Canon PowerShot S5 IS - Just opened the box - now what?

[TheDisneyClan]

Newbie to the photography board here. We have had a basic Kodak Easy Share point and shoot that is about 3 years old. No big complaints, though I have at times wished red eye were not such a problem, night shots were a bit better, and the shutter speed a tad quicker. It has stared to show the signs of of age and a new camera was inevitable.

WELL..................

My DH just suprised me with a gift tonight. A Canon PowerShot S5 IS. It is a beautiful camera, but I am sooooooo intimidated by all of the buttons, features, etc. I know in time that I could learn to use this camera very well, but we are leaving for WDW on Wed. morning. What do I need to know to take great picturs with this camera on short notice? Can I get away with using the auto setting for now and learn the advanced features later? Or do I really need to be well versed with all of the functions and features to take successful pictures? Will using the auto setting alone produce better pictures than my 3 year old very basic Kodak Easy Share?

I am very excited, just nervous and intimidated. This seems a big step up from where we were. I would hate to not have any good WDW pics just because I could not figure out the camera!! LOL

Can anybody give me some encouragement?

Thanks!

 

[Tuffcookie]

Wow! That doesn't give you much time to get familiar with it, does it?

I think I would use the Auto setting, but do read up the fireworks setting. You might see a few fireworks where you're going!

I just upgraded from the S2 to the S5.

Congratulations on your new toy!

TC

 

[S. C.]

Congrats on the great gift!

I mainly leave my S3 on P program mode. I'll change the ISO to 200 for indoor use & 80 or 100 for outdoor use.
Sometimes i will use portrait mode. And i have used fireworks mode.

 

[AndrewWG]

Newbie to the photography board here. We have had a basic Kodak Easy Share point and shoot that is about 3 years old. No big complaints, though I have at times wished red eye were not such a problem, night shots were a bit better, and the shutter speed a tad quicker. It has stared to show the signs of of age and a new camera was inevitable.

WELL..................

My DH just suprised me with a gift tonight. A Canon PowerShot S5 IS. It is a beautiful camera, but I am sooooooo intimidated by all of the buttons, features, etc. I know in time that I could learn to use this camera very well, but we are leaving for WDW on Wed. morning. What do I need to know to take great picturs with this camera on short notice? Can I get away with using the auto setting for now and learn the advanced features later? Or do I really need to be well versed with all of the functions and features to take successful pictures? Will using the auto setting alone produce better pictures than my 3 year old very basic Kodak Easy Share?

I am very excited, just nervous and intimidated. This seems a big step up from where we were. I would hate to not have any good WDW pics just because I could not figure out the camera!! LOL

Can anybody give me some encouragement?

Thanks!

Buy the shortcourse book here: http://www.shortcourses.com/store/canon-s5is.html

It is MUCH better than the user manual and gives tips on photography in general as well! It will show you everything that the camera can do for you and explains it very well.

Also, the red eye will be taken care of if you buy Photoshop Elements 5.0 or any Photoshop product. Elements is just alot cheaper than the full versions. It runs about $80-100 last I checked.

Good luck with your new camera! It will serve you well in WDW.

Andy

 

[lungert]

I bought this camera in July so I could practice using it for our trip in October. I hesitated on the purchase thinking that something smaller would be easier to carry around. My husband said he will carry it so we bought it. First, I LOVE the zoom. We have taken some great pictures with it. I tend to use the action mode a lot because kids are always moving around. I also use the indoor setting, outdoor, beach scene settings. I have taken some great pictures and some not so great too. My outdoor pics tend to turn out better than my indoor pics. I would say that this is not exactly a "point and shoot" camera. If you really want good pictures you need to use the best mode for your surroundings. I noticed the pictures that I take quickly and without thinking about the best setting do not turn out the greatest. I am hoping that my extended family will be patient with me on our trip, since I want good photos. We have not even attempted the video mode yet. Need to do that soon! My suggestion to you is to take the book with you, read it on the plane, read it some more while you are lounging at the pool. Also I plan on making a little cheat sheet on an index card and putting it in the camera bag. Speaking of bags, I bought a Sony bag at Walmart that is the perfect
size. Also has a front pocket big enough for a cell phone and room card and cash. Good luck with it! Like I said, I do have some beautiful pictures. Have a great trip too! Lisa

 

[misha]

We just got this camera this past week end and like the OP had a Kodak P&S. Now you all have me nervous about not having enough time to learn the camera!

Any quick tips would be great and plan on checking out the link above! TIA

 

[AndrewWG]

We just got this camera this past week end and like the OP had a Kodak P&S. Now you all have me nervous about not having enough time to learn the camera!

Any quick tips would be great and plan on checking out the link above! TIA

Don't worry about it and keep it on AUTO. Those cameras take super pics in just the auto setting. If you want specialized things like fireworks, just see the thread on fireworks and write that down. Otherwise, you will be fine with auto or program modes.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I would consider taking both cameras. It's possible you can get some decent shots by Wednesday - probably outdoor shots especially - but the indoor ones might be kind of tough without some practice. Don't get me wrong - you are eventually going to love this camera. But there is a learning curve and I wouldn't want to see you miss out on great photos from your trip.

I posted this a couple of weeks ago. Maybe you'll find it helpful.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1570685&referrerid=70088

 

[misha]

Thanks to both of you! We actually handed down our 2 older P & S to our kidlets so we could use them in a pinch. Since they are both about 3.5 MP even in auto mode the S5 pics seem amazing in comparison.

I checked out the other thread - incredible pictures! I had a huge debate with myself today over whether to get the 1G SD card or 2G b/c am I really going to take more than 600 pictures in 8 days? I decided to go w/ the 2 G and after seeing you took 4500! I'm glad I did

Completely OT but I grew up in MA - Fall River to be exact not too far from either of you!