Canon PowerShot S500 User Opinions

Canon PowerShot S500

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76.6% of Users Would Recommend this Digital Camera

23.4% of Users Would Not Recommend this Digital Camera

TOTAL USER RATINGS: 64

Showing opinions 1 - 10 of 64 next > >>

Canon held back

Submitted by unknown on 4/27/2005 10:32:29 PM

PROS: This camera is virtually identical to the Powershot 400, which is extremely solid, elegant, and takes excellent pictures. It feels excellent in the hands.

CONS: Canon really held back here. They had an opportunity to corner the compact 5 megapixel market. For one, they didn't increase the size of the LCD display. Second, they limit movies to 180 seconds, like the Powershot 400. Also, movies are still only available at 15 frames per second. No lens attachment is available either. The list goes on. Canon's idea of a 'bonus' is to put a silly gold-plated rim around the lens frame. Big deal. How about features? Canon has really rested on it laurels here. Now they have been surpassed by the Sony Cybershot W1, which, unfortunately, blows away the Powershot 500. The W1 has a 2.5" LCD screen, a carl zeiss lens, a lens adapter, unlimited movie capability at 30 frames per second and 640x480 resolution. It is almost the same size and weight as the Canaon, but it doesn't look as nice IMHO. But for $100 cheaper than the canon, there is no choice here. Why, Canon? Why? Your die-hard fans were looking forward to this camera and the only improvemenst are a dirent-to-printer button and a 640x480 movie mode, limited to a few seconds. I hope the Powershot 600 is more intelligently placed in the market. Canon has a winning camera here, as it is beautiful, takes great pictures, and feels just right, but people cannot ignore price and features!! Don't hold back next time, Canon! I am going to buy the Sony Cybershot W1, and no doubt many of your would-have-been customers are going to as well.

Very good camera for the price!

Submitted by unknown on 4/27/2005 10:32:29 PM

PROS: The camera comes with a lot of great features. I have only had the camera for three weeks and all my images came out good quality. I like the viewfinder optical zoom where if you only use the viewfinder (when the room is ****) you can see where you are zooming in. Also, if you wanted to zoom in on a subject and you hold down on the zoom, it will only zoom in on the optical zoom, then after you let go and press on it again, it will then use the digital zoom. That is very convenient for those who do not like to use digital zoom like me. Of course, you can always turn the digital zoom off. I highly recommend this camera to everyone.

CONS: The price is a little high, however I feel that the money was worth getting this camera.

Really Like it a lot

Submitted by unknown on 4/27/2005 10:32:29 PM

PROS: A lot of features for such a compact camera. Bottom line is I like a camera that I can throw into my pocket and take anywhere.

CONS: None so far.

Simply Delightful

Submitted by unknown on 4/27/2005 10:32:29 PM

PROS: Light, compact, durable and easy to use. The picture quality is outstanding and the functionality is simple yet comprehensive.

CONS: Does not include AC power adapter or carrying case which are essential.

Elegant, compact, responsive, snapshooter

Submitted by unknown on 4/27/2005 10:32:29 PM

PROS: Pocket sized, good picture quality, i have a very responsive model, unlike the one reviewed by cnet. Fantastic build quality, good red eye reduction. Also it accepts compact flash unlike cheaper competitiors models that make you buy expensive memory sticks or SD cards or even XD. I like it for its simplicity and point and shoot ease of use. This was my choice over the dimage Xt because of the resolution and memory card format and canon reliability.

CONS: Crap movie mode, but then if i wanted a movie, wouldnt i just get a digi camcorder. Blaming the movie mode on this cam is like blaming crap pic quality on cam enabled cell phones. This cam takes good pics at high res in a compact form with no hassles. Its not a jack of all trades and is not for professionals who want advanced manual control.

NEEDS LENSE ADAPTER & LONG LIFE BATTERY

Submitted by unknown on 4/27/2005 10:32:29 PM

PROS: SIZE, PICTURE QUALITY AND FLASH

CONS: THE CAMERA NEEDS A LENSE ADAPTER AND A LONGER LIFE BATTERY. SHOULD COME WITH AN AC POWEER SUPPLY AND CORD

Great camera, but don't Upgrade S400

Submitted by unknown on 4/27/2005 10:32:29 PM

PROS: If you are looking to buy a durable, high-quality digital camera you can fit in your jeans pocket, go with Canon PowerShots! I was an avid user of the S400 until luck presented me with a "free" upgrade to the S500. The S400 is a solid performer. My 8x10 prints are incredible. Many photo afficionados swear my prints are from a film camera! With 30% higher resolution, I expect the S500 to follow. So good so far. A year after the S400, Canon has added 640x480 movie capability (only 10fps, 30s) and a "Print/Share" button (a button I'll never use). Canon upgraded the operating system, too (expanded power-saving features, "quick-shot" mode).

CONS: If you own an S400 keep it. Don't need 5 Megapixels? Spend less $$ on the new S410. I agree that the S500 is an S400 remake. Except for the upgrades mentioned above, the core of the S400 and the new S500 are identical. There are no specked improvements/upgrades to the DiGIC processor nor the response time. Maybe these are to come in 2005?

Could have been a contender!!

Submitted by unknown on 4/27/2005 10:32:29 PM

PROS: Sleek design, compact, brand name, solid build.

CONS: LCD screen too small now, VGA movie mode ONLY 10 sec max clip at 15fps - terrible!! Heavy, slightly bulky, lens view not wide enough for group shots. Going to wait for the Sony Cybershot W1 and others before I buy a 5 MP. I am a previous owner of the Canon S230 and was hoping for Canon to break out of the box but they failded miserably with only mediocre upgrades with such a high price. Canon has a bad habit of releasing too many models that quickly become obsolete in the marketplace. The company needs new leadership they do the same problem with their printers. By the time you take it out of the box a month later there's a new model on there website. I think its starting to become a rip off.

Awesome set of features

Submitted by unknown on 4/27/2005 10:32:29 PM

PROS: Elf size is handy for vacations. Resolution is more than adequate for larger format photos.

CONS: Cost is competitive with other digitals, but still expensive.

Nope. I'll get the Sony Cybershot W1S

Submitted by unknown on 4/27/2005 10:32:29 PM

PROS: Small size. Sturdy construction.

CONS: LCD screen too small. VGA movie mode ONLY 10 sec max clip at 15fps. No add-on lens ability.

Showing opinions 1 - 10 of 64 next > >>

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Find a Digital Camera

Canon PowerShot S500

Canon held back

Very good camera for the price!

Really Like it a lot

Simply Delightful

Elegant, compact, responsive, snapshooter

NEEDS LENSE ADAPTER & LONG LIFE BATTERY

Great camera, but don't Upgrade S400

Could have been a contender!!

Awesome set of features

Nope. I'll get the Sony Cybershot W1S

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