Manual Control Options
The Canon PowerShot S500 has several manual controls available for fine-tuning the image. Available manual control options are ISO, White Balance, Exposure, and Metering.

Focus
Auto (8.0)
The Canon PowerShot S500 employs an auto focus technology called AiAF (artificial intelligence auto focus), which, according to Canon, meters focal distances from nine frames within the image to calculate the overall focal range, even if the subject of an image is off-center. The Canon PowerShot S500 can also be set with a fixed auto focus, which turns off the AiAF and meters from the center of the frame. This feature can only be turned off or on in Manual mode. I liked the auto focus mode, and found it accurate and fast. Its overall functionality compares to other digital cameras and the results are accurate. I liked how the area of the image that is being focused upon is highlighted by green boxes, and even the slightest movement and repressing of the shutter will change the focal zones.

Manual (0.0)
Unfortunately there are no manual focus capabilities on the Canon S500. This is disappointing even for a point-and-shoot camera. Although the S500 does offer some manual selection within the automatic focus mode, the S500 does not grant the user any opportunity for complete control.

Metering (7.5)
Three metering modes are available on the Canon PowerShot S500: Evaluate, Center-Weighted Average, and Spot. Metering can be selected by pressing the top button of the navigation/function keypad. Continued pressing of this button will switch between the various metering modes.

Evaluate mode is good for standard shooting scenes. The image is divided into zones for light metering. The image is then evaluated based on elements like the position of the subject, overall brightness, and direct light as well as backlighting. The correct exposure is then set based on these elements.

Center-Weighted Average averages the light metered from the whole image, although greater weight is given to the center of the image. This is good for a “not too sure” approach, as the center-weighted is the default metering mode in automatic.

Spot metering allows the light to be metered from a specific area in the frame; in the case of the Canon PowerShot S500, the spot is fixed at the center of the frame.

Metering modes are a great option, and should be included on every digital camera. This is not always the case, so it’s nice that Canon threw this feature into the mix. Metering is an underrated feature, as it is sort of a bridge between automatic and manual control over the exposure of the image. Overall, each was responsive, functioned well, and for the most part accurately.

Exposure (7.0)
Exposure on the Canon PowerShot S500 is adjusted by pressing the function button and then using the four button keypad to scroll down to the exposure setting. Using the left and right buttons on the keypad, the exposure can be increased or lowered by 1/3 stops, from -2 to +2. Users can shoot immediately after making an exposure adjustment, and the camera will return to the exposure setting for quick adjustment if needed.

White Balance (8.0)
White balance on the Canon PowerShot S500 can be accessed by pressing the function button, and scrolling down to the WB icon. Available white balance options are Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, and Custom. This is a pretty comprehensive array of options that should be sufficient for any user in this buying sphere.

ISO (7.0)
In manual mode, the ISO “speed,” as Canon calls it, can be set to Auto, 50, 100, 200, and 400. By pressing the Function button, at the far right in the row of buttons below the LCD, the function menu will be made available. Using the navigation keypad, users can scroll down to the ISO/Auto icon and make adjustments. Users are also cautioned to increase ISO with care, as image illumination is merely being electronically boosted and can lead to excessive noise. This is a pretty good range for a camera of this class, but you are limited to using the flash in low light situations. If you’re an ambient light fanatic, 400 is not going to give you much flexibility.

Shutter Speed (6.0)
The Canon PowerShot S500 has several “long” shutter speeds available for adjustment. Using the long shutter mode option, users can shoot photos under very low light as the shutter is left open longer, allowing more light to pass through the lens and become recorded to the CCD. Long Shutter mode is accessed within the first page of the Record menu. Users can use the navigation keypad to scroll down to the Long Shutter mode icon, a crescent moon with stars. Once selected, using the left and right keypad buttons, users can scroll through the various available “long” shutter speeds (measured in seconds): 15, 13, 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3.2, 2.5, 2, 1.6, 1.3, 1.

Aperture (0.0)
There are no specific manual aperture settings on the Canon PowerShot S500 to speak of, as the aperture priority mode automatically sets the terms. This is really disappointing; there is no reason why this camera should not give the user the option of added manual control as basic as aperture.