Canon PowerShot S5 IS Black 8.0 MP 2.5" 207K LCD 12X Optical Zoom Digital Camera

Pros: The camera is a genuine photographic tool, once you master its settings, the results are truly impressive. Those who bash the camera will eventually have to reconcile with the fact that achieving better results with a DSLR will require towing about $1500-2000 worth of glass with it. Even the much derided noise (see more on that below) on higher ISO settings is livable, if you don't intend to print those images. On Powerex rechargable NiMh 2700mAh batteries the camera simingly works forever (500+ pictures with intermittent use of LCD *and* downloading pics from the camera). Invest in a monopod, Raynox or Lensmate adapter and a multi-coated polarizer filter and you will shame your "pro" friends for a year or so... until Canon puts their new CMOS sensor in all prosumer cameras :)) Oh, did I mention that the movie mode is simply awesome and the supplied software fully controls the camera?

Cons: SD card slot should have been in a separate from battery compartment. Byonet mount should have been from aluminum, not plastic.

Overall Review: As many of you should know by now, we are all victims of the "megapixel wars" that marketing departments of all major electronic companies are engaged in now. Cramming more and more pixels, without increasing the sensor size, will only result in less sensitivity / more noise. Once you realize this basic constraint coming from the top, all the more kudos should be given to Cannon engineers for being able to make the best out of the situation.

Pros: Image quality is fantastic. Movie quality is ALSO fantastic. Movies don't come out in the dreaded *.mov file format or some weird, unreadable file that needs some special codec to play. The 'color accent' feature this camera has is a tad gimmicky but has some use. Movies can be recorded in this mode if you want. Also, the LCD screen swivels which has more functionality than most people want to admit. Not only does it protect the screen (fold it in towards the camera body when not in use), it also allows you to pretty much get a clear view at virtually any angle. Also, this is one of the only, if not THE only digital camera in its class that has a 60FPS video recording option, and believe me, it's useful. Plus, it uses AA batteries, that's a major plus. Moreover, the CCD in this camera is fairly sensitive to infrared light, which means you take awesome IR photos. This camera is the best you can get in this price range. To do any better, you're gonna need a DSLR. End of story.

Cons: If I had to complain, which I am hesitant to do, I would say that my biggest issue with the camera is the fact that the lens adapter mount gets some slack worn in it and after a while the adapter is able to tick (rotate) back and forth to a very small degree. No, it won't affect the pictures, cosmetics, or functionality. It' merely annoying and has no detrimental effects on the camera.

Overall Review: There is a 'MUST_HAVE_IT' item for this camera and that is the lensmate lens adapter that is mentioned in several reviews. Just do a search for 'lensmate adapter'. The name of the site is 'lensmateonline'. I strongly recommend that you DO NOT buy the plastic and inferior (AND more expensive) adapter from the makers of this camera. The lensmate is metal (consequently more durable) and threads better. The reason why you want this adapter is because it protects your lens 100% of the time (while the camera is ON or OFF) if you couple it with a UV filter. And then with this, you can use a much stronger lens cap, ergo, ending the complaint about the lens cap falling off. So long as you keep the adapter on, you'll never bang your lens on something or ever scratch it. It was the best purchase I've ever made for this camera. I'd much rather break a ten dollar UV filter than a three+ bill camera.

Pros: Excellent pictures...again and again. Don't EVER underestimate how having a zoom range out to 432mm (35mm equivalent) can add to your picture taking creativity. This camera simply does everything well and costs thousands less than an SLR with heavy, mega-buck lenses doing the same thing. The image stabilization works great and makes it hard to take a bad shot. The camera is light and easy to carry. Buy it. You won't be disappointed.

Cons: The lens cap is designed to fall off easily...and it does. You'd think Canon would spend time trying to design a cap to stay on rather than fall off. Instead of living with this irritating design my advice is buy a Lensmate 52mm adapter which allows you to attach a 52mm filter and a lens cap that won't fall off. I did this and am glad I did. Along with being able to mount the filter of my choice and a good cap I was also able to eliminate the string Canon uses to catch their cap when it falls off. That alone was reason enough to get the Lensmate adapter because I know the day would come when I'd somehow "catch" that string and end up dropping the camera.

Overall Review: The only other design problem I have with this camera is the fact that the batteries and SD Card are in the same compartment. I see other people complaining about this over and over and marvel that Canon simply chooses to ignore this issue. How hard can it be to simply put the batteries in one compartment and the SD card in another? I've now been "trained" to use the included USB cable to transfer images to my computer. However, I'd prefer just taking the card out if I could do it without having to watch the batteries fall out at the same time.

