The Canon PowerShot S5 IS Digital Camera incorporates a professional quality 12x Optical Zoom Lens, 8.0 Megapixel CCD sensor and Canon's renowned optical Image Stabilizer technology. It also has video functionality rivaling that of dedicated digital video camcorders, together with a large 2.5" vari-angle LCD screen and widescreen (16:9) recording. This is all in a stylish and compact camera body.

Advanced photographers will also be particularly interested in this camera thanks to its improved and expanded manual exposure controls and the incorporation of a TTL Hot shoe which allows users to attach Canon Speedlite EX Series external flashes.

Powered by Canon's DIGIC III image processor, the S5 IS also incorporates the impressive Face Detection Technology to improve focus, exposure and flash output for people shots while the in-Camera Red-Eye Correction feature effectively solves red-eye problems in captured photos. An increased sensitivity range of ISO 80-1600 complements the optical IS system for extended low light performance.

• 8.0 Megapixel Resolution

With 8.0 Megapixels of imaging power, the PowerShot S5 IS delivers stunning detail and clarity, sufficient to produce oversized prints and also provides the freedom to enlarge any section of an image and crop to your exact needs.

• Canon 12x Optical Zoom Lens

The impressively long 12x Optical Zoom lens in the PowerShot S5 IS incorporates the same leading technologies used in Canon's professional SLR lenses including an Ultra-Sonic Motor (USM) drive to provide rapid and near-silent zoom and AF operation. Furthermore, the 4x Digital Zoom brings combined zooming power all the way to 48x for superb detail at sporting events, school concerts and more.

• Optical Image Stabilizer

Canon's lens shift-type optical Image Stabilizer counteracts the camera shake caused by slight hand movements. Vibration sensors detect the angle and speed of movement and send this information to a processor, allowing the camera to compensate for it. This adds stability to hand-held, telephoto or moving shots and enables shooting at shutter speeds of up to three stops slower with no noticeable increase in image blur.

• High ISO Sensitivity

The PowerShot S5 IS features a maximum ISO of 1600 and High ISO Auto settings that reduce the effects of camera shake and sharpen subjects in low-light situations, giving you greater flexibility for shooting.

• 9-Point AiAF with FlexiZone AF/AE

Canon's 9-point AiAF (Artificial Intelligence Auto Focus) automatically scans and selects subjects from a set of nine focusing areas across the scene. This ensures accurately focused images even when subjects are not in the centre of the frame. FlexiZone AF/AE lets users manually select the focus point from almost any point in the frame by moving the auto focus window in the viewfinder. Exposure is linked to the focus point to ensure that the chosen subject is accurately focused and exposed.

• DIGIC III Image Processor with iSAPS Technology

Canon's DIGIC III Image Processor is designed to improve processing speed and image quality, so DIGIC III provides markedly faster startup, autofocus and playback, plus it assures that every image is more colorfully vibrant. iSAPS Technology is an entirely original scene-recognition technology developed for digital cameras by Canon. Using an internal database of thousands of different photos, iSAPS works with the fast DIGIC III Image Processor to improve focus speed and accuracy, as well as exposure and white balance.

• Face Detection Technology

The DIGIC III processor in the PowerShot S5 IS features Face Detection AF/AE, which finds multiple faces in the frame and sets the most suitable focus point when the shutter button is pressed halfway. In addition, Face Detection FE adjusts the flash based on a person's face on the screen. Exposure and flash are then controlled to ensure proper illumination of both the faces and the overall scene, eliminating the common problem of darkened or overexposed faces.

• In-camera Red-eye Correction

Red-eye Correction detects and automatically corrects red-eye during playback for both regular and flash photography. In unusual cases where red-eye is not automatically detected, it can easily be corrected manually during playback mode.

• Record Movies with Stereo Sound

With a highly flexible movie mode, you can create the movie that's perfect for any application. Select from VGA (640 x 480 pixels) with frame rates of 30 fps and 30 fps LP, also QVGA (320 x 240 pixels) with frame rates of 60 fps and 30 fps for recording up to 1 hour or 4GB. Furthermore, with the S5 IS, seamless movie shooting is easy - just press the Movie Button - there is no need to use camera menus to switch shooting modes.

• Wide Range of Shooting Modes

Twenty-two shooting modes help deliver excellent results in almost any situation. Preset Special Scene modes assist with picture taking in tricky lighting conditions, including Indoor, Beach and Snow. For creative experimentation, Color Accent and Color Swap modes enable dramatic color effects to be applied to images and movies direct from the camera - you can keep one color and change the rest to black and white with Color Accent, or exchange one color for another with Color Swap. The cameras also feature My Colors photo effects for additional in-camera color customization.

• Shoot and View Widescreen Images

The PowerShot S5 IS features a Widescreen mode (2816 x 1584 recording pixels) for capturing still images in 16:9 format - perfect for viewing images on widescreen television or printing wide (10 x 20cm) photos with a SELPHY Compact Photo Printer

• Compatible with Auxiliary Lenses and Canon Speedlite Flashes

The PowerShot S5 IS is compatible with many shooting accessories, not only wide and tele converter lenses (requires lens adapter - sold separately), but it is also compatible with Speedlite EX series Flash Units. By using Speedlites, the camera is able to have extra functions such as autoflash metering, FE lock and Flash exposure compensation, continuous shooting with external flash and more to provide for advanced creative effects and greatly enhances your ability to achieve professional-quality results. Plus flash intensity and other settings are easily accessed and controlled from the camera's LCD screen.

• High-resolution 2.5" Vari-angle LCD

The camera's 2.5-inch Vari-angle LCD screen gives you the big picture, whether you're shooting, reviewing or showing off your images. This high-resolution screen offers a crisp, clear picture to make shooting, playback and using the camera's menu functions especially convenient, it also features Night Display for easy viewing in low light. The Display is also capable of being flipped out and rotates around to make framing your shots easy - regardless of the angle you are shooting at.

• Convenient AA-size Batteries

AA-size batteries can be purchased at any store so you don't need to worry about running out of batteries or recharging batteries - simply get new ones locally.

• USB 2.0 Interface

The PowerShot S5 IS supports the USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) standard, so you'll enjoy the highest possible data transfer speeds when using a USB 2.0 compatible computer.

• Easy, Flexible Direct Printing Options

The Print/Share button makes direct printing easier than ever. Simply connect the camera to a Canon Direct Photo Printer or PictBridge supported printer, press the Print/Share button and print. The Direct Print feature allows for image preview and editing (including cropping) on the camera when connected to a compatible printer. Also use the Print/Share button to transfer images directly to a computer (Windows).