Reviews for Canon PowerShot G5 5 Megapixel Compact Camera1.8" LCD - 4x Optical Zoom - 2592 x 1944 Image - 320 x 240 Video - MPN: 8398A001
By member:
terps1
- Aug 25, 2003
Canon PowerShot G5 5 Megapixel Compact CameraStrengths: Great photo quality, flexibility and battery life. Weakness: Still expensive but one of the best in class for price. Also, the video quality is poor, but if you want good video, get a video cam. Also, viewfinder limitations. I bought my G5 soon after it was available after determining that it was time to get rid of my Canon A-1 film camera and replace my ancient Powershot S-10. The G5 takes great pictures and from a practical point of view, this camera blows filmed cameras to dust. Is it better than the quality of a filmed camera? I have no clue and I have yet to make a poster sized photo. What I do know is that I can take great photos with this camera and have yet to find any flaws in the photos I've taken. What about the purple fringing? I don't know. I haven't taken a manifying glass out to check and don't intend to look at my photos zoomed in at 30x. How does it compare to G2/G3? Don't know, never owned either and if you've never owned either, you shouldn't care either. All I know is the G5 takes great pics and with a great battery life, you can take so many (300+) photos before recharging. 90% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
By member:
photobigal
- Oct 19, 2003
Canon PowerShot G5 5 Megapixel Compact CameraStrengths: the picture quality is exceptional, it is better than my canon G-2 which also gives great results. Who needs an SLR when you have the G-5 quality. Weakness: Although the camera performs well the adapter tube for using filters interferes with the viewfinder Thus you would need to use your screen or estimate using the lines in the view finder. overall after owning several digtial camera's I find the G-5 the best of all. Very few camera's can match the image quality. I like having so many functions bulit in a camera of its size. The ability to move the sceen is a great feature. 89% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
By member:
herbertt
- Dec 30, 2003
Canon PowerShot G5 5 Megapixel Compact CameraStrengths: Powerful digital camera, with more features than the average Joe can use; 16-bit moveable WYSIWYG LCD display of images before shot is taken; the AVI video feature is absolutely cool; solid quality. Weakness: None from where I am sitting; an excellent buy for those seeking a solidly built, high-end point-and-shoot type digital camera. This recent purchase is the 2nd digital camera I've owned, my first being a Kodak DC120 digital camera that still works fine. My wife and I love using this PowerShot G5 camera! It has features galore, more than enough to satisfy the most discriminating semi-professional photographer and digital computer buff. I like the AVI video feature and the moveable LCD display. The AVI feature won't replace a digital camcorder video in quality. But its a nice feature to have when you need to capture a moment on video. I mated our camera with a SanDisk 512 Mb CF chip to replace the wimpy 32 Mb CF chip that came with the camera. So we have plenty of digital storage for high resolution pics or about 25 continuous minutes of hi-res AVI video. The high resolution (5.0 megapixel) photos of people are so detailed that when blown up, you can see their skin pores! I am quite impressed with the quality and solid feel of the camera. I went with a Canon digital this time, having owned several Canon film cameras over the years with satisfaction. A definite "5 star" digital camera. Cheers! :-) 88% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
By member:
Gahawn
- May 23, 2004
Canon PowerShot G5 5 Megapixel Compact CameraStrengths: Excellent picture quality, lots of manual controls but still easy to use in auto mode, good battery life. Weakness: slow auto focus in low light, nothing else I've found so far It's simply a great camera. I have owned a Powershot S30 for a while and loved it. I wanted something with more megapixels and improved manual features and I got it! While larger than many of the current point-and-shoot models, this camera is not cumbersome and offers a very large range of advanced options to keep even semi-pro shutterbugs happy for a while to come. If you're looking for anything more than 3 megapixels, look seriously at this camera. 84% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
By member:
tbosco
- Dec 16, 2003
