DailyTech - Canon Announces Two New PowerShot Models

Submit News

Gadgets Canon Announces Two New PowerShot Models
Brandon Hill (Blog) - May 7, 2007 9:26 AM

E-mail

del.icio.us

34 comment(s) - last by Johnmcl7.. on May 8 at 3:04 PM

PowerShot S5 IS

PowerShot SD850 IS

Canon reveals the PowerShot S5 IS and PowerShot SD850 IS

Canon today announced two new digital cameras to its model lineup. The PowerShot S5 IS replaced the popular S3 IS while the PowerShot SD850 IS replaces the SD700 IS.

The PowerShot S5 IS improves upon its predecessor by including an 8MP image sensor (up from 6MP), a vari-angle 2.5" LCD screen (up from 2.0") and Canon's DIGIC III image processor. Other features include a 12x zoom (36mm to 432mm) with image stabilization and 22 shooting modes.

The tiny PowerShot SD850 IS measures just 3.56" x 2.22" x 1.04" and weighs a mere 5.82 ounces. Like the PowerShot S5 IS, the SD850 IS features an 8MP image sensor and DIGIC III. Also included is a 4x optical zoom (35mm to 140mm) with image stabilization, 2.5" LCD screen, Face Detection and 18 shooting modes.

The S5 IS will be priced at $499 USD when it launches in early July. The PowerShot SD850 IS will be available in mid-June for $399 USD.

Comments

Threshold

Username
Password
remember me

This article is over a month old, voting and posting comments is disabled

sweet

By retrospooty on 5/7/2007 9:52:56 AM , Rating: 2

The SD 850 is what I have been waiting for. 4x optical, image stabilization and iso 1600 with a 2.5" screen... really nice for such a tiny camera. Its just about the size of a deck of cards, slightly fatter.

RE: sweet

By Cobra Commander on 5/7/2007 10:02:19 AM , Rating: 2

Don't the ISO1600 modes completely blow on these digicams though? I haven't seen a test showing them doing well ever, but I'm no expert. The OIS also fails on ISO800/ISO1600 modes on cameras from what I've experienced. Does this model properly-support the 8MP resolution unlike the previous 8MP model - or is its sensor straining for the extra res?

Parent

RE: sweet

By retrospooty on 5/7/2007 10:14:45 AM , Rating: 2

I don't know, I hadn't heard any of that. IF your concerned about it, this probably isn't the camera for you. This is a compact camera, not a pro jobbie.

Parent

RE: sweet

By daemoth on 5/7/2007 10:21:44 AM , Rating: 2

I have a Fujifilm F30 compact camera and its noise in higher ISO pictures (800 and 1600) compares quite favorably to my Nikon D50 SLR. It has a larger sensor than a traditional compact digicam. But as far as I know, only the F30 and F31 compacts are like that.

Parent

RE: sweet

By spluurfg on 5/7/2007 10:52:35 AM , Rating: 2

Yeah, I've got the F31fd and it's one of the very few compacts that give something resembling SLR-like noise performance. Note that it's a 6 megapixel sensor that is 1/1.7"... the S3 and S5 sensors are 1/2.5" and cram in as many or more pixels.

Reviews stated that the S3 had satisfactory performance up to ISO400, so noise on a more crowded 8mp sensor might get a bit scary. The new image processor can only do so much... However the features on the S3/S5 are amazing... especially the lens which has a fast autofocus motor, very low aperture at the long end (f3.5), and image stabilization. Plus it has a flash hotshoe and there's a wide-angle conversion lens for 28mm, though it's about $150... if the S5 can deliver good noise performance like the S3, I might grab one. If it's too noisy, though, maybe I'll grab the S3.

Either way all of us DSLR users are really crying for a camera with good features and noise performance.. if only the F30/F31 had a cousin with a better lens and feature set and the same sensor (though not as big as the f6000/f9000... then I might as well take my SLR along)

Parent

RE: sweet

By daemoth on 5/7/2007 1:48:41 PM , Rating: 2

I hear you on all points. Something like the S5 with the F30 sensor would be a huge hit with the DSLR crowd. I've been recommending the S3 to friends who like my D50 w/ 18-200mm VR lens but don't want to break their bank account or lug something that heavy around.

