Canon PowerShot S95

Canon PowerShot S95
Pro digicam Pro digicam, Compact
August, 2010

Summary Canon S95

Prices Price
Camera only $354 - $389
all S95 prices
Score Snapsort rank
Within its price range #3 of 7 Among similar cameras #4 of 14
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 720p @ 24fps
see all specifications
Canon PowerShot S95Canon PowerShot S95

Replacement

Canon has replaced the PowerShot S95 with the S100.

Canon Powershot S100
Canon Powershot S100 announced September, 2011
True resolution Much higher true resolution
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Wide angle Significantly better wide angle

Compare the new Canon S100 vs the S95

reviewsWhat are people saying about the S95

"The Canon PowerShot S95 produces images of excellent quality."
photographyblog.com | talking about the camera's image-quality
"Image quality is still excellent, with a usable ISO range of 80-800 and fast f/2.0 maximum aperture, albeit only at the wide-angle lens setting, making the S95 very well-suited to low-light, hand-held photography."
photographyblog.com | talking about the camera's iso-noise
"The Canon PowerShot S95 is an easy pick for our Highly Recommended award."
photographyblog.com | talking about the camera's overall-performance

Videos

Canon S95 Hands-on Review (fil...

Canon S95 & The HD Video Minia...
Canon S95 Hands-on Review (filmed with a Canon S95)
  • Sample video
  • Demo
  • High ISO
 Canon S95 & The HD Video Miniature Effect.
  • Sample video
  • Demo
  • Minature effect

Browse all Canon S95 videos

Pros

The Canon S95 vs other recent pro digicams

Supports 24p 24p movies Help
For that film look
HDR In-camera HDR Help
Combines multiple exposures
Thickness Thin Help
1.2"
Weight Very light Help
193 g
Popularity Very popular Help
Among snapsort users
Supports RAW Shoots RAW Help
Better editing
Sensor size Slightly larger than average sensor Help
1/1.7" 7.6x5.7mm
Size Really small Help
Compact 99x58x29 mm
Light sensitivity (boost) High boost light sensitivity Help
12,800 ISO
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
$354.00

Cons

The Canon S95 vs other recent pro digicams

Movie format HD movies Help
720p @ 24fps
Wide angle Poor wide angle lens Help
28 mm
Screen resolution Low resolution screen Help
461k dots
Screen flips out Fixed screen Help
Less flexible
Sensor type Sensor type Help
CCD
Battery life Very short battery life Help
200 shots
Announced Old Help
August, 2010
Viewfinder Can only preview photos on the screen Help
None
External flash No external flash Help
Less expandable
Zoom Below average zoom Help
3.8x
True resolution Lower true resolution Help
10 MP
Continuous shooting Slow continuous shooting Help
1.9 fps
Screen type Screen type Help
LCD
Panorama Lacks in-camera panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack Help
Limited to the in-camera mic
Macro focus Poor macro Help
5 cm
Fastest shutter speed Slow shutter speed Help
1/1600 of a second
Longest exposure Short exposures Help
15 seconds

dxomark

DXOMark

Appearance

front photo of the Canon PowerShot S95back photo of the Canon PowerShot S95angle photo of the Canon PowerShot S95

Discussion What do you think about the Canon PowerShot S95?

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 25 comments

Funnybandaids (10:52 PM, December 29, 2011)
I just bought the 9100 and the video is amazing.  The zoom is great.  I do miss low light helps.  I also wasn't interested in charging batteries after only 200 shots or dealing with a flash popping up all the time when I didn't need it (quiet church services, concerts, etc).  Having said that, now that I have one, I really wish I had the other in hand to compare it with.  Taking photos in living rooms has proven tricky, though doing a test of the lighting area under "white balance|preset manual" to let it adjust to that room seems the best fix so far.  
 
Funnybandaids (10:48 PM, December 29, 2011)
On the other hand, video is reportedly better on the Nikon series.  I have the s9100 and it rivals my full blown Sona minicam.  The screen is magnificent.  Battery life is better.  My one fault with it is I like to push the contrast on just about all my photos and wish I didn't have to.  Wish I could try to the s95 to compare this!  Low light you just shoot a lot and delete a lot.  I do miss the lower f stop value.  For the price, perhaps I just need one of each?!  
 
Funnybandaids (10:45 PM, December 29, 2011)
Some cams, like the Nikon s9100, a powerzoom I chose for better battery, less obtrusive flash operation, and more zoom, has a fish eye digital after effect built in.  Could be an option for you?
 
Funnybandaids (10:44 PM, December 29, 2011)
As I suggested above to a commenter when this came up, you might try an eye-fi media card.  I bought one at Wal*Mart yesterday.  They are rated 6 and I've been pleased.  Have not tried the geotagging feature yet, but it has one built in.
 
