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Canon PowerShot S90 In Depth Digital Camera Review
Canon PowerShot S90 Digital Camera Review
The Canon PowerShot S90 is the latest iteration in Canon’s well regarded S series that aims to lure photographers in with its carry everywhere compact size and enthusiast oriented feature set. Offering full manual shooting options, RAW+JPEG shooting, an f/2 wide angle lens, and low-noise oriented 10 megapixel sensor, the S90 is a low compromise solution for photographers looking for an everyday point and shoot camera, while offering very good image quality, all packaged in a slick and compact form factor. To find out if the S90 will meet your enthusiast needs, please continue reading our Canon PowerShot S90 digital camera review.
Availability
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Canon PowerShot S90 Digital Camera Price: $ 399.95 at B&H Photo |
Competitors
There are several indirect and potential competitors, but the most obvious alternative to the S90 has to be the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3. Both are spec’d very closely with 10 megapixel sensors, similar ISO ranges, RAW shooting options, and similar LCD displays. Notable differences include the LX3’s ability to shoot 720p video and the S90’s longer lens reach (105mm vs. 60mm). I’ve compiled a table to compare some of the two cameras key specifications.
| Camera | Canon PowerShot S90 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 |
| Price (street estimate U.S.) | $429 | $499 |
| Sensor Resolution | 10.0 million | 10.1 million |
| Sensor Size/Type | 1/1.7 " CCD | 1/1.63 " CCD |
| ISO Range | 80-3200 | 80-3200 |
| Lens | 28-105mm, f/2-f/4.9 | 24-60mm, f/2-f/2.8 |
| LCD | 3 inch, 461k | 3 inch, 460k |
| Built in flash | Yes | Yes |
| Continuous Shooting | .9 fps | 2.5 fps (for 8 images) |
| RAW Shooting | Yes | Yes |
| Movie Clips (best) | 640 x 480 @ 30 fps | 1280 x 720 @ 24 fps |
| Weight | 195 g (6.9 oz) | 265 g (9.3 oz) |
| Dimensions | 100 x 58 x 31 mm (3.9 x 2.3 x 1.2 in) | 109 x 60 x 27 mm (4.3 x 2.4 x 1.1 in) |
Highlights
A quick look at some of the S90’s feature highlights.
 |  |
| The S90 is tuned for low light photography. The f/2 lens, 10 megapixel sensor, and DIGIC IV processing are leading contributors. | At 28mm the S90 provides an f/2 aperture, but that narrows to f/4.9 when you get to 105mm. |
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| The S90 offers a 3.8x zoom. Here fully extended at the 105mm maximum length. | One of the more innovative aspects to the S90 is this control ring. |
 |  |
| It can be turned to control a number of different camera settings, giving the S90 an analog feel. | The S90 makes it easy to change the control ring's function with this dedicated button. |
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| The S90 is a camera for enthusiasts, so naturally it offers RAW and RAW+JPEG shooting. | The S90 has an ISO range of up to 3200, but it does offer a Low Light option with an ISO up to 12,800-though at reduced resolution. |
 | |
| Small and compact, the S90 checks in at just under an inch thick, making it easy to carry around in pants or jacket pockets. |
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If I understand this right. The LX3 has:
- faster continuous shooting
- larger sensor
- HD video
- wider lens
The S90 has:
- longer reach
- lighter and smaller
- better interface, camera control layouts
Would be nice to have some real life pic and video comparisons.
Hi Jack,
If you take a look at image samples from both cameras at Dpreview.com – it should become clearer – you can also do a side-side comparison on the site.
Also there is another discussion on this site which compares the LX3 & S90 & there’s been quite an extensive conversation on alternatives (warning, it is rather a hefty read through now)
regards
Darin
Jack,
If I could get my hands on an LX3 I would, they’re hard to come by even for reviewers.
Played around with the LX3 and S90 this weekend in Zürich.
The S90 review by Patrick was spot on. Really sharp pics, excellent manual controls and very well hardware layout. One notice that this camera was designed in 2009. Feel very small, sometimes slippery in your hand but probably one of the best PS camera today.
Disappointments? Some. Biggest one – Video & hot-shoe.
There was absolutely no reason for this cam not to have 720p. With the lens and sensor size the S90s video would be as sharp as its pics. Next upgrade will have it. Hot-shoe – there was the new Canon 270EX on display. Great small flash with all important bounce feature (similar to Nikon SB-400). I did not care to much for the built in flash.
LX3.
Picture quality was more or less identical which is to say very good. For PS “use” one does not notice any difference. Hardware layout is more flimsy, to many buttons and joystick at the same time.
