Connectivity
Software (6.0)
A basic image editing package (“Camera Suite 1.3” by ArcSoft) comes with the Canon PowerShot S500. The standard options of viewing, creating CDs, cropping, and basic image adjustments are available. This is a pretty standard setup across the board, but I can’t ever say anything good about “included” software packages. If users want to tinker, improve, and export their digital images, they should seriously consider investing in a real photo editing package.

Jacks, ports, plugs (6.0)
The Canon PowerShot S500 has one port cover on the left side of the camera. The port cover is made of durable soft rubber, and is easily flipped open to reveal a USB terminal (for connection to printers and computers) and an A/V out terminal (for viewing on a TV). The battery port is on the bottom of the camera, and can be opened by sliding the open switch in the appropriate direction.

Direct Print Options (5.5)
The Canon PowerShot S500 has a direct print / share button on the back of the camera, in the lower right side. When hooked up to a compatible PictBridge printer, the button can be engaged to send the files directly to the photo printer.

Memory (6.5)
The Canon PowerShot S500 records images to a CF memory card, accessed by shifting the CF OPEN slider up which opens the CF port cover on the right side of the camera. Depending on the CF card size, image size, and quality settings, varying number of images can be stored. The CF card option is great, as the card is larger in size than the SD or memory stick options. This, perhaps if only psychologically, makes me feel a little more secure about storing my images on something with a little more substance than a wafer-thin piece of digital technology.

Menu Selection File Size Resolution(pixels) 32MB 64MB 128MB 256MB 512MB
Large/SuperFine 2,503 2,592 x 1,944 11 24 49 99 198
Large/Fine 1,395 2,592 x 1,944 21 43 88 177 354
Large/Normal 695 2,592 x 1,944 43 88 176 355 709
Medium 1/SuperFine 1,602 2,048 x 1,536 18 38 76 154 308
Medium 1/Fine 893 2,048 x 1,536 33 68 137 276 552
Medium 1/Normal 445 2,048 x 1,536 67 136 274 548 1,095
Medium 2/SuperFine 1,002 1,600 x 1,200 30 61 122 246 491
Medium 2/Fine 558 1,600 x 1,200 54 109 219 440 879
Medium 2/Normal 278 1,600 x 1,200 108 217 435 868 1,734
Small/SuperFine 249 640 x 480 120 241 482 962 1,891
Small/Fine 150 640 x 480 196 393 788 1563 3,122
Small/Normal 84 640 x 480 337 646 1,355 2720 5,023

Other features (5.0)
The Canon PowerShot S500 can be attached to PictBridge compatible printers, and it has a Sound memo (up to 60 sec) feature that can be used for audio documenting. Other features worthy of mention are the histogram, as well as the playback zoom. These are great add-ons to a great little camera.