Generally, some of the advantages of the Canon 90 IS compared to other compact competitors include: it has a slightly larger screen (3" vs 2.5"), is much smaller (super compact (92×57×21 mm) vs compact (99×59×27 mm)), has better image stabilization (lens vs none), has a much longer battery life (330 shots vs 200 shots) and is thinner (0.8" vs 1.1").
However, on average it has a much narrower wide angle lens (35 mm vs 28 mm), significantly lower maximum light sensitivity (1,600 ISO vs 12,800 ISO), doesn't have a touch screen, doesn't shoot as fast continuously (1.4 fps vs 7 fps) and has a CCD-family sensor (CCD vs CMOS).
Canon PowerShot S110
4 years newer
$439
Significant advantages of the S110 (vs the 90 IS)
- Much better wide angle: 24 mm vs 35 mm
- Has a CMOS-family sensor: CMOS vs CCD
- Better maximum light sensitivity: 12,800 ISO vs 1,600 ISO
Significant disadvantages of the S110 (vs the 90 IS)
- Much larger: Compact (99×59×27 mm) vs Super compact (92×57×21 mm)
- Much shorter battery life: 200 shots vs 330 shots
- Thicker: 1.1" vs 0.8"
common strengths of the S110 and 90 IS
- Wide aperture: f/2 vs f/2.8
- Very small: Compact (99×59×27 mm) vs Super compact (92×57×21 mm)
- Good image stabilization:
- Lens
vs - Lens
Canon PowerShot A3400 IS
3 years newer
$215
Significant advantages of the A3400 IS (vs the 90 IS)
- Much better wide angle: 28 mm vs 35 mm
- Has a touch screen
- Significantly lighter: 145 g vs 195 g
Significant disadvantages of the A3400 IS (vs the 90 IS)
- Much shorter battery life: 180 shots vs 330 shots
common strengths of the A3400 IS and 90 IS
- Wide aperture: f/2.8 vs f/2.8
- Very small: Super compact (95×56×21 mm) vs Super compact (92×57×21 mm)
- Good image stabilization:
- Lens
vs - Lens
Canon Digital IXUS 870 IS
6 months newer
Significant advantages of the 870 IS (vs the 90 IS)
- Much better wide angle: 28 mm vs 35 mm
Significant disadvantages of the 870 IS (vs the 90 IS)
- Significantly larger: Compact (94×57×24 mm) vs Super compact (92×57×21 mm)
common strengths of the 870 IS and 90 IS
- Wide aperture: f/2.8 vs f/2.8
- Very small: Compact (94×57×24 mm) vs Super compact (92×57×21 mm)
- Good image stabilization:
- Lens
vs - Lens
Canon PowerShot A470
similar age
Significant advantages of the A470 (vs the 90 IS)
- Faster max shutter speed: 1/2000 of a second vs 1/1600 of a second
Significant disadvantages of the A470 (vs the 90 IS)
- Much larger: Compact (105×55×41 mm) vs Super compact (92×57×21 mm)
- No image stabilization: None vs
- Lens
- Much smaller screen: 2.5" vs 3"
common strengths of the A470 and 90 IS
- Light weight: 215 g vs 195 g
Canon Digital IXUS 80 IS
similar age
Significant advantages of the 80 IS (vs the 90 IS)
- Has a viewfinder: Tunnel vs None
Significant disadvantages of the 80 IS (vs the 90 IS)
- Much smaller screen: 2.5" vs 3"
- Significantly worse wide angle: 38 mm vs 35 mm
- Much shorter battery life: 240 shots vs 330 shots
common strengths of the 80 IS and 90 IS
- Wide aperture: f/2.8 vs f/2.8
- Very small: Super compact (87×55×22 mm) vs Super compact (92×57×21 mm)
- Good image stabilization:
- Lens
vs - Lens
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870
7 years newer
Significant advantages of the Stylus Tough TG-870 (vs the 90 IS)
- Much better wide angle: 21 mm vs 35 mm
- Has a CMOS-family sensor: CMOS vs CCD
- Better maximum light sensitivity: 12,800 ISO vs 1,600 ISO
Significant disadvantages of the Stylus Tough TG-870 (vs the 90 IS)
- Much larger: Compact (113×64×28 mm) vs Super compact (92×57×21 mm)
- Significantly thicker: 1.1" vs 0.8"
common strengths of the Stylus Tough TG-870 and 90 IS
- Very small: Compact (113×64×28 mm) vs Super compact (92×57×21 mm)
- Good image stabilization:
- Lens
vs - Lens
- Great battery life: 300 shots vs 330 shots