The
PowerShot S50 is Canon's first 5 megapixel camera. The latest
in a series of cameras (S30,
S40, S45)
that share the same body design, the S50 remains true to its heritage.
The
S50 is powered on by sliding back the metal barrier that protects its
lens, viewfinder and AF assist lamp. The design is smooth, avoids sharp
edges or corners, and is simple but quite elegant.
and Mode Dial.
The
Mode Dial is embedded, and designed to be rotated with the thumb from
the back of the camera. The shutter release is a standard 2-stage system,
with AF and AE when held at midcourse.
The
Zoom control — wide angle when pushed to the left and telephoto
when pulled to the right — also provides for zooming in and out
of a photo that is displayed on the screen.
The
Mode Dial of the PowerShot S50 has the additional setting first encountered
on the S45, the C Mode, bringing the total number of options on the dial
to thirteen:
Full
Auto: makes the S50 a very easy to use point and shoot, only
the Drive mode, or the image size and quality can be adjusted.
Program
Mode: the S50 automatically selects the aperture and shutter
speed, but all other controls are accessible.
Portrait
Mode: selects as wide an aperture as possible to blur the background.
Auto ISO is used.
Shutter
Priority Mode: camera sets the aperture to correspond to a user-selected
shutter speed. All other controls are accessible.
Landscape
Mode: selects a smaller aperture to increase sharpness from
foreground to background. Auto ISO is used.
Aperture
Priority Mode: camera sets the shutter speed appropriate for
a user-selected aperture. All other controls are accessible.
Night
Scene Mode: used to photograph people in front of night scenery.
This mode sets the flash to slow synch (1st curtain) and the ISO
is controlled by the camera.
Manual
Mode: complete control over the camera (aperture and shutter
speed) including all settings.
Fast
Shutter Mode: intended to capture action, this mode gives preference
to a high shutter speed and uses Auto ISO.
Custom
Settings Mode: using the P, Tv, Av, or
M modes, the settings currently in use can be saved through
a Menu option. These settings can then be automatically recalled
when the Mode Dial is turned to the C position.
Slow
Shutter Mode: can be used to blur movement such as running water.
The mode gives preference to a slow shutter speed and uses Auto
ISO.
Stitch
Assist Mode: this mode allows shooting a series of images that
will be stitched together later using PhotoStitch, software included
with the S50.
Movie
Mode: the S50 is capable of recording video clips with sound,
lasting up to 3 minutes. Two frame sizes are available, 320 x 240
pixel, or 160 x 120 pixel.
All other
controls are on the back of the S50. Starting first at the upper right,
is the Multicontroller. It is used principally to navigate the
menu system of the camera, but also to confirm certain menu choices and
select a focus point
[] .
The Playback
mode of the S50 is accessed with a switch []
located just below the Mode Dial. Playback can be started either with
the lens cover closed and the camera Off, or while the camera is in Recording
mode.
On the left of the optical viewfinder, the S50 provides 2 other buttons,
both of which have distinct functions based on whether the camera is in
Recording or Playback mode. Starting on the
left, the end button controls:
Flash Modes: Auto, Red-eye Reduction Auto, Forced On with
Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, and Forced Off. (Slow Synchro is selected
in the Menu).
while
in Playback, this button starts the Index display (thumbnails)
showing 9 images per screen.
The button closest to
the optical viewfinder is used for:
Macro mode: from 10cm (3.9 in.) in wide angle and 30cm (11.8
in.) at the maximum telephoto to infinity.
While
in Playback, this button is to Jump from one Index screen
to the next, each composed of 9 photos. If a single image is displayed
on the screen, the button jumps 10 images at a time.
The
S50 is equipped with a 1.8 inch LCD monitor, a rare feature with
very compact cameras such as this one, and which tend to have 1.5 inch
screens. The
LCD monitor is flanked by buttons on both sides, 3 on the left and 2
on the right. The left side buttons provide controls that are photo
related:
The Function button calls up a special menu that is overlaid
on the left side of the screen. It provides up to 9 photo-specific
settings depending on the mode in use. (See the Characteristics
section for an overview of this menu).
The
MF button engages the manual focus in the Record modes, and
is used to Delete images in Playback.
The
Metering button provides access to the metering system: Evaluative,
Centre-weighted and Spot. In Playback, the button serves to attach
a voice annotation that can be up to 60 seconds long.
On the right side of the monitor, the upper Menu button calls up
the 3 part menu of the S50. (See the Characteristics section).
In the Recording mode, the Display button cycles between
a display with only the focus point indicator; a display with the focus
point indicator and settings information; and the LCD screen Off.
In Playback, the Display button provides for a display with
only the photo showing; then one with the photo plus an overlay with basic
image information; and finally one that presents the photo as a thumbnail
which has potentially overexposed areas flashing. Additionally, all the
shooting data is indicated, along with a histogram that graphically shows
the distribution of brightness in that particular image.
In
use, the S50 is identical to the cameras on which it is based. The controls
are well-laid out, and very easily mastered. Only the Multicontroller
is an occasional source of problem, but even though a bit capricious,
can be accommodated with some practice.
] .
]
located just below the Mode Dial. Playback can be started either with
the lens cover closed and the camera Off, or while the camera is in Recording
mode.