Parent

RE: sweet

By spluurfg on 5/7/2007 7:44:33 PM , Rating: 2

Yeah... Probably can't have it both ways, since a 12x image stabilized f2.8-f3.8 zoom would probably be HUGE with a 1/1.8 sensor, but I'd be happy with a somewhat fast 5x or 6x zoom strapped onto the f30 sensor with a faster image processor with better burst speed.

Parent

RE: sweet

By encryptkeeper on 5/7/2007 5:37:00 PM , Rating: 2

ISO 800 definitely blows on the S3 IS, which is the camera I have. I love it don't get me wrong, but be prepared to play with the S5 (or S3) to tune the settings to get the best pictures possible. But the great thing is the S3 is for someone who WANTS to experiment with photography anyway. What are the appropriate settings for ISO 800 anyway?

Parent

RE: sweet

By Jackyl on 5/7/2007 10:26:15 AM , Rating: 2

Good luck using ISO 1600 or even ISO 400. These compact cameras get really grainy when trying to use those speeds. Low light and night shots are also out of the question, very grainy. I basically gave up on compacts and bought a Canon XTi DSLR. The money I spent was well worth it. Night shots are noise free, and the photos are worth looking at.

Parent

RE: sweet

By GoatMonkey on 5/7/2007 10:49:38 AM , Rating: 3

DSLRs are exactly the same as this. You can easily just slip it in your pocket and use it anytime you want...

Parent

RE: sweet

By Jackyl on 5/7/2007 11:05:33 AM , Rating: 2

What do you mean by "exactly the same as this"? Are you implying that the quality of higher ISO's and low light shots are the same? I have yet to find a compact that has low noise at ISO 400 and above.

Parent

RE: sweet

By A5 on 5/7/2007 11:29:37 AM , Rating: 2

He's being sarcastic and pointing out that the 2 cameras have essentially nothing in common.

Parent

RE: sweet

By GoatMonkey on 5/7/2007 11:30:52 AM , Rating: 3

Yeah, sorry, I should have thrown in a sarcasm tag there.

Parent

RE: sweet

By jconan on 5/7/2007 2:05:14 PM , Rating: 4

try the fujifilm f31d as others have mentioned. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilmf31fd/
The only thing that's stopping me from considering it is the lack of an optical viewfinder and image stabilization and compact size. Otherwise it's a given.

Parent

RE: sweet

By spluurfg on 5/7/2007 12:21:08 PM , Rating: 3

I think it's not unreasonable to expect decent results at ISO 400 from a good compact... we usually don't get it, but a number of cameras can do it, even on a 1/2.5" sensor -- This includes the S3, supposedly, which can produce standard prints at ISO400 acceptably.

I think that loads of DSLR users are still keen on getting compacts... you can't carry your kit everywhere... compacts are like tripods -- better to have one that's 'alright' than not to have one at all. Yup... SLR users are probably very keen on compacts, just endlessly picky.

I just wish camera makers would stop the whole megapixel war thing. I think 6mp is fine... I mean, 6mp can already print at 8.5x11, do we really need 10mp on a compact? I'd rather have 6mp and usable ISO400 and faster burst speed than 10mp and noisy ISO200.

Parent

RE: sweet

By encryptkeeper on 5/7/2007 5:41:25 PM , Rating: 2

I just wish camera makers would stop the whole megapixel war thing. I think 6mp is fine... I mean, 6mp can already print at 8.5x11, do we really need 10mp on a compact? I'd rather have 6mp and usable ISO400 and faster burst speed than 10mp and noisy ISO200.

Of COURSE they should continue the "megapixel war thing". 6 or 7 is really all that's needed for 90% of people out there, so as 12 and 13 megapixels trickle onto the market, our 6's and 7's can be dirt cheap.

Parent

RE: sweet

By spluurfg on 5/7/2007 7:52:40 PM , Rating: 4

Yeah, but then the 6 or 7 megapixel cameras get left behind... meanwhile the newer cameras have superior noise-reduction algorithms, features like image stabilization, better lenses, faster image processors, better video recording... I mean, the beloved Fuji f30/f31/f6000 have to deal with XD cards... bleh...

Take the Canon G7 for example... it's so feature packed yet compact; it's challenging to get a great lens (6x image stabilized) in a compact body when the sensor is bigger (1/1.8 versus 1/2.5) since bigger sensor means bigger lens. But they crammed 10mp onto the sensor, so the sensor is noisier than it should be for such a high end camera (it has noise even at ISO 80). The camera might have been pretty much perfect if they could have used a lower resolution, lower noise sensor.

