A640 or S5 IS

[kate_s]

Hi Guys :)
Im fairly new to this forum so sorry if I might be bringing up an issue that's been discussed in here before.........
Anyway I want to upgrade to a new camera and at this point I have narrowed my choice to those 2 models : PowerShot A640 and S5 IS.
I believe they are good cameras and offer a lot of features. I must admit I am more inclined towards A640 as the noise levels are very low at higher ISO and that's what one requires to shot good pics of moving things, especially little tots :)))) I have one myself :0)
The only minus is the lack of Image Stabilization, so I just wanted to know if any of you A640 users find it a problem????
When I went from Sony with IS to Samsung without it I found a lot of photos (still photos) to be blurred so Im quite careful about this feature....
Just wannna know what you think ....
I would be grateful for your constructive opinions :)

[berniej]

I like having IS on my S3 but still does not eliminate a significant # of blurred photos.I don't know if there is a new model much like the A710IS but that is one sweet camera.

[Paul79UF]

I've gotten really used to having IS on my SD700 and S3 (sold it..getting the S5 & 430ex flash).

It really does help get you more keepers. If you have rock solid hands then don't worry about IS.

[canon_A620]

The A640 does have optional image stabilization, a tripod :)

I just got a tripod for my A640 and it helps tremendously. It takes excellent pics, has lots of features and manual modes. So far I'm very impressed. My hunch is the next A6xx model will have IS.

[ooverdrive]

If you need that extra zoom and extended video recording,go for the S5.The
6xxx series are getting older now.May be its the time for a newer model with Is:)

[canon_A620]

I actually have an S3 on the way, couldn't justify the added cost of the S5. I was able to procure it for $221 through Dell with a $75 off coupon. Looking forward to its arrival on Monday.

On a side note, one rediculous feature on the S5 and A640 (and possibly others) is the SD slot being in the battery compartment? Come on now. This is a major PITA as the battery door isn't easy to close to begin with. I've resorted to transferring pics to my PC via the supplied USB cable for this reason. Seems this was Canon's intention with this feature.

I have to agree with ooverdrive, the A6 series is aging. Look to the A7 series if you don't want to go with the S5/S3. Don't get me wrong, the A640 is a great camera. But with lack of IS that are becoming common place in the newer canon cams, I'd look for another model.

[e_dawg]

Ummm, how about the A710 instead? ;) Image Stabilization is something you won't want to live without (if you were thinking of the A640).

I like my A710 better than the S3. The S3, I believe, is capable of better pics than the S5 if you use its CHDK firmware extension. By extension, I think the A710 is better than the S5 too.

[donato]

I personally find the S5 to have the greater 'fun-factor' - but certainly it depends on one's preferences.

[speaklightly]

According to the rumors over on dpreview's Canon Forum, we should expect an announcement from Canon between the 21st and the 30th, heralding some replacements for the following cameras:

the 30D
the G-7
the A-640
the A-710IS

I f you have been following the availability of A-710IS inventory, at least here in the USA, dealer inventory has been going down steadily, and the A-710IS is beginning to get hard to find in certain places.

Sarah Joyce

[e_dawg]

The A640 does have optional image stabilization, a tripod :)

I just got a tripod for my A640 and it helps tremendously. It takes excellent pics, has lots of features and manual modes. So far I'm very impressed. My hunch is the next A6xx model will have IS.

Yes, a tripod is the best IS there is. However, sometimes you just don't want to carry it around with you (and sometimes it is not appropriate in certain settings). I personally hate carrying around a tripod, so I will seek out cameras and lenses that have IS on them so as to allow me to go tripod free. It is such a liberating feeling ;)

[Glasstream15]

I have an XT which I may not live long enough to totally master all it can do, but I love what it can do and I can do with it. Sorta large and heavy though so I got an S5IS as a more casual camera. 12X zoom, 8MP (I would have really liked 6 or 7 at most on the small sensor but it is okay at 8), quick auto-focus, very fast (for a P&S) turn on and next shot times, works well with the EX 220 and EX 430 external flash and is small and light enough to be a go anywhere camera. I like the IS on it too.It's an extremely capable device and that 12X zoom gives me options a 4X or 6X would not. And digital zoom is not a good choice for extending the zoom ranges.

Personally, if you don't want to spring for the S5IS, you can get some great deals on the S3IS and it is a killer camera too. A few less bells and whistles and no hot shoe for external flash, but a fabulous alternative to the A series cameras at about half the price of the S5. And about 2 levels up in Canons heirarchy of camera models.

[Edro]

Good choices. Both will provide great images. I'm new here too and have been looking at those two as well as others (it seems you could read about cameras forever!). Sounds like taking pics of your little one is most important. I have small kids also. If you anything like me, there's little time for a tripod or set up...I need to grab the camera and start shooting. And if they're in motion (which seems like always) it means you, and the camera, are in motion too. IS does have an advantage but doesn't perform miracles. It's a nice feature but does have it's limits. Speaklightly posted this in another thread and is applicable here: "IS mainly reduces the blurring caused by slight tremors and hand movements when the camera is used at slow shutter speeds. IS will NOT stop the movement or jerky actions of your subject."

The 640 is more compact which is a plus as you are more likely to take it with you. The S5 is nice but it's bulkier; not to say the S5 is huge but compared to the 640 it's not as easy to throw in a bag. If you need the 12X zoom and don't mind the lack of portability, the S5 is a good choice. I love taking a camera most places with me as you never know what the kids are going to do.

I'd say check out the A710 as it has IS if that's important to you, but you may have ruled it out like I have because of: slower flash recycle and tilting LCD screen. Having that flash recycle faster means I may not miss the picture and the tilting LCD screen is hard to give up once you have used one.

To follow up what speaklightly posted in this thread: Canon may be releasing a new version of the 640 very soon. I'm waiting to see if that happens in the next few weeks. The 610/620 was announced Aug 22, '05, and the 630/640 was announced Aug 24, '06. I'm hoping in the next few weeks we'll see a 650/660. I'd love for it to have, in order of priority:
1. wider zoom
2. IS
3. Higher resolution LCD screen (200K+ pixels)

I'm guessing the new model will at least have more megapixels (not necessarily a good thing) and face recognition.
Happy hunting.