Pros: A lot of features! Manual focus, shooting modes. Uses AA batteries so you are sure not worry about running out of a power source. Good solid feel. Available adapters to use optional lenses (to REALLY extend the already very large range) and filters. Can also mount optional flash on a hotshoe. Long battery life. Uses SD memory cards (inexpensive!).

Cons: The list is short. Memory card located on the bottom in battery compartment. No Bulb feature.

Overall Review: I've noticed comments that on problems that either aren't or or shouldn't be problems. The lens cap comes off easy because it is designed to do so. This prevents damage to the lens upon opening with lens cap attached to tether and not removed when turned on. So to those who think it is a problem, it isn't, it is meant to do that. Another had a problem with it turning on too easy. It has a lock button that has to be pushed in and then the power switch turned. So not sure how that is accomplished in a camera bag accidently. To the "bonkers" response, a Rebel XT only has a 1.8" viewfinder, Digic II processor and can't take videos. Not to mention the dollars to have to buy in extra lenses to equal the shooting power of this. This is far from a "point and shoot" camera and no DSLR can touch it for the price. I have never regretted buying this camera (July 2007)and look forward to many years of great shots.

Pros: Update to earlier post! I prefer not to use preset modes. I can macro with and freeze rain drop outside with a shallow DOF with 1/1000 shutter ISO 800 with very little noise. PP elimate noise reveal great shot. My SLR Nikon needs a $300 lens for this feat.

Cons: that I did not see the light earlier and buy it sooner.

Overall Review: can't always bring extra 10+ lbs of Nikon 40 & assec. GO TO LENSMATE.com and order a Lense adapter (not sold at newegg :-( & get a Hoya linear Polarizer filter thats lets in 99.4 percent of light. Newegg do not carry any LINEAR Polarize filter that let in more then 81% of the light. That will lower your F stop 1 or 2 steps. If you buy $400 add on lenses that is 2.7f and add cheap filter that wil turn your $400 lense into $50 4.7f lenses.

Pros: Nice sized camera, Fits well in your hand.Lots of features most accesable with the push of one button,movie button is nice.Very capable camera. The flip out screen is such a plus in my opinion , It's easy to take candid shots of people without being so odvious, and you can get some very intresting angles and still have a good view of the subject.also closes for protection my last camera was the canon A 620 good camera but the S5 IS is a big step up.

Cons: None that I can think of at this time, not even the lens cap ,I think it was designed to be able to pop off incase the camera is turned on with the lens cap on. As far as the sd card slot being in the battery compartment - with the camera upside down the door can be opened and closed in approximately two secounds once you get used to it.

Overall Review: If you buy this camera you won't be disapointed. I am very satisfied. It's feature packed ,It has great battery life with 2500 mah mi hi.Its A tough camera to beat. Thanks for the great service NEW EGG ! !

Pros: This is an Excellent camera, especially for the price! It can be used as anything from a simple point-and-shoot (in AUTO mode) to darn near a full-featured SLR (in MANUAL mode) and everything in between, without the price or bulk of a full SLR rig. Takes excellent photos; has enough options that you can do virtually anything you want right there on the camera, and the menus are quite easy to navigate once . The body looks and feels very durable; hand grip is large enough to feel well-supported with one hand. My friend was so impressed with his first experience with it that he went out and bought one for himself!

Cons: My only "complaint" is that the lens cap comes off too easily, but that is a designed feature so the lens does not try to extend in to it (the lens makes it pop off when you turn the camera on)

Overall Review: Just as good as an SLR for all but the most experienced photographers; Canon is a great, reliable brand

Pros: Within an hour of owning the camera and briefly scanning through the user guides, I was taking some stunning pictures. I love the pivot display and the 2.5" LCD screen makes everything look like pure eye candy. I have very shaky hands and the optical image stabilization works very well. Best video I have ever seen from a point & shoot camera and the audio is recorded in stereo. Hot shoe for those that might use it (I probably won't). So many great features, so little time.

Cons: The only thing I didn't like about this camera was the fact that you have to manually raise the flash...sometimes every second counts when you are trying to get a good picture. Even some of the cheaper models have a pop-up flash button. Hardly a deal breaker for me though.

Overall Review: I'm baffled by all of the people complaining about the lens cap. Mine doesn't fall of as easily as I was expecting after reading some of the reviews here. As others have already pointed out, it was intentionally designed that way and I'm pleased with it. I can also understand why some people have complained about blurry or noisy pictures. Before I opened the manual I was getting some horrifying shots but when I started looking though the user guides my pictures started improving almost instantly. Great camera!!