Parent

RE: sweet

By mongrelchild on 5/7/2007 6:09:55 PM , Rating: 2

Iso 400 on these Canon cams is pretty bad, but acceptable.

Iso 800 or 1600 is completely atrocious and should not even be an option.

Instead of more megapixels, why doesn't Canon try to include a decent lens on their P&S models? CA and corner softness have always been issues with their models. And f/2.8, while it's the best available in P&S models, is a stop too slow to be useful at night/club/indoor photography.

I still like my Canon P&S, but I will never use it to take 'serious' pictures. I have a Pentax K100d SLR with a collection of nice primes and no point&shoot can compare.

Maybe high iso would be under control if they limited themselves to 4mp.... more than enough for this type of photography.

Parent

RE: sweet

By spluurfg on 5/7/2007 7:58:30 PM , Rating: 2

I don't think it's really feasible for compact cameras to have f1.8 zoom lenses... they'd be bigger than the camera... unless they shrink the sensor a lot, in which case the noise would kill you. Maybe something like a f2.8-f4 3x-5x zoom lens and a 1/8" CCD would give a good balance between size and performance... as long as they kept the resolution to something sensible.

Parent

RE: sweet

By LogicallyGenius on 5/8/2007 1:33:03 AM , Rating: 2

Whats the shutter speed, if i snap from a moving high speed train, will it capture anything outside ?

Parent

D80 Anyone?

By Rotkiv on 5/7/2007 10:10:07 AM , Rating: 2

I wonder how these would compare with the much older Nikon D80.

RE: D80 Anyone?

By daemoth on 5/7/2007 10:24:32 AM , Rating: 2

They don't. The D80 is for an entirely different market of consumers (being that is a SLR).

Parent

RE: D80 Anyone?

By stromgald on 5/7/07, Rating: -1

RE: D80 Anyone?

By slashbinslashbash on 5/7/2007 11:57:14 AM , Rating: 3

Um, no, it's "SLR-like" in terms of its looks, but it's not an SLR. No pentaprism viewfinder, no interchangable lenses.... it looks kind of like an SLR, but it isn't one.

That said, I don't think it's completely unfair to compare it to the low-end SLRs. This is pretty much the high-end of point-and-shoots, with a good zoom lens, and it costs almost as much.

Parent

RE: D80 Anyone?

By encryptkeeper on 5/7/2007 5:56:09 PM , Rating: 2

The S5 also fits into a market of people wanting more control over the way their pictures are taken. It's a far cry from a point and shoot camera in terms of functionality. Scene modes, camera modes, the selection for my colors, macro and super macro (for anyone who doesn't know, super macro is for objects that literally touch the lens) are a lot more than what you'd find on some Nikon of Kodak point and shoot.

Parent

RE: D80 Anyone?

By tdawg on 5/7/2007 12:03:05 PM , Rating: 2

Are you saying that there's a mirror in front of the sensor that has to move up and away when the shutter button is pressed? Not in a companct point & shoot; that'd be one tiny mirror box. The S5 is NOT an SLR.

FYI: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_lens_reflex

Parent

RE: D80 Anyone?

By KorruptioN on 5/7/2007 12:03:38 PM , Rating: 2

The Canon S5 is not a digital-SLR camera by any stretch. You cannot remove the main lens and the viewfinder works by way of a live sensor view, not with mirrors. Big zoom does not mean digital SLR.

Parent

RE: D80 Anyone?

By Spyvie on 5/7/2007 12:38:04 PM , Rating: 3

As a long time photography hobbyist, I am a aware of the difference between a “point and shoot” and an SLR or DSLR. I’d just like to point out that the original reason for the mirror, the prism, and the Single Lens Reflex design is to provide TTL (Through The Lens) framing and metering.

All digital cameras provide TTL framing when live preview is used. The difference between an SLR and a P&S are a little blurrier than they were a few years ago.

Back in the day, there were 3 basic kinds of consumer cameras; the Point and shoots (dominated by Kodak), middle tier “Rangefinders” for the more advanced hobbyist or as a second compact camera foe the professional, and the true SLRs for the professional or advanced hobbyist.