Canon PowerShot G5 5 Megapixel Compact CameraStrengths: BATTERY LIFE is terrific! Sturdy construction. Excellent imaging. Loaded with features. Superior flexibility- can take a shot nearly every way imaginable. Logical layout of buttons and menus. Weakness: Yes, the el cheapo lens cap. Fair amount of difficulty in achieving autofocus of closeups in low light. AF beam slightly off center. I am a very amateur digital photographer, but used to enjoy taking SLR photos many years ago. I love the G5! It has every feature imaginable on it, and I have yet to shoot a picture with the notorious "purple fringing" in it. However, it is very difficult to get the Autofocus to perform in low light, especially at closeup range. Other images have turned out exceptional. The ability to capture images on my computer screen using the supplied software has much potential in the business arena (studios, jewelry stores, etc). I would highly recommend this camera, but would like to see the price lowered a bit and REALLY be competitive. I previously owned a Nikon Coolpix 3100, and it was a great camera also, but the G5 is a much more pro-model. The G5 is definitely not just a point and shoot camera (although it does that very well) with all the shooting features. The supplied software is EXCELLENT!! 84% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
By member:
northsteel
- Jun 30, 2003
Canon PowerShot G5 5 Megapixel Compact CameraStrengths: Great pictures. Easy to use. This is my 4th digital camera. Last was Olympus E-20n and the G5 is better. Weakness: So far none I've been shooting away with the dedicated flash and all pictures are crisp clear and full bold colors. In digital photography I always had problems with focusing. This camera doesn't seem to have any problems. Very quick between pictures. I highly recommend the G5. 80% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
By member:
trueheart
- Dec 13, 2003
Canon PowerShot G5 5 Megapixel Compact CameraStrengths: This camera has a lot more features than my G2 which was stolen. Canon has fixed the annoying strap problem by making the strap less slippery. You can take longer movies with this camera. Weakness: The power/mode release button makes it difficult to turn the camera on. The black plastic casing is not as nice as that of the G2. Although I am pleased overall with the camera, I find the power/mode release button problem a real turn-off in using the camera. You have to push a little button in to turn the camera on, and it makes the camera difficult to use. I also liked the G2's metallic type body, and I do not like the black plastic casing of the G5. 78% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
By member:
Vladik
- May 17, 2004
Canon PowerShot G5 5 Megapixel Compact CameraStrengths: a lot of color balances(auto,flowrcast,tunglsone...)easy to use. Canon...the best camera maker.(my third one) Weakness: slow auto focus..i guess its in all canons now This digital camera is absolutely fantastic!!! Starting at the lcd and ending with the software. the LCD is absolutely awesome!!! very good quality….a lot better then any Kodak!!!. 74% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
By member:
GilGonzalez73
- Mar 10, 2004
Canon PowerShot G5 5 Megapixel Compact CameraStrengths: Battery life, image quality, ease of use. Weakness: None I could discern. This is the best camera I have ever seen. Some reviewers will blast the camera for "chromatic aberration", but it is clearly in the top 3. The image quality is by far the best I have seen. I researched my purchase of the Canon Powershot G5, for more than 6 months before a recent trip to San Francisco. My previous camera had horrible battery life; as I would have to switch out the disposable batteries after 30-40 shots. The Canon Powershot G5 is truly a prosumer camera, and my liking for digital photography has gone up by 100%. I am EXTREMELY pleased with my purchase, and if consumers do their research, they are able to get a good $100 off the retail value if they do their research online, and are willing to wait a week to receive their purchase. My suggestion is whoever is looking at getting a new digital camera, I strongly urge you to look at the Powershot G5, and get it outright, you will not be disappointed. 71% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
By member:
connerja2
- Mar 28, 2004
Canon PowerShot G5 5 Megapixel Compact CameraStrengths: Good prints that could be blown up to 8x10 or larger. Weakness: Very confusing in manual mode. Difficult to focus in low light. The camera as a whole is great when using the bare minimum options, but becomes very difficult to use when you want to use the many "pro" options. It is also nearly impossible to auto focus in low light. 69% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
By member:
jmeek1730
- Nov 9, 2003
Canon PowerShot G5 5 Megapixel Compact CameraStrengths: EXCELLENT PICS WITH EASY OPERATION. NEVER TAKES A BAD PICTURE--GREAT ZOOM WITHOUT MUCH LOSS OF RESOLUTION! INSTANT PIC REVIEW AND ABILITY TO ZOOM UP TO EVAL DETAILS UPCLOSE AFTER SHOOTING IS GREAT... Weakness: LIKE ANY DIGITAL CAMERA, PHOTOS ARE MORE EXPENSIVE THAN 30MM.... THIS IS A GREAT CAMERA FOR ANYONE WHO CAN AFFORD IT----MAKES EVEN AN AMATEUR FEEL LIKE A PRO ! I GUESS YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR BUT IT WAS HARD FOR ME TO JUSTIFY PAYING SO MUCH TO GO DIGITAL---BUT I WANTED THE BEST & GOT THE BEST ! 69% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