Funnybandaids (10:42 PM, December 29, 2011)
You could add an eye-fi card to any camera to give it geo-tagging and wi-fi upload to your favorite social sites and favorite online photo printing service.  You can either upload immediately, or mark pics as "protected" to only upload favorite shots (either to social or printing site, depending on how you set it up).  I've not tried the tagging feature yet, but these cards have it built in.  
 
studyabroad2012 (9:32 PM, November 02, 2011)
I am a student going abroad to Ecuador. In my study abroad orientation, the point they stressed the most was theft in Ecuador. I've been told it was a bad idea to being my DSLR as it would more that l likely be stolen during my 5 months abroad. The issue is that my entire Independent study is focused around photography. I need a great camera that is smaller and less obvious out in the open. Any suggestions? Right now I have a canon t3i and would love to get as close to that quality as possible
 
Erllane (4:22 PM, September 22, 2011)
yes, the s100 ;)
 
Avatar for fmsrttm fmsrttm (2:57 AM, August 26, 2011)
Which is a better pick S95 or G12 as a tiny pro?
 
Avatar for shenyue shenyue (5:10 PM, August 19, 2011)
i own the 50D as well and i have to say, i have a heck of a lot easier time stuffing the g12 in my pocket than the 50D. That said, my friends have the s95 and they cant go all day on photoshoots like i do with the g12 because they require the use of the screen. That and the fact that the g12 has a hot shoe for flash and mic mounts just makes it over the top when im sharing flashes for better image quality and lighting.
 
Ephraimar (2:38 AM, August 18, 2011)
S95 is for keeps... I have tried Canon Elph300,SX230, Nikons 8100, and Sony Hx9v, but unfortunately I have returned them all. I bought them based only on there features like GPS, extra zoom and 3D. It was all fun at first, but when it comes to photo quality they don't stand a chance to S95... But if you like something loaded with features I recommend Sony Hx9v with 3d and panorama sweep, aWesome!. 
 
Me (8:48 PM, July 13, 2011)
The perfect camera. 
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (4:03 PM, July 12, 2011)
Hi Westsx4, the S95 is one of the best compacts for image quality, especially in low light, but I think you'd find its zoom too limiting.  Have you had trouble before getting blurry shots? Assuming they are dirt biking outside in daylight I wouldn't many cameras would have any trouble.  


If you do need more zoom than the Canon S95, you could look at a travel zoom camera, like the Panasonic ZS10, which is has a fair amount of zoom while being somewhat compact, or if you wanted even more zoom consider a super zoom camera such as the Canon SX30 IS.
 
Westsx4 (3:48 PM, July 12, 2011)
Is this camera good for photographing racing scenes?  My kids are big into dirtbike riding and I love to take pictures of them but dont want to have to carry a big camera around the track.  Im looking for something I can run around the track and take excellent quality action shots without the blur/fuzziness. I need clarity + mobility.
 
Absolut Vanilia (7:32 PM, July 10, 2011)
Yes, I check there too, but no info. Thanks a lot I'll inform you if I find something.
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (7:06 PM, July 10, 2011)
Hi Absolut, I haven't heard of one and after doing some googling I don't think there is one.
 
Absolut Vanilia (3:57 PM, July 10, 2011)
Do you know is there some geotagging GPS device for Canon S95?
 
Avatar for Rhys Morgan Rhys Morgan (5:24 PM, July 09, 2011)
I'm a college student as well and in a similar position. I decided to ditch my dSLR and go with the S95. It's the best camera on the market that will still fit in your pocket....that's a huge selling point for me as a student without a car because I will be on feet 100% of the time and don't want to worry about lugging big bulky gear around on my neck or in a bag. 

With that being said, get the S95....tons of pros use it as a light addition to their arsenal when they are out on the street because they have quick access to it at all times. The G12 is great and takes great photos, but you definitely don't get the same portability so in the end it's like you own two dSLRs, but one isn't as good.
 
Absolut Vanilia (2:20 PM, July 09, 2011)
Is there any geotagging GPS devices for Canon S95?
 
Weepei (4:55 AM, June 21, 2011)
Try sony nex 5.
 
Weepei (4:54 AM, June 21, 2011)
Ita not so fantastic as what i have expected. Some shoot i did were either too white or too dark.
 
Amandamulyana (4:05 AM, June 08, 2011)
I'm having a difficulty to choose a pro-digicam between Canon Powershot G12 and Canon Powershot S95.I'm a college student so sometimes I want to bring a camera to shoot people or events in my campus,I'm a pro DSLR's user too,I used Canon EOS 50D for about two years now.So can you give any advice or any recommendation for this daily use camera ? thank you :)
 
drpyro (1:27 PM, May 09, 2011)
Hi plz help me choose between Sony WX10 and Canon S95 wich one ? .. my interests are a compact little camera and impressive image quality on every situation, i would make some video recording For vacances as well
 
Skedgy Sky (8:02 PM, April 21, 2011)
Actually, you can buy a Lensmate 37mm adapter for the S90 or S95... and then buy a 37mm wide angle/fisheye lens.
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (5:54 PM, April 18, 2011)
Not really, you are unable to replace the lens on these types of cameras. The Canon Powershot S95 has a built in Fisheye mode that takes photos with the fisheye "look" but it is not a true fisheye picture.
 
Juniormagagnin (2:02 PM, April 17, 2011)
Is there a possibility to use a fisheye lens for canon s95 ??????? Thank you Guys...