Canon PowerShot® S5 IS Digital Camera

Pros: The Zoom is the best for a Semi Pro Camera.
Cons: It cannot be exchange by other Lens easily but the overall product was the best

The camera it self was amazing, when i was using the Cam. It was much better than a Canon S3 IS, The Megazoom is perfect for capturing a Monkey eating Eagle feeding on a Dead snake.

Pros: Good Zoom Good Picture Quality Wonderful Movie Mode
Cons: The shot to shot speed and the flash recycle time are rather slow.

If you have less than $300 and want to buy a nice camera (not just those flaky point and shoots), the S5 is defiantly your best choice. Here's why

Let's start out with the features. First, the megapixel-age. The camera is 8 MP (which is higher than most cameras on the market). This means you can print up to 30x40 inch photos without them appearing grainy.

However the megapixels is not the only thing a camera needs. The S5 has an amazing optical zoom. A 12x optical zoom to be exact! Combined with the digital zoom you can get up to 48x closer with the S5 (you should use this in movies, since it does not lose quality).T

The S5 also has tons of features such as a Red-Eye Correction, face detection, etc.

The Movie Mode is amazing. You can zoom while taking the video and even take pictures while taking the video.

Pros: Great beginner camera. Professional Look.
Cons: Costly for a 3 megapixel camera; Lens cover sucks

I love this Camera. Bought it simply b/c of Canon name and it's professional look. Takes great pictures, fairly lightweight, and the Image Stabilizer works like a charm. I am not pro photographer by no means, but I would highly recommend this for beginners. I actually plan to by the newer S2 IS model out now. The lens cover sucks and doesn't stay on half the time, very annoying.

Pros: Simple point and shoot in AUTO, zoom and image stabilization fantastic.
Cons: no simple viewer brightness control like my old Kodak DC240

Replacing my trusty Kodak DC240 was not a simple process, I finally decided on the Canon S1 IS on the basis that a 10x optical zoom was of more use than extra mega pixels.

On unpacking the box I was at first overwhelmed by the proliferation of buttons and setting options, however after 30 minutes or so it became clear that this camera is very flexible and simple point and shoot on AUTO setting is fine for most situations.

The zoom lense is fantastic, the image stabilization really works and the camera is large enough to provide a firm hold.

Pros: Multi-featured, lightweight, balanced, point and shoot, B&W, sienna, grain, manual override, stop/slow action,panorama.
Cons: Cheap lens cap, limited lenses, hair trigger telephoto difficulty in framing in the field.

I have used this camera to sequentially document events at my home following the hurricanes, animal action shots, panorama shots, and publicity shots for use in the newspaper. It was a gift from a friend that knew good picture quality and camera features for point and shoot or advanced uses. I love the feel of it in my hands, balanced, lightweight for the extensive features it has. Easy to upload to the computer using the Flash Card directly in the printer. with no extra plugs or cords needed to clutter or lose. Pretty decent sound quality when in record mode.

Pros: nice camera, good clear pics
Cons: SLOW!! bulky, eats batteries, lens cap will get lost

I did alot of research before buying a camera, and this just didn't cut it. It is a neat little camera, but has very very slow response time. What you THINK you are taking a pic of you are NOT. You get about a 2 second delay, and then the moment is gone! I was very displeased about that. Also the LCD is very small, but the camera is a nice one. I went with the Panasonic Lumix FZ15 instead, it is AWESOME and much faster response time. Can't beat it!