I think we need a new name for advanced compact cameras, as rangefinder doesn’t apply in the age of ubiquitous autofocus.

Parent

RE: D80 Anyone?

By 91TTZ on 5/7/2007 1:14:21 PM , Rating: 2

I agree. Some of the limitations that used to differentiate P&S and SLR cameras no longer exist.

Many people believe that you can't get live preview on SLRs, but this is not the case. If you look at the insides of the camera you'd see that it would be possible, since the same sensor could both be the viewfinder for the live preview and the film. Some new SLRs already have this, including one of Canon's.

Parent

RE: D80 Anyone?

By mongrelchild on 5/7/2007 6:17:54 PM , Rating: 2

No.

Olympus has a live-view DSLR, and it's done using a SECONDARY ccd to provide the preview. And you pay for it in terms of performance.

In any case, it is crap. DSLRs these days... ANY DSLR can take good pictures with minimal photographer involvement. Live view is an example of the Japanese serving a need where none exists. Other than when learning how photography 'works' the feature is utterly useless.

Parent

RE: D80 Anyone?

By Spyvie on 5/7/2007 7:04:09 PM , Rating: 2

I find live preview extremely useful for macro photography.

I own a Canon A520 and a Pentax *ist D, if I see an interesting flower or bug out in the yard I grab the Canon.

Parent

RE: D80 Anyone?

By Johnmcl7 on 5/8/2007 3:04:54 PM , Rating: 2

That's not quite right - the E-330 has two liveview modes, imaginitively named A and B. In mode A the camera uses the secondary sensor in the viewfinder chamber - this gives you AF and no delay when shooting. However as it's a small sensor(taken from one of their compact point and shoots) it struggles in low light, it doesn't show the full frame and there's no magnification for focusing.

Liveview mode B uses the main sensor (a Panasonic CMOS model) with the mirror kept out of the way - in this mode you get the full frame, better sensitivity in low light for the preview and a 10x boost for accurate focusing. The downside is with the mirror out of the way AF is slow as it has to bring the mirror back down (this function was added in a FW update). When taking a picture there is also a delay as the mirror and shutter have to close, open and close for the exposure and then open again to return to liveview.

The Panasonic L1 which shares some of the core components to the E-330 does not have a secondary sensor, it only has the liveview mode B from the E-330 driving the liveview from the main sensor. It has a couple of advantages over the Olympus solution as it can meter using the main sensor and it shows WB changes on the liveview.

As for it 'being crap', that's also inaccurate - just because you cannot see a use for it, doesn't mean no-one else can. There are various situations where you cannot have the SLR at your eye level where you would normally have to just guess the framing. With the E-330 particularly and its articulating LCD you can hold the camera above your head, at your feet up against a wall or sitting at an awkward position on a tripod but still properly frame the picture. Macro photography is also well suited to liveview, again you can have the camera in an awkward position mounted on a tripod with a 10x boosted view of the subject to assist in accurate focus.

John

Parent

RE: D80 Anyone?

By 91TTZ on 5/7/2007 1:07:38 PM , Rating: 1

You're making yourself look bad.

1. Please don't begin your sentences with, "Um"- it makes you sound like a mouthbreather.

2. Please don't attempt to sound informed on a subject when it's obvious that you don't.

The S1, S2, S3, and S5 cameras are NOT SLRs. The other poster's SLR excuse clearly does hold water.

Parent

RE: D80 Anyone?

By Belard on 5/8/2007 7:06:20 AM , Rating: 2

The Canon IS S-Series are quite good - but they are NOT SLRs in any way. The point of an SLR is to see exactly WHAT the film/Sensor will see. They are purely optical.

Hence, the monitors built into the Sx IS and other cameras are not exactly true.

The P&S cameras with a optical view finder (A must have) have their place, but do not show what the camera sees... but the back-display on today's digital camera is a very good replacement for that "SLR" feature.

In some situations, a NON SLR camera (The ability to live preview a shot on a disaplay) is very handy. So I use both types of cameras.

Canon is perhaps the best consumer camera to choose - the interface has NOT changed in 7 years! From the bottom in $100 to $600 models, all Canons function the same. other than the missing features on the lower-end models.

And all canons have easy access to more advanced NON-P&S functions... Go through Nikon's line up and you'll find about 3-5 different interfaces & button commands (other than the PLAY button).

Parent