginners, get a camera with image stabilization, it really
helps.
And with the 12x
zoom this camera is capable of, image stabilization
is a must, and I am pretty happy with the way it worked till now. Pictures at
high zoom have come out good, even in low light situations.
