What do you guys suggest S3IS or S5IS

[sid369]

As the title says, I am noob in terms of camera and want to make an informed decision before I buy anything. So I thought the experts here could help me. Should I buy the S3IS or the S5IS.

what I need is to be able to get great pictures, both indoors and outdoors, I would like to know what you guys prefer and why?

[SpecialK]

Try a search of threads as this has been posted many times.

Also, this site may be of help.
http://www.s3users.com/

In a nutshell, if you plan on using flash a lot, get the S5, otherwise, S3.

[Setter Dog]

I went through the same process and became convinced that either camera would be fine. I take a lot of video so the Canon was the only long zoom I considered.

Not sure if the S3 will accept the SDHC cards or not, the S5 will.

I chose the S5 because I like the larger LCD screen primarily. I don't think you'd go wrong with either camera.

[SpecialK]

Not sure if the S3 will accept the SDHC cards or not, the S5 will.

It is an undocumented feature by Canon, but those cards work fine.

[talkingdog]

I have the S3 and it was a good camera outside where there is allot of light. If you are planning on using it indoors I would get the S5 because of the hotshoe. The onboard flash is almost useless except for fill. Most backgrounds will be very dark. not sure if the 8meg sensor will have more noise, the 6m had plenty at ISO 400.I think the S5 has a better movie mode, can stay on longer.
I just upgraded to a dslr for my indoor shooting,kept the s3 for movie mode and walk around.

The larger lcd would be nice it is very small on the s3, hard to see if image well

[SpecialK]

backgrounds will be very dark.

Use a longer shutter speed if possible to make it less dark.

not sure if the 8meg sensor will have more noise, the 6m had plenty at ISO 400.

More pixels on sensor ---> more noise.

I think the S5 has a better movie mode, can stay on longer.

Mode is the same, though longer on S5. You can save 4 x 1 meg clips on a 4gb card, for example. And it is easy enough to join them. Really, how many movies are interesting for the whole length, anyway?

[talkingdog]

I do know how to work the shutter speed. even with longer shutter times the background is still to dark for me with the flash. My hand isn't real steady so I can not go real long on shutter time. Shooting indoors without flash,the lens is just to slow to avoid motion blur with allot of movement, such as kids on a stage.

As far as the movie mode goes I thought the S5 could go up to 1 hour(4 gigs). I have had times when there wasn't a good time to stop, wait for buffer and restart the movie mode. Guess it is the same as the S3 1 gig at a time. I know the S3 isn't suppose to replace a movie camera but the S5 could almost do so.

I would get the S5 just for the larger LCD,face recognition, digic III processor (may help with the noise at higher ISO) and hot shoe for the external flash.

If the price isn't much different I would go for the S5.

K I'm not bashing the S3, just stating what I would if I were comparing those to models. I am still happy with the S3 as it is much easier to carry than my 40D. Both have there place.