Home / Reviews / Digital Photography / Digital Cameras

Canon PowerShot S500

7.7 7.7 10

22 Reviews | About the ZDNet Score

Though the S500 is a respectable pocket snapshot camera, its performance and its feature set make it seem creaky next to the competition.

Reviews

  • 6.2

    CNET Review

    April 4, 2004 | 8:10 PM PDT

    The Good: Attractive and functional design; pleasing photos.

    The Bad: Small LCD; blur on the frame's left side.

    The Bottom Line: Though the S500 is a respectable pocket snapshot camera, its performance and its feature set make it seem creaky next to the competition.

    Read the full review

  • 7.6

    alaTest.com

    May 21, 2012 | 12:00 AM PDT

    Review Summary: alaTest has collected and analyzed 1246 reviews of Canon PowerShot S500 / Digital IXUS 500 / IXY Digital 500 from international magazines and websites.

    The Verdict: Experts rate this product 77/100 and users 82/100. Comparing these reviews to 668630 other Digital Compact Cameras reviews gives this product an overall alaScore 76/100 = Good.

    Read the full review

  • No Rating

    ilikecameras.com

    August 20, 2006 | 12:00 AM PDT

    Review Summary: A great low priced camera with a lot of useful features.

    Read the full review

  • No Rating

    digicamreview.co.uk

    February 20, 2005 | 12:00 AM PST

    Review Summary: Announced on the 9th Feb 2004 - the Canon Digital IXUS 500, also known as Canon PowerShot S500 and the IXY Digital 500, is available for £239 / $329 - the Canon Digital IXUS 500 is a compact 5 megapixel digital camera, with a 3x optical zoom lens...

    The Verdict: 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...

    Read the full review

  • No Rating

    photoreview.com.au

    October 1, 2004 | 12:00 AM PDT

    Review Summary: Canon's Digital Ixus 500 has the same compact, stainless steel body and 3x zoom lens as earlier models, with a new Print/Share button that allows image files to be downloaded directly to a Canon Direct or PictBridge-enabled photo printer, or a PC. Lens...

    The Verdict: Canon's Digital Ixus 500 has the same compact, stainless steel body and 3x zoom lens as earlier models, with a new Print/Share button that allows image files to be downloaded directly to a Canon Direct or PictBridge-enabled photo printer, or a PC. Lens...

    Read the full review

  • No Rating

    steves-digicams.com

    September 3, 2004 | 12:00 AM PDT

    Review Summary: The PowerShot S500 features an ultra-compact and fast (f/2.8-4.9) 3x (36-108mm equivalent) optical zoom lens. The lens - with its seven-element design - also offers a wide Autofocus range from as close as two inches (in macro mode) to infinity. Canon...

    The Verdict: For taking pictures on the fly, the S500 offers a continuous burst mode that captures up to 2.2 frames per second at full resolution. The PowerShot S500 also has a shutter speed that extends to a fast 1/2000 of a second and features a built in flash...

    Read the full review

  • 7.6

    bytesector.com

    July 25, 2004 | 12:00 AM PDT

    Review Summary: Canon's digital ELPH series of compact cameras has proven popular, and the S500 is the new 5.0 mega pixel addition to this fine line of cameras. This camera is very compact, well designed, and easy to use. Unlike the other cameras in its line, the S500...

    The Verdict: The S500 is a strong top of the line camera from the digital ELPH series.

    Read the full review

  • 7.3

    digitalcamerainfo.com

    July 18, 2004 | 12:00 AM PDT

    Review Summary: The Canon PowerShot S500, with its compact yet solid design, is poised to perform. With Canon's legendary optics, including a 7.4mm-22.2mm 3x optical zoom lens, and a 5 Megapixel imager (the same as on the PowerShot G5), the Canon PowerShot S500 is a grea

    The Verdict: The Canon PowerShot S500 is a great camera for a decent price. With the Canon optics on board, as well as a 5 megapixel CCD imager, it's hard to go too wrong in this price point.