By member:
philball
- Oct 2, 2003
Canon PowerShot G5 5 Megapixel Compact CameraStrengths: Picture Quality is outstanding. The moveable LCD screen is terrific and offers a 100% view of the image. Battery life is great for 2-3 days despite heavy use of the LCD screen. Weakness: Viewfinder is partly blocked by the lens; use the LCD screen for most pictures. There is image noise at higher ISOs but not a problem at ISO 50. Bright lights have a star-effect. I bought my G5 in July. It is my first digital camera but I have been an avid semi-pro photographer for over 30 years. I just returned from a one-month photo trip taking 677 exposures, mostly scenics and flower closeups plus some night shots. I shot mostly on Manual exposure, using the LCD screen to adjust the exposure until the results looked right. My PC's calibrated screen verified the accuracy of this method. A few slight adjustments in Photoshop and they were perfect! All photos were taken at the highest Jpeg because pre-trip testing indicated that the results were equal to RAW and the file size was smaller. Jpeg artifacts are nearly non-existent. Battery life was phenomenal. Despite using the LCD screen for nearly every shot and spending a lot of time reviewing, planning improvements, and sharing my work with my photo buddy, batteries would last 2-4 days. I recharged using a car charger while driving and recharged only 6 times in more than two weeks of frequent use! Color was strong and quite lovely when set for vivid color saturation which suited this old Velvia film user. The Canon accessory lenses continue the fine quality of this camera's images. This is a great camera for a serious shutterbug who wants full control of their photos because of the wide range of manual controls. Manual focus is clunky but useful. The partially obstructed viewfinder makes it less useful to the point and shooter. Highly recommended if you can live with the few shortcomings. 68% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
By member:
john01910
- Apr 13, 2004
Canon PowerShot G5 5 Megapixel Compact CameraStrengths: 3 avalable lens, very close to a DSLR for half the price. Weakness: flash cast a shadow when using a wide-angle lens. The G5 is a very good camera. It has comprable fetures to most Digital SLR body cameras for about half the price. the photos are of the highest quality. 64% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
By member:
osboaa
- Dec 15, 2003
Canon PowerShot G5 5 Megapixel Compact CameraStrengths: Easy to shoot quality shots, in all light. Lots of usable variations in shooting. Weakness: Cost, Small compact Flash(32mb) with camera. This is my 5th Digital Camera. It is easier to operate out of the box than most point and shoot. Photo's have been good to very good. The Cannon G-3 is also an excellent choice. The Compact Flash card needs to be at least 128mb. I have a 128mb and also a 256mb. The cards provided by Cannon are 32mb., You will fill those quickly. Both are durable and user friendly. The $516. I paid ShopDigitalonline was the best price. Shipping was high and slow. 63% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
By member:
Hez
- Jan 30, 2004
Canon PowerShot G5 5 Megapixel Compact CameraStrengths: Great resolution with the pictures that I was able to take. Weakness: Too many knobs and buttons especially the power switch, you need to go to school for at least a month just to learn the jargon contained in the phone book size manual that you must consult too often. This camera has great potential, but it is in dire need of going back to the drawing board for simplification. The power switch is the first thing that needs revamping. Anyone with large fingers will find this switch very inconvenient. The next thing that has to be looked at is the mode dial. It moves too easily from one mode to the next. I am not a professional photographer by any means and when I want to take some pictures, I am excited and when I finish my sequence I look and see that the mode dial has moved. There has to be a better way to lock in the features you want and go ahead and shoot without concern that you are in a different mode than the mode you set. 41% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
Reply by member: AutzenMaven
Jan 26, 2005 Hez' comments are inane. Am I to assume that operator incompetence is a reason to slam this great camera? I am "active" and I have no problems with this camera or any other camera that I own. I have owned the G5 for over a year and have experienced none of the "problems" this user indicates. Also, he alludes to the "phone book sized" user manual? He must live in a very small town.
