Calling all digital camera experts! If you had the choice of either the Canon Powershot G7 or the Canon Powershot S5 IS which would it be?

No alternatives please and marks given for well thought out, concise reasons

It depends on how they would be used. If I needed a smaller, lighter and and easier to carry camera I would go for the G7. If I wasn't bothered about the bigger size and heavier weight then the S5's 12x optical zoom would swing it for me as it's double the 6x optical zoom of the G7. The S5 being 8MP against the G7's 10MP wouldn't be an issue.

So for me, purely on basics, ( I haven't trawled through all these pages of reviews - although I may do if I had to buy one) I would go for the S5 as it's a newer model, cheaper and I would use the 12x optical zoom. The G7's 2 extra MP and smaller, lighter body wouldn't be enough to convince me.

I have a Powershot S2 and I love it

But as Blueone says its not really a question of comparing like for like it more a question of examining your needs.

The S5 is a big camera - Dont expect to carry it in your pocket - Its either round your neck, in hand or in your camera bag.
When you go out with it you are going looking to take photos

On the S5 I couldn't recommend it enough - Its a great camera with all the features you could want from a DSLR without going the full hog of DSLR.
Its just whether you want a camera of that size