The Sanyo Xacti DSC-S5 is largely similar to the existing DSC-S3 and DSC-S4 models, first announced nine months ago. It shares its lens and 1/2.5" sensor size with the DSC-S4 model, but where that camera had a sensor resolution of four megapixels, the DSC-S5 is a five megapixel camera. Other specifications seem to be unchanged.

Sanyo remains one of the few digicam manufacturers using software interpolation to boost its spec table; note that the DSC-S5's maximum resolution of 10.2 megapixels is interpolated 2:1 from the actual sensor resolution. This will of course bring an attendant decrease in image quality, not to mention significantly larger file sizes that will run out your available flash memory much more quickly. Better interpolation results can usually be obtained in your PC anyway.

The Sanyo Xacti DSC-S5 digital camera will ship in Japan from February 15th, at a price of ¥35,000 before tax. This translates roughly to US$331, ignoring exchange rate fluctuations, taxes and duties.

Sanyo Xacti DSC-S5
General
Manufacturer	Sanyo
Model Number	DSC-S5
Dimensions	3.6 x 2.4 x 1.2" 91.3 x 61.5 x 30.8mm
Weight	185.0 g 6.5 oz
Planned Price	$331.00
Planned Availability	Feb 2005
Image Capture
Sensor Type	1/2.5" CCD 5.36 megapixels (total) 5.10 megapixels (effective)
Filter Type	RGBG
Aspect Ratio	4:3
Image Dimensions	3680 x 2760 (10.2 megapixels, interpolated) 2592 x 1944 (5.0 megapixels) 1600 x 1200 (1.9 megapixels) 640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
Image Preview / Review
Viewfinder	Yes, Real-image optical zoom
LCD	1.8", 85,000 pixels 100% field of view
Lens
Lens Type	2.8x optical zoom
Image Stabilization	No
Focal Length	6.2 - 17.4mm (actual) 37 - 105mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Range	f/3.0 (wide) / f/5.0 (tele) - ???
Focusing System	TTL 5-point Manual Focus possible (15) steps
Focusing Range	Normal: 20" - infinity (50 cm - infinity) Macro: 0.8" - 20" (2 cm - 50 cm)
Exposure
ISO Sensitivity	Auto (50 - 200)
Shutter Speed	1/2 - 1/2000 second
Exposure Modes	Program
Metering Modes	TTL 256-segment
Exposure Compensation	+/- 1.8EV in 1/3EV increments
White Balance	Auto, Fair, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Manual
Internal Flash	Modes: Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction (in night scene only), slow sync Range: 0.15 - 2.8m (wide); 0.5 - 1.7m (tele)
Creative
Digital Zoom	4x
Self Timer	Yes, 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse	No
Movie Format	QuickTime Photo JPEG without audio 320x240 and 160x120 Max. frame-rate: 15 frames per second
Storage
Recording Medium	SD/MMC, Built-in
File System	Complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File Format	JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
Connectivity
Video	No
Computer	USB 1.1, USB 2.0 Full (LOW) Speed
Other	DC In
Power
Battery Type	Alkaline or Lithium disposable, NiMH rechargeable
Battery Form Factor	2 x AA or 1 x CR-V3
Product Bundle
Battery / Charger	2 x AA alkaline disposable battery
Flash Memory	16MB built-in memory
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant	Yes
PictBridge Compliant	Yes
Internal Microphone	No
Tripod Mount	Yes
Remote Control	No
Operating System Compatibility	Windows, MacOS