Canon PowerShot S90

Last updated
Canon PowerShot S90
Canon-s90-front.jpg
Overview
Type Digital Camera
Lens
Lens 6.0–22.5 mm (35mm equivalent: 28–105 mm) f/2.0–f/4.9
Sensor/medium
Sensor 1/1.7" CCD
Maximum resolution 3648 × 2736 (10.0 megapixels)
Film speed ISO 80, 100, 125, 160, 200, 250, 320, 400, 500, 640, 800, 1000, 1250, 1600, 2000, 2500, 3200
Storage media Secure Digital card
Focusing
Focus modesSingle, Continuous (only available in Auto mode), Servo AF/AEl
Focus areasTTL (9-point AiAF) 1-point AF (fixed to centre)
Exposure/metering
Exposure metering Evaluative, Center-Weighted Average, Spot
Metering modes Evaluative, Centre-weighted average, Spot (Centre)
Flash
Flash Internal
Shutter
Shutter speed range1/1600 sec–15 sec
Continuous shooting Approx. 0.9 frame/s
Image processing
White balance Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Underwater, Custom
General
LCD screen3.0-inch Purecolor LCD II (TFT) appro. 461,000 dots
BatteryCanon NB-6L Li-Ion
Optional battery packs AC Adapter Kit ACK-DC40
Dimensions 100.0 mm × 58.4 mm × 30.9 mm (W × H × D)
Weight 175 g (6.2 oz) excluding battery
Made in Japan

The Canon PowerShot S90 is a high-end 10.0-megapixel compact digital camera originally announced in 2009. The PowerShot S90 is the successor of the Canon PowerShot S80.

Contents

The almost 4-year gap between the S80 and the S90, compared with intervals of 6 months to 1 year between prior versions, led to the line being popularly considered discontinued, and thus the S90 as a revival, rather than a strict successor.

Features

Reception

The S90 has received good, [1] in some cases excellent reviews, [2] [3] with reviewers praising its image quality, small size, and ease of using manual mode, particularly due to its distinctive control ring. The fast (f/2) lens and the decision to reduce the pixel count (hence reducing noise; also found in the G11) are particularly cited. [4] The primary criticisms, beyond the general limitations of small sensor and small size, are that its ergonomics are lacking, and in particular that the rear dial moves too easily, changing exposure and often ruining photos. [5]

To address the ergonomic criticisms, third parties have developed a custom grip to make the camera easier to grip, [6] and a plastic ring to surround the control dial, making the dial less likely to be accidentally moved. [7] [8]

Similar cameras

In the high-end compact camera market, its main competitor is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 (and the Lumix's sister camera, the Leica D-Lux 4); [1] one significant difference being that the S90 is significantly slimmer due to the fully collapsible lens, hence more portable.

The Canon PowerShot S95 was announced and released in 2010. It was designed as the successor to the Canon PowerShot S90.

The Canon PowerShot G series (as of June 2010, the G11) are similar in terms of target market, but feature a larger body and slower optics at the wide angle end.

PowerShot S90 Rear view. Canon PowerShot S90 02.jpg
PowerShot S90 Rear view.

A similar category to high-end compact cameras are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras ("micros"), some of which are in a compact form factor (with a similar-sized body), such as the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1, Olympus PEN E-P1/E-P2, and Sony Alpha NEX-3. Micros differ however in being significantly larger (with lens attached), and significantly higher-end, featuring much larger sensors and interchangeable lenses.

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References

  1. 1 2 Canon PowerShot S90 Review, by Simon Joinson, April 2010
  2. Canon S90: World's Best Pocket Camera, Ken Rockwell
  3. Canon S90 Review: It'll Never Leave My Pocket (Except When I'm Taking Pictures), Gizmodo
  4. Canon PowerShot S90, Imaging Resource
  5. s90 control dial: what reviewers say, Gail Bjork, December 25th, 2009
  6. Richard Franiec’s Custom Canon S90 grip, Gail Bjork, October 11th, 2009
  7. s90 Control Ring Solution, Gail Bjork, May 22nd, 2010
  8. "Lensmate S90 Control Dial Solution". Archived from the original on 2010-05-29. Retrieved 2010-06-20.

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Preceded by
S80
Canon Powershot Compact S series
September 2009 – August 2010
Succeeded by
S95