    Read the full review

  • No Rating

    engadget.com

    June 25, 2004 | 12:00 AM PDT

    Review Summary: HardwareZone has a review of the IXUS 500, Canon's latest 5.0 megapixel digital camera, which features the same 1/1.8-inch CCD imaging sensor found in the Canon G5 and the DIGIC processor found in the EOS 10D Digital SLR and Powershot Pro1. Besides...

    Read the full review

  • 9.0

    hardwarezone.com

    June 23, 2004 | 12:00 AM PDT

    Review Summary: Looking for a compact digital camera? The stylish Canon DIGITAL IXUS 500 is not a just a pretty-looking compact, as it also packed a five-MegaPixel imager. Coupled that with Canon's DIGIC processor, this camera is set to become a hot favorite in the...

    Read the full review

  • No Rating

    imaging-resource.com

    June 5, 2004 | 12:00 AM PDT

    Review Summary: The quality and versatility of the ELPH series has impressed me from the start, and the 5.0-megapixel S500 doesn't disappoint. The camera's tiny size makes it a travel worthy companion, and the range of features give the camera an edge over many...

    The Verdict: The Canon PowerShot S500 is the latest in the highly popular line of "Digital ELPH cameras from Canon. Canon's name is one of the few needing no introduction in the world of photography: Ask a photographer, be they professional or amateur, to name the...

    Read the full review

Price Range: $699.96 - $699.96

  • Manufacturer: Canon
  • Part number: 9342A001

General

  • Product Type
    Digital camera - Compact
  • Resolution
    5 megapixels
  • Optical Sensor Type
    CCD
  • Total Pixels
    5,300,000 pixels
  • Effective Sensor Resolution
    5,000,000 pixels
  • Optical Sensor Size
    1/1.8"
  • Digital Zoom
    4.1 x
  • Auto Focus
    TTL contrast detection
  • Auto Focus Points (Zones) Qty
    9
  • Digital Video Format
    AVI
  • Image Recording Format
    JPEG
  • AV Interfaces
    Composite video

Exposure & White Balance

  • Light Sensitivity
    ISO 100, ISO 200, ISO 50, ISO 400
  • Exposure Metering
    Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot
  • Exposure Modes
    Program, Automatic
  • Shooting Programs
    Stitch assist, Macro, Landscape
  • Special Effects
    Vivid, Low Sharpening, Black & White, Sepia, Neutral, Custom Effect
  • White Balance
    Automatic, Presets, Custom
  • White Balance Presets
    Daylight, Tungsten light, Fluorescent, Cloudy, Fluorescent light (daylight)
  • Max Shutter Speed
    1/2000 sec
  • Min Shutter Speed
    15 sec
  • Exposure Compensation
    ±2 EV range, in 1/3 EV steps

Lens System

  • Type
    3 x x Zoom lens - 7.4 mm - 22.2 mm - F/2.8-4.9
  • Focal Length Equivalent to 35mm Camera
    36 - 108 mm
  • Focus Adjustment
    Automatic
  • Min Focus Range
    18.1 in
  • Macro Focus Range
    2 in - 18 in
  • Zoom Adjustment
    Motorized drive
  • Lens Construction
    5 groups / 7 elements
  • Features
    Aspherical lens, Built-in lens shield

Camera Flash

  • Camera Flash
    Built-in flash
  • Flash Modes
    Fill-in mode, Slow synchro, Auto mode, Flash OFF mode, Red-eye reduction
  • Features
    AF illuminator
  • Effective Flash Range
    1 ft - 11.5 ft

Additional Features

  • Continuous Shooting Speed
    2.2 frames per second, 1.5 frames per second
  • Self Timer Delay
    2 sec, 10 sec
  • Additional Features
    Digital image rotation, Display brightness control, Audio recording, Date/time stamp, DPOF support, RGB primary color filter, Built-in speaker, Auto power save, Camera orientation detection, PictBridge support

