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The Canon PowerShot SD500 ( also known as the IXUS 500 in Asia/Europe and the IXY Digital 500 in Japan) has a 5 megapixel CCD sensor (the same one as in the powershot S50 and G5 models). This is the first IXUS model to reach the 5 megapixel mark.
UK Readers Buy the Canon Ixus 500 here
It also has a 3x optical zoom lens (f/2.8-4.0) which features a seven-element design and macro capable of shooting as close as 2 inches. The 1.5 inch LCD is capable of zooming 10x in playback mode.
The S500's continuous burst mode captures images at up to 2.2 frames per second at full resolution. It shoots at shutter speeds as fast as 1/2000 of a second.
The Powershot S500's dimensions are 3.4 x 2.2 x 1.1 inches and it weights 6.5 ounces.
Steve's Digicams Review of the S500 rates the camera highly saying:
'The S500 is a perfect choice for anyone who needs or wants a very compact and highly durable camera. Canon was the first to make these small but fully functional digicams and continues to improve them with each new generation. The S500 makes an excellent camera for tourist, buisness users, and extreme sports enthusiasts. If your vacation is at the beach or in the tropics you might want to consider purchasing the underwater case, it's rated for 130 feet depths. The u/w case also allows the camera to be used safely in any weather condition. Because the S500 fits in almost any size pocket, it will always be ready to capture those all-important shots.'
Digital Camera HQ gives the Powershot S500 a rating of 4.45 stars out of 5.
Megapixel gives the S500 a rating of 8.6 for functionality and 9.4 for photographic Qualities.
Imaging Resource writes - 'The PowerShot S500 breaks new ground with a larger, 5.0-megapixel CCD. The S500 carries over other improvements that first appeared in the PowerShot S400, including a Center-Weighted metering mode option, faster maximum shutter speed (1/2,000 second), and improved macro capabilities, adding a print share button. With the same great user interface common to Canon cameras and point-and-shoot operation driven by their dedicated image processors, the S500 is sure to please a host of consumers.
'
Digital Review compares the Canon Powershot S500 with the Nikon Coolpix 5200
CNET gives the powershot S500 a rating of 'Good' scoring it at 7.4 out of a possible 10.
PC Magazine writes - 'The Canon PowerShot S500 Digital Elph is easy to slip in a pocket, like an ultracompact, but this 5-megapixel 3X optical zoom camera brings a lot more shooting power with it. Sharp pictures and excellent battery life make this camera a solid choice.'
Hardware Zone reviews the Canon IXUS 500 and gives it a rating of 4.5 stars. They write - 'The DIGITAL IXUS 500, has maintained and improved on the high standards set by its predecessors. The same five-MegaPixel CCD that made its appearance in Canon's other hotselling prosumer camera, the G5, is being used here. Other than this 'heart', the 'brain' in this camera is the dedicated DIGIC processor. To refresh your memory, this same DIGIC processor is the one that was featured in the higher-end cameras such as the EOS 10D Digital SLR and the Powershot Pro1 that we have recently reviewed. Many things come into play when a shot is taken, from exposures to focusing, right down to color rendering and various image adjustments. The amount of algorithms being run are both enormous and complex. With the DIGIC processor, these operations are carried out more efficiently and accurately. And the iSAPS technology uses the environmental data to predict the most likely scene and makes adjustments accordingly.'
Byte Sector reviewed the Canon Powershot S500 and writes 'The ELPH series of cameras are all fairly small units that fit easily in any pocket when turned off. The power button is well recessed, so it is very unlikely that it will accidentally turn itself on. The matte silver finish looks good, but can be scratched if the camera is not taken care of. A case is highly recommended. The camera is easy to hold, and like all cameras, is made for right handed people. There are well placed grips for your hands, and controls are easy to reach, and manipulate. The camera is equipped with a 1.5 inch LCD screen, which provides good detail and clarity, but is still small by comparison to other cameras in its price range.'
DigiCam Review reviews the Canon Digital IXUS 500 and writes - 'The Canon Digital IXUS 500 is a compact 5 megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom lens and a small 1.5“ screen. Even though the camera is nearly a year old, I can imagine some people looking back at this camera as a classic, if there can be such a thing in the digital camera world. The camera records limited length 15fps videos with sound. It is easy to use, and produces very good images with very good colour and detail. It is quick, with an okay switch on time, good focus time and shutter response time, the continuous shooting mode is very good, as it lets you use the flash with no slow-down. For around £239 / $329 this compact and stylish camera is fairly expensive when compared to other cameras, however, it's stylish, fits very easily into pockets, produces very good images, and has a great macro mode. The only things that let this camera down are the limited video length and small screen.'
Design Technica reviews the Canon PowerShot SD500 and writes - 'Canon wins very high marks with this tiny camera. Picture quality is excellent, the form factor is terrific but not museum quality. One of the ELPH's few negatives is the proprietary lithium ion battery that really doesn't have the juice to keep you shooting for a day. A spare is mandatory as is a high-speed SD card. The LCD screen isn't the best in the world but it's more than adequate. Beyond that, you'll be shooting like crazy and since it's so small you'll take it everywhere. And that's what photography is all about.'
