I have a Canon S3 and was thinking of buying an S5 ...

I own a Canon S3 and was thinking of getting an S5, so I could upgrade and help my brother in law (who's on disability and can't afford a new camera) get my old camera (the S3). As I was reading, I saw people choosing the S3 over the S5, should I just get another S3? I know of a barely used one for a good price. Please help with this.

Vicky,

I like the Canon S5 IS better for a number of reasons:

- Higher resolution (8MP vs 6MP)
- Newer DIGIC III Image Processor
- Higher ISO capability
- External flash shoe (like a SLR)

These features do make the S5 a more attractive camera. If you like your S3 though, and budget comes into question, you might just stick with it. If you want to expand your photography skills and try some new things you can try the S5 or even move up to a dSLR. Good luck and happy shooting.

Andrew

If you can get the S3 for a bargain, then stick with the S3. If budget's not a concern, then you might as well go for a dSLR?!

Thanks for replies, I have been looking at SLR's but do not think I really want to do that yet, even with a base model, the start up costs are quite high, and I am not sure that I cannot achieve very similar photographic results with an S5 as would be achieved with an entry level SLR. Please expand on your experiences....

Vicky,

You will still get beautiful shots with the S5. I had an S2 for a while and got some beautiful photos with it (linked below). The newer options of the ability to attach an external flash to the S4, and the better processer make it very attractive if you don't want to move up to a dSLR yet.

Andrew
S2 Photos:
- Sunrise
- Lawn Jockeys
- Yellow Building
- Courthouse Fisheye (using a fisheye adapter lens)

It all depends on when and where you take your photos! With the S5 or similar camera models, you can still get very good results if you take your photos with good lighting conditions, ie outdoors or even room with plenty of bright natural lighting. But when it comes to low lighting conditions, then you'll have very noticeable deficient results as compared to entry level SLR.

This is mostly due to the very small sensor size in this range of cameras, where the CCD would require much more "effort" to capture sufficient light source. So in order to try and reduce this deficiency, the camera makers introduce higher ISO capabilities, but all this does is let you capture more and more noise in your photos.

If you are serious in learning photography and wish to be able to take great photos in a wider range of shooting conditions, even an entry level dSLR is well worth the money if you could afford it. The Nikon D40x with a kit lens would only set you back less than double the cost of getting the Canon S5IS.

Benefits the S5IS would give you over dSLR for now are: -
1. Higher Zoom range (36mm - 432mm equivalent)
2. Movie recording with stereo sound, and optical zooming during recording
3. A swivel LCD
4. Very good Macro shooting (you would require a dedicated Macro Lens for dSLR)

My experience with my S5 so far is that it takes great picture outdoors with good light (I should say when ever the camera can shoot without flash at ISO 80 hand held). It's also good for enthusiasts who like to shoot at high zoom like shooting the moon etc (but that is not usually why people buy a camera for).

Well, it depends on what you need, if say you do not need the 12x optical zoom and the zooming while taking video, and you would not want to spend too much on a dSLR for now, I would suggest you go for the Canon G9! That camera will give you much better photographic results!

I was looking at the G9 as suggested, but also saw the A650IS. Which would you choose between these two?

You are all great!! And it has been fun learning about these cameras. I have enjoyed the links to the websites too, your photos are stunning.

We're glad to help Vicky. Good luck and happy shooting.

Andrew