Canon Announces Powershot S5 IS and Powershot SD850 IS Digital Cameras

With the Canon Powershot S5 IS, Canon has rolled out the long-anticipated successor to the S3 IS. Along with the S5 IS announcement, Canon is also announcing the Powershot SD850 IS. Even though both cameras are very different - the S5 IS is a larger ultra-zoom, and the SD850 IS is an ultra-compact - they still have a lot in common. The Powershot S5 IS will be available in June for $499 and the Powershot SD850 IS will ship in May for $399.

Both cameras have Canon's optical image stabilization system, DIGIC III processors, face detection technology, in-camera red-eye correction, 8 megapixel resolution, and 2.5 inch LCDs. Also, a new Auto ISO Shift feature will, at the press of a button, increase the ISO so that faster shutter speeds can be used.

Canon Powershot S5 IS

(view large image)

Compared to its predecessor, the S5 IS gets a capture resolution bump, a new processor, a larger LCD, some more movie modes and other "soft" features. It still has the 12x optical zoom, stabilized lens and the LCD is still of the Vari-Angle type, which can flip out and rotate for easy viewing with different shooting angles.

(view large image)

A new feature added to the S5 IS that will be very important to some is a hotshoe. The hotshoe will let you attach a Canon EX-series Speedlite flash for extended flash capabilities.

With the addition of the DIGIC III processor, the S5 IS gets to take full advantage of many features that we've already seen on DIGIC III cameras, like Face Detection. In fact, the S5 IS can also utilize the facial detection for focus and exposure during movie capture. Like its predecessor, the S5 IS also has the MovieSnap feature that lets you take a full-resolution still frame while you're in the middle of capturing a movie.

The Powershot S5 IS has a total of 22 shooting modes. The shooting mode dial lets you pick from Full Auto, Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual, Super Macro, Portrait, Landscape, Night Snapshot, Sports, Stitch Assist and Movie.

Quick Specs

• 8 megapixels
• 12x optical zoom with image stabilization
• 2.5 inch Vari-Angle LCD
• Face Detection AF/AE
• Red-eye correction
• 22 shooting modes
• DIGIC III processor
• Up to ISO 1600
• Shutter speed up to 1/3200 second
• Powered with 4 AA batteries
• Accepts SD, SDHC, and MMC media
• Available in June 2007 for $499

More info

Canon Powershot SD850 IS

(view large image)

You may think that the SD850 IS is the successor to the SD800 IS, but that is incorrect. The Powershot SD850 IS is the successor to the SD700 IS. The SD850 IS, like the SD700 IS has a 4x optical zoom, while the SD800 IS has a shorter zoom, but wide angle lens.

(view large image)

The SD850 is the latest in the SD/Digital ELPH series. This series is known for quick operation, good image quality and a nice compact form factor. In the case of the SD850 IS, it measures 3.56 inches x 2.22 inches x 1.04 inches.

In addition to the hardware upgrades from the SD700 IS - capture resolution increase, a new PureColor LCD, and DIGIC III processor - the SD850 IS also gets all the features that the DIGIC III processor affords like the facial detection AF/AE and in-camera red-eye correction. There are also a couple brand new "soft" features. There is an additional Time Lapse movie mode that lets you record a movie by capturing still frames at a set interval. There is a Creative Light Effect scene mode that can alter the shape of bright spots in the background. In night shots, you can make background points of light look like hearts or stars, for example.

Quick Specs

• 8 megapixels
• 4x optical zoom with image stabilization
• 2.5 inch PureColor LCD
• Face Detection AF/AE
• Red-eye correction
• 18 shooting modes
• DIGIC III processor
• Up to ISO 1600
• Powered with proprietary lithium-ion battery pack, good for 230 shots with LCD on
• Accepts SD, SDHC, and MMC media
• Available in May 2007 for $399

More info