Display

  • Type
    1.5 in LCD display
  • Display Features
    Built-in

Connections

  • Connector Type
    1 x USB, 1 x Composite video/audio output
  • Memory Card Slot
    CompactFlash Card

Viewfinder

  • Viewfinder Type
    Optical - Real-image zoom

System Requirements for PC Connection

  • Operating System Support
    MS Windows 98 SE, MS Windows 98, MS Windows XP, MS Windows 2000, Apple Mac OS X 10.2, Apple Mac OS X 10.1, Apple Mac OS 9.2, MS Windows ME, Apple Mac OS 9
  • Peripheral Devices
    USB port
  • System Requirements Details
    Windows 98/98SE/2000/ME - Pentium, Windows XP - Pentium, MacOS 9.0 - 9.2 - PowerPC, MacOS X 10.1 - 10.2.x - PowerPC

Miscellaneous

  • Included Accessories
    Battery charger, USB cable, Wrist strap, Audio / video cable
  • Body Material
    Stainless steel

Software

  • Software
    ArcSoft VideoImpression, Canon ZoomBrowser EX, Canon PhotoStitch, Drivers & Utilities, Canon ImageBrowser, ArcSoft PhotoImpression

Battery

  • Supported Battery
    1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery - 840 mAh ( Included )

Memory / Storage

  • Supported Memory Cards
    CompactFlash
  • Included Memory Card
    32 MB CompactFlash Card
  • Image Storage
    Super-fine JPEG 2592 x 1944 : 11 VA - With 32MB card, Fine JPEG 2592 x 1944 : 21 VA - With 32MB card, Normal JPEG 2592 x 1944 : 43 VA - With 32MB card, Super-fine JPEG 2048 x 1536 : 18 VA - With 32MB card, Fine JPEG 2048 x 1536 : 33 VA - With 32MB card, Normal JPEG 2048 x 1536 : 67 VA - With 32MB card, Super-fine JPEG 1600 x 1200 : 30 VA - With 32MB card, Fine JPEG 1600 x 1200 : 54 VA - With 32MB card, Normal JPEG 1600 x 1200 : 108 VA - With 32MB card, Super-fine JPEG 640 x 480 : 120 VA - With 32MB card, Fine JPEG 640 x 480 : 196 VA - With 32MB card, Normal JPEG 640 x 480 : 337 VA - With 32MB card
  • Video Capture
    AVI - 320 x 240 - 180 sec - Max clip duration, AVI - 160 x 120 - 180 sec - Max clip duration, AVI - 640 x 480 - 46 sec - With 32MB card, AVI - 320 x 240 - 91 sec - With 32MB card, AVI - 160 x 120 - 242 sec - With 32MB card

Dimensions & Weight

  • Width
    3.4 in
  • Depth
    1.1 in
  • Height
    2.2 in
  • Weight
    0.4 lbs

Environmental Parameters

  • Min Operating Temperature
    32 °F
  • Max Operating Temperature
    104 °F

Videos

Photos

Add a User Opinion!

0
Formatting +
BB Codes - Note: HTML is not supported in forums
  • [b] Bold [/b]
  • [i] Italic [/i]
  • [u] Underline [/u]
  • [s] Strikethrough [/s]
  • [q] "Quote" [/q]
  • [ol][*] 1. Ordered List [/ol]
  • [ul][*] · Unordered List [/ul]
  • [pre] Preformat [/pre]
  • [quote] "Blockquote" [/quote]

Buying Choices

Canon PowerShot S500 from 1 stores:

Lowest Price: $699.96

Amazon.com $29.13 | In stock: yes | Shop Now
ie8 fix

Buying Choices

Canon PowerShot S500 from 2 stores:

Lowest Price: $699.96

See prices from 2 stores

The best of ZDNet, delivered

ZDNet Newsletters

Get the best of ZDNet delivered straight to your inbox

Facebook Activity

ie8 fix
ie8 fix