Reply by member: 8peace
Apr 12, 2005 Are you kidding me?!?! This camera is wonderful!!!! I owned mine for a year before it was stolen and was very happy with the quality of the pictures and the ease that I had using the camera, and I'm a novice. I used this camera for all pictures on my website and they look great there as well. I am saving up to buy another one and won't even consider any other camera. I think the above user should stick to a disposable.
By member:
gterobert
- Nov 10, 2003
Canon PowerShot G5 5 Megapixel Compact CameraStrengths: it takes pretty good pictures, look of camera is nice, viewfinder is flexible. has many features. Weakness: size it is heavy i think if it were light weight more compact it would be better, and kind of pricey, overral camera seems to be good, only thing is it is kinda pricey and heavy camera, not something you can hide away somewhere or compact. this days it seems small is better. 18% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
By member:
sandytran
- Oct 24, 2005
Canon PowerShot G5 5 Megapixel Compact CameraStrengths: good quality workmanship and lots of exposure features. Weakness: outdated with only 5 megapixels and overpriced and costing as much as some 8 megapixel cameras. back in late 2003 when i got my canon g5 it was one 0% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful? Top
TopTenREVIEWS.com - Jul 16, 2008
Canon Powershot G5
Canon Powershot G5 receives an overall TopTenREVIEWS score of 2.62 out of 4.00. It is ranked the #143 standard digital camera of all time. The overall rating represents an intelligent balance of features, value as a function of price to features, and a summary of reviews from a variety of sources. The TopTen REVIEWS' formula gives a picture of important consumer features, market value, and a... Top
pocket-lint.co.uk - Dec 15, 2003
Canon Powershot G5
If you're a new high-end user though you can ignore the history lesson and put it on your shortlist. Top
Macworld.com - Oct 1, 2003
PowerShot G5
In years past, digital-camera manufacturers seemed to take a summer vacation. But this year, that wasn't the case; they came out with more and more models every few weeks (or so it seemed). Here's a look at the wide range of cameras that debuted this summer. Top
Imaging Resource - Aug 18, 2003
Canon PowerShot G5
Canon's new PowerShot G5 sports all the (many) enhancements of their G3 model, but with the added benefit of a 5MP sensor chip. If you've been holding out for a 5 megapixel PowerShot, your waiting is over, the G5 is a *very* worthy contender! Top
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Canon PowerShot G5 5 Megapixel Compact Camera
Strengths: Great resolution, great flexibility, sturdy, good colors, manual functions are relatively easy to use, the ability to zoom pictures in playback mode, I especially love the moveable LCD
Weakness: purple fringing, can use only a very limited number of 3rd party flash units, no live histogram, LCD could stand being a tad brighter, tripod mount is off-center, autofocus sluggish in low light
This is my first digital camera (I have done a fair bit of SLR photography over the past 30 years) so I cannot compare this with other digital cameras. I have noticed fairly strong purple fringing in shots where there is strong contrast (ie objects taken in front of a bright sky) but I have a hunch that this is a common problem with most other sub-$1000 digital cameras. I certainly cannot agree with previous comments that this camera is complicated or difficult to use. After going through the manual in about a day I have been able to use virtually every manual function without any problems. I find most of these very intuitive. I have also had no problems with the start-up / mode button, and I am a bit puzzled about how someone could actually "accidently" change the mode. Oh well... As I said, this is my first digital camera, and it could be that other digicams are even easier to use. As for me, I would recommend this unit unreservedly. Especially now that you can grab one up for under $500.
92% of readers found this review helpful. Did you find it helpful or unhelpful?