More details and specs on the Canon Powershot S500 Digital ELPH (IXUS 500) can be found at:
- Steve's Digicams - Canon PowerShot S500 Digital ELPH REVIEW
- Imaging Resource - Canon Powershot SD500 (IXUS 500)
- DP Review - Powershot S500 Digital ELPH (IXUS 500)
- Newstream - New ELPH/IXUS Models
- DC Resource - Canon Powershot S500
- Danish Review of S500
- Photoexels - Canon Powershot S500 Digital Elph Review
- CNET S500 Review
- IT Reviews - Canon IXUS 500
Following is a press release announcing the arrival of the Canon Powershot S500 Digital ELPH and two other Digital ELPHs.
Press Release
Amstelveen, The Netherlands, 9 February, 2004. Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today announces the release of three new Digital IXUS cameras. This takes to a total of 30 the number of IXUS models released since 1996.
The range release includes a new flagship of the Digital IXUS fleet, the 5.0 Megapixel Digital IXUS 500. The 4.0 Megapixel Digital IXUS 430 replaces the previous top of the line Digital IXUS 400, while the 3.2 Megapixel Digital IXUS IIs takes over from the popular Digital IXUS II.
Launched to popular and critical acclaim in May 1996, the original stainless steel IXUS APS camera triggered an avalanche success. Canon has stuck with IXUS ever since, never straying from the IXUS philosophy of simplicity and beauty that feels great in the hands. Released in May 2000, the first Digital IXUS marked the beginning of a string of successes for Canon in the style-conscious digital compact segment.
"This new range celebrates eight stylish IXUS years," said Mogens Jensen, Head of Canon Consumer Imaging Europe. "Unmistakably IXUS, these new cameras bring together uncompromising build quality and an abundance of relevant technologies in a triumph of miniaturisation and design".
All metal bodies
Still referenced in the new digital models is original IXUS creator Yasushi Shiotani's distinctive 'box and circle' design, now copied unashamedly by many other camera manufacturers. All three new cameras are protected with superbly finished stainless steel bodies with the traditional silky IXUS feel. The new 'Silver White' finish of the Digital IXUS IIs is so called since it contains traces of silver, while a distinguishing gold ring circling the lens barrel of the Digital IXUS 500 sets it apart from other models.
Image capture
Images taken with the 5.0 Megapixel Digital IXUS 500 and 4.0 Megapixel Digital IXUS 430 can be printed up to A3 size without image quality degradation. Both the Digital IXUS 500 and Digital IXUS 430 include a 3.0x optical zoom, with the Digital IXUS IIs featuring 2.0 optical zoom. Optical zoom ensures the full sensor size is employed when closing in on a subject, so pictures taken with the zoom do not suffer from image degradation. All cameras feature 9-point Artificial Intelligence Auto Focus (AiAF) for fast and sharp images, even with off-centre subjects.
Superb images, no waiting
Each of the three models feature the same dedicated DIGIC processor now installed across all Canon cameras up to the EOS 10D Digital SLR and professional series PowerShot Pro1. DIGIC delivers superb colour rendering and image quality, handling all the complex algorithms required to make colours brighter, images sharper and focusing crisper. It does this with unrivalled speed and efficiency, making for highly responsive cameras and eliminating the phenomena of staring at the back of the camera waiting for an image to display. iSAPS technology uses camera settings and environmental data to predict the most likely scene and makes adjustments accordingly.
Moving pictures
Each camera features 3-minute QVGA or QQVGA movie clips with sound recording, full playback and in-camera cutting and editing. Digital IXUS 500 and Digital IXUS IIs can also capture high-resolution VGA movie clip up to 30 seconds at single recording. When connected to any Canon compact photo printer, all models include 'Movie Print' mode. This extracts a succession of up to 63 individual and evenly spaced movie clip frames from any given movie clip and automatically prints them as thumbnails on a single sheet of postcard size paper (100 x 148 mm). This is ideal for freezing and analysing or admiring action sequences such as a golf swing. An “ID Photo Print” function prints a number of durable passport photograph size images (of selectable height and width) to a single sheet.
Simple photo printing and PC connection
The cameras all include Canon's new Print/Share button. When connected via USB cable to any PictBridge or Direct Print compatible photo printer or Windows PC, a blue light on the Print/Share button switches on to indicate successful connection. Pushing the button when lit instigates a print of the currently displayed image (based on the connected printer's default settings) or an automatic transfer of images to the PC . The camera transfers all images, all images not yet transferred, or all images marked for transfer, depending on the user setting selected in the camera's set up options.
No fuss online sharing
All new IXUS cameras come with a full membership to CANON iMAGE GATEWAY, a personal online photo gallery with 100MB of free online space for storing and sharing favourite albums. CANON iMAGE GATEWAY can also be used to personalise your camera with start-up image and sound-effect downloads.
Options to shoot anywhere
For diving, surfing and skiing, optional waterproof cases are available, giving the cameras full protection to a depth of 40 metres. Optional car battery adaptors are available for the Digital IXUS 500 and Digital IXUS 430, while extra power adaptors and optional soft cases are available for all models.
Software
Software supplied includes browsing and printing software ZoomBrowser EX (Windows) and ImageBrowser (Mac). Other software includes PhotoStitch, plus photo and movie manipulation software ArcSoft PhotoStudio and VideoImpression. Drivers include TWAIN (Windows 98/2000) and WIA (Windows Me). Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) support allows the camera to connect to any Windows XP and Mac OS X (v10.1/v10.2) system without the requirement for a driver installation.
Posted by Darren in our Canon category on February 10, 2004