Video mode = fantastic !
Lens and sensor really shine here.
Hot-shoe – Yes, but there is no small bounce flash to buy for this camera similar to SB-400 or 270EX. (emphasis on small)
Conclusion:
I can not recommend one camera against the other.
If video is important, yes LX3, if hardware layout and longer zoom, the S90.
However, what I do know is that there are no other PS than these to buy.
Jack,
Thanks for your analysis, i agree 100% —these are the two clear choices–each with their own advantages. I like the LX3’s retro style, aperture, and video. On the other hand I like the S90’s small size and control ring. Given the prices here in the states, I’d probably get the S90.
Hi,
I’m interested as to why people want a flash hotshoe on such a compact camera – sort of defeats the point of having a compact.
also in about 7 years of using a digital camera, I have only used video less than 10 times on a compact camera – a digicam has much more scope & range of zoom – HD is nice but is it truly needed (considering little zoom, no spot lighting & proper stereo audio)?
I have to agree with 1 point however, I do prefer the styling of the LX3, but that hotshoe needs a cover for when not in use 99% of the time
Regards
Darin
Darin,
Agree.
I would say that the main reasons one have not really used video on PS (me included) was the relative poor quality. Why waste the time and effort for pretty useless video. I think LX3 and others have changed my perception. Quality is really good and output easily editable on iMovie and alike.
A camera for the price and quality of S90, there is no excuse for not having 720p. Even the cheaper Canons PS have it. Somebody, somewhere messed up.
The hotshoe, I agree is more debatable.
I came to appreciate it on my G10 when shooting indoors.
The camera is a very different beast with the 270EX bounce flash.
Considering the poor built in flash, It just gives your more shooting options than without.
The reason why the S90 doesn’t do HD video recording is because the CCD sensor in the both the PowerShot G11 and S90 is made by Sony, and is limited to capturing 30 fps at VGA resolution. Canon’s history and know-how are in CMOS sensors, not CCD, hence the reason why Canon has been using Sony sensors in their compact digital cameras.
Tetanus,
That’s also my understanding, that Canon never has made a CCD, and that as you said the S90, G11 and several competitors (Ricoh GXR S10?) have the Sony sensor inside, a sensor that I don’t think Sony itself uses in any of its compact cameras.
Surprisingly good review.
Other reviews for visitors:
http://www.reviewroot.com/index.php?subject=Canon_PowerShot_S90&page=show
I have the S90 for a few month now.
Must say, I was frequently frustrated because of the unlogical option which does not deliver the pictures I want. But after a few month getting use to Canon logic, I got the result +/-.
Most frustrating is the left flash that pops up where the left finger is holding the camera.
It took me a long time to workout how to manage the “Ring Func” button and it’s logic. Because it does not really keep the f 2.0 long enough through the zoom.
In practice it does not give more advantage than a LX3 over the big aperture.
Battery does not last long as I was advised and bought 2.
Now waiting for Canon ’s reply because I can’t take a video shot which I like to adjust the +/- priority through my movie.
Neither can I switch from makro to standard zoom while filming.
I think they must have forgotten to program this in their firmware, I hope
Because all the adjustment is there and also seems possible until the real filming starts, “No adjustment”! Weird!
Does the ring give any advantage over the LX3? No, because it does not force the f 2.0 longer through the zoom. A sales gimmick.
Result, is good especially for the price compared to (ridiculous)Leica.
It’s the best pocket camera I could find till now and I have it besides my heavy Nikon.
I do consider the GF1 as an inbetween silent/mirrorless camera.
Hopefully Nikon does not come with a similar camera too soon but it would be a big advantage to have a 36×24 mirrroless body like what they made long, long time ago.
Grant,
Like you said, it isn’t perfect, but it’s still one of the best and more affordable available (compared to Leica, etc). The successor should be a good one!
All I can say is that the S90 is the best compact camera I’ve ever seen in action. Took it on summer vacation and it handled the strong contrast situations beautifully, in Av mode with exposure compensation as needed and i-Contrast turned on. I never even bothered with RAW as JPEG is incredibly clean and vibrant.
Interface and controls are excellent, the screen is gorgeous, although you still can’t see a damn thing in the bright sun. Operation is very snappy. If I didn’t need subject isolation/thin DOF for portrait work, I’d be done with my SLR ! Now just hoping that Canon or Nikon come up with a small, mirrorless camera that I can take everywhere with DSLR image quality, but until that happens the S90 will be my take away companion, and the D90 stays at home for serious portraits or goes out for wildlife.