Pro digicam Pro digicam, Compact
August, 2009
Canon PowerShot S90

Canon PowerShotS90

Summary Canon S90

Prices Price
Camera only $536
all S90 prices
Score Snapsort rank
Within its price range #n/a of 12 Among similar cameras #n/a of 16
details details
Specifications Key specs
Zoom Help 3.8x Screen size Help 3.0"
Aperture Help f/2.0 Screen resolution Help 461k dots
Wide angle Help 28 mm Movie format Help 480p @ 30fps
see all specifications
Canon PowerShot S90Canon PowerShot S90

Replacement

Canon has replaced the PowerShot S90 with the S95.

Canon PowerShot S95
Canon PowerShot S95 announced August, 2010
Supports 24p Supports 24p
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Size Slightly smaller

Compare the new Canon S95 vs the S90

Videos

Canon S90 Time-lapse Sample

Canon S90 Low-Light Sample
Canon S90 Time-lapse Sample
  • Sample video
  • Autofocus
  • Time-lapse
  • Low light
 Canon S90 Low-Light Sample
  • Sample video
  • Zoom
  • Manual focus
  • Low light

Browse all Canon S90 videos

Pros

The Canon S90 vs other recent pro digicams

Thickness Thin Help
1.2"
Weight Very light Help
198 g
Light sensitivity (boost) High boost light sensitivity Help
12,800 ISO
Supports RAW Shoots RAW Help
Better editing
Size Really small Help
Compact 100x58x30 mm

Cons

The Canon S90 vs other recent pro digicams

Screen resolution Low resolution screen Help
461k dots
Supports 24p No 24p movies Help
Missing that film look
Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
0.9 fps
Screen flips out Fixed screen Help
Less flexible
Sensor type Sensor type Help
CCD
Announced Old Help
August, 2009
Fastest shutter speed Slow shutter speed Help
1/1600 of a second
Longest exposure Short exposures Help
15 seconds
Zoom Below average zoom Help
3.8x
Movie format Low resolution movies Help
480p @ 30fps
Wide angle Poor wide angle lens Help
28 mm
True resolution Lower true resolution Help
10 MP
Viewfinder Can only preview photos on the screen Help
None
External flash No external flash Help
Less expandable
Popularity Not so popular Help
Among snapsort users

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Appearance

front photo of the Canon PowerShot S90back photo of the Canon PowerShot S90angle photo of the Canon PowerShot S90

Discussion What do you think about the Canon PowerShot S90?

Speech is free, but discussion at Snapsort is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of this camera here, and discuss feedback for Snapsort at our support community.

Showing 3 comments

Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (2:19 PM, November 29, 2010)
Some comments from Nhan Ngo:

I have the S95 and I'm a picky person. Here are some of my cons right down to the last detail:

-Battery lasts only 150-200 shots. I got a $20 aftermarket battery which has saved me on some occasions
-Nice f/2 aperture at wide, but only f/4.9 ...at telephoto... which is not good compared to other pro compacts
-Pop-up flash not in an ideal location because that's where your finger is gripping
-Rear control ring still a little loose despite being improved from the S90. I still inadvertently nudge it, which changes the exposure bias.
-No hand grip which makes holding it feel less secure. I got a $35 custom handgrip, vastly improving handling and still looks great.
-Included wrist strap is loose and doesn't firmly secure to your wrist. I replaced it with a $1 black Nintendo Wii wrist strap.

Hope this helps!
 
Avatar for Alex Black Alex Black (1:20 AM, June 30, 2010)
I suspect you're right sugaroni, a comparison of the S90 vs G10 shows they have the same sized sensor, both have a 1/1.7" sized sensors which is a step up from almost all the other small cameras.

Comparison: http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon_PowerShot_G10-vs-Canon_PowerShot_S90/specs

Also, see all the large sensor small cameras: http://snapsort.com/explore/best-compacts/1.7-sensor-size
 
Avatar for WellAppointedDesk WellAppointedDesk (1:06 AM, June 30, 2010)
If I'm not mistaken, the S90 uses the exact same sensor as the Canon G10 -- in a smaller package -- so it also has excellent image quality for something so small.