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Canon PowerShot S90 In Depth Digital Camera Review

10 comments

Posted by Patrick on Dec 7, 2009 in Cameras, Compact, Featured Content, Reviews

Canon PowerShot S90 In Depth Digital Camera Review

Conclusion

Before offering my final verdict, let’s take a look at some of the positives and negatives of the Canon PowerShot S90.

Positives

  • Excellent image quality for a digital compact camera with a small sensor
  • Usable ISO 800 images, and possibly higher.
  • Small and compact size.
  • Innovative Control Ring that makes for intuitive and unique camera controls.
  • Programmable Shortcut button.
  • LCD offers crisp and vivid view, with above average viewing angles.
  • Excellent lens with a fast f/2 wide angle length of 28mm.
  • RAW and RAW+JPEG shooting
  • P, A, S, and Manual shooting options for enthusiasts.
  • Much more available than the competing Panasonic LX3.
  • Quick startup times.
  • Responsive AF even in low light.
  • Satisfying macro mode for close up work.
  • Effective manual focus mode.
  • Image stabilization offers several stops of help.
  • Overall solid build quality.

Negatives

  • Lack of HD video recording.
  • Poor quality wrist strap (don’t let it come in contact with velcro!).
  • Unsatisfying dial around the D-pad.
  • Slick surface makes grip a potential issue (but not in our experience).
  • Frequent purple fringing.
  • Small size means inadvertently pressing camera button on the rear on occasion.
  • Slow continuous shooting speed.

Verdict

For the enthusiast looking for the perfect everyday, everywhere digital compact camera, it isn’t going to get much better than Canon’s PowerShot S90. It offers nearly everything you could want, terrific image quality–even in low light, manual shooting options, RAW files, small size, great looks, and ease of use. Because it’s so small, I really had no reason to not carry around the S90 all of the time, and that meant coming home with some shots I normally wouldn’t have, a sunset outside of the shopping store, a fish tank in the take out restaurant, a window shopper on Main St. And the real beauty of the S90, it isn’t compromised…you’re getting great looking shots with shallow depths of field because of the f/2 lens. You got that shot in the dark restaurant because you knew ISO 800 was going to be usable, while at the same time, even though you had a DSLR with you, you knew the S90 could bring something good home from that trail with the waterfall. It isn’t quite perfect, we really wish it had 720p HD video recording, but with few exceptions, the S90 is as close to perfect as the serious camera consumer can get today. We realize the Panasonic LX3 ranks right up there as well, but the S90’s smaller size, longer lens, and smaller price tag (well, at least here in the States) should put it at the top of any enthusiast’s “top compact” list. Given all of its merits, I can certainly highly recommend the S90, but I’ll go one better and say the S90 is “Essential” for consumers who simply want the best compact available.

Build Quality: 8.5/10
Features: 8/10
Functionality: 9/10
Image Quality: 9/10
Overall Value: 9/10

643178-1

Canon PowerShot S90 Digital Camera

Price: $ 399.95 at B&H Photo

Continue Reading This Review:

  1. Introduction
  2. Specifications
  3. Design and Interface
  4. Performance and IQ
  5. Verdict
  6. Image Samples

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10 Responses to “Canon PowerShot S90 In Depth Digital Camera Review”

  1. Jack Le Boul says:
    December 8, 2009 at 5:39 am

    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.

    reply
    • Darin says:
      December 9, 2009 at 3:07 am

      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

      reply
    • Patrick says:
      December 12, 2009 at 1:07 pm

      Jack,
      If I could get my hands on an LX3 I would, they’re hard to come by even for reviewers.

      reply
  2. Jack Le Boul says:
    December 12, 2009 at 4:12 pm

    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.

    reply
    • Patrick says:
      December 12, 2009 at 9:12 pm

      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.

      reply
  3. Darin says:
    December 13, 2009 at 5:17 am

    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

    reply
    • Jack Le Boul says:
      December 13, 2009 at 7:20 am

      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.

      reply

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