Canon PnS Powershot S5 IS

I am new to underwater photography and are planning to buy a S5 IS.

I see a lot of posts on the G9 but none on the S5 IS which has better zoom and macro features than the G9. Does anyone have any experience with the S5 ?

Thank you in advance.

Henrik Weiss

OKAY GUYS - Not overwhelmed by the no. of replies.

Maybe I can rephrase the question a bit.

Alas no advice on experience, how about some guidance as to the specification of the S5 IS compared to the G9.

My own perception.

S5 IS:

No RAW -

8 Mpixel - okay

12 x zoom -

Supermacro mode, down to 0 distance -

G9:

RAW -

12 Mpixel - More than adequate for me

6 x zoom - Guess okay, but not as good for over water tele sessions

Thanks,

Henrik Weiss

This got talked about a month or so ago, so maybe do a search on the S5.

I'm not a fan of the S-series for underwater. They aren't great on macro from my experiences, which seems to be standard for most big zoom P&S's. There's no way you'd ever want the 12x zoom underwater either. Remember the golden rule, get close to your subject!

The other thing, the Ike housing for the S5 is a LOT bigger than the Ike G9 housing.

If you're wanting more zoom on the G9 for above water shots, you can add a teleconvertor to the camera.

If you're tossing up between the 2 for underwater, IMHO, the G9 is by far superior.

Ryan.

This got talked about a month or so ago, so maybe do a search on the S5.

 

I'm not a fan of the S-series for underwater. They aren't great on macro from my experiences, which seems to be standard for most big zoom P&S's. There's no way you'd ever want the 12x zoom underwater either. Remember the golden rule, get close to your subject!

 

The other thing, the Ike housing for the S5 is a LOT bigger than the Ike G9 housing.

 

If you're wanting more zoom on the G9 for above water shots, you can add a teleconvertor to the camera.

 

If you're tossing up between the 2 for underwater, IMHO, the G9 is by far superior.

 

Ryan.

Ryan,

Thanks for your advice. I went to the store today and asked about the two cameraes. Supposedly S5 is better for indoor use. So I bought the G9 with Teleconvertor and WA. Now I am off to the local divershop for some advice on Ike setup.

I also acquired the Underwater photog... book by Martin Edge, so more than enough to keep me busy for the upcoming holiday season.

Henrik