Canon S90IS Black Friday Deals!
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Canon S90IS Black Friday Deals!.
Product: Canon S90IS Amazon Price: Too low to display Availability: In Stock |
I bought this camera on 10/9, which is the first day it was available here in Kansas City. I have already taken a couple hundred shots with it comparing images side by side with my G10 at various settings. This review is of my initial impression based on the short time that I have had it. I was anxiously awaiting the release of this camera. I maintain a Nikon D90 DSLR, but there are many times when I purchase to objective buy a compact. In the past the Canon G10 has served that purpose, but the S90 boasts improved low-light performance and smaller size.
The first thing I wanted to test was image quality and noise at high ISO settings. Most photography hobbyists and pros know that gross light performance is the number one factor influencing camera and lens prices. This is the main reason an f/2.8 zoom lens costs 3-5 times as noteworthy as an f/3.5-5.6 zoom. The S90 performs superbly in this regard. RAW images from the S90 region at ISO 800 were equal to or better than RAW images from the G10 site at ISO400. Both luminance and chrominance noise were lower in the S90 images. This represents a 1 cessation improvement, which is what I was hoping for. These comparisons were made with all noise reduction disabled in camera and in the DPP software. I tested all other ISOs and found the S90 to be better at all ISO settings above 100 and the 2 cameras demonstrated equal IQ at the corrupt ISOs of 80 and 100.
Canon also boasts about the S90 having a faster f/2.0 lens compared to the f/2.8 on the G10, but this fraction of the camera did not ticket me. The lens only has the 1 close advantage at the absolute widest setting and the max aperture closes down snappily from there. The G10/G11 lens is faster at the telephoto kill and the contrast is negligible at all zoom settings in between. Both lenses are equally engaging throughout their zoom ranges.
The ergonomics of the camera will bewitch me a while to salvage broken-down to. I was looking for a smaller camera and the S90 definitely fits the bill. But now that I am using it, I wonder if it might be too tiny. I hope that it will become more comfortable in my hands as I glean weak to it. On the G10, I could operate all of the controls on the right-rear of the camera with the thumb of the hand holding the camera. With the S90 there are fewer controls that I can operate one-handed and at times I feel like I might tumble this camera, because I honest can't find a valid grip on it. Other ergonomic concerns are that the rear control ring turns too easily and I have found myself unintentionally adjusting settings because of this, which was never a jam on the G10. I consider I might miss the external ISO and Exposure Compensation dials on the G10, but I have station the front control ring to adjust the ISO setting and I would honestly need to utilize it more before I say the controls are not easy to access; again this should improve with more exercise. None of the concerns I have about the size and controls on the camera would dissuade me from the purchase; the trade-off is worth it for the smaller carrying size and improved performance.
The camera ships with a newer version (3.7) of Canon's Digital Photo Professional software. There is not considerable contrast compared to older versions, but there is one nice improvement: the lens aberration part is enabled for images taken with the S90. This allows for correction of vignetting, CA and distortion. I do not understand why the same controls are not available for RAW files taken with the G10. There is tranquil no straighten function in the software, which is a disappointment. Another disappointing factor about the software is that Canon has not yet released a novel RAW Codec; the unique version (1.5) does not aid the S90 or G11. This allows raw files to be viewed in Windows and for thumbnail images to be created in Windows explorer. I am clear they are working on an update, but I wish they had this ready by the time the camera was released.
I went step-by-step through the menus and features of both cameras during my comparison and most functions are very similar. The S90 has fewer AF options and no remote control, but I do not mediate I will miss either of these.
I considered giving this camera only 4 stars because of the couple of hits I mentioned above, but then decided that would not be pleasing. The title of "Best Compact" has been debated feverishly on the web, with most votes going to the G10 and LX3. But now, I mediate Canon's modern release of both the S90 and G11 will set a fleet kill to these debates. There is no put a question to in my mind that this pair sits above all competitors. Therefore a five star rating is the only logical choice. I highly recommend this camera.
Early Impressions
I was overjoyed to have finally received my Powershot S90, and without further adieu, let me say that this is one heck of a camera. It's not perfect -- you can select truly awful pictures with it honest like you can assume abominable pictures with a D700 -- but when traditional properly, the camera turns out noteworthy shots that form us procure it hard to find the images are coming from a camera that fits in your pants pocket.
What struck me first upon using it? First, it's size. This thing is puny, and it's light, too. It's a bit smaller than my Panasonic TZ3 and TZ5, and it's lighter, too. (The camera uses a front and wait on metal construction with plastic on the top and bottom, but the Panasonic's, while also using metal, exhaust a thicker gauge steel which adds a feel of sturdiness but also adds some weight, as well) . The camera also has a high-quality feel to it. The buttons click and depress well (although the rear wheel is a bit too easy to turn, in my idea) . It has a rounded shape, so it feels comfortable in the hands, and when you stick it in your pocket, it will accelerate good in and out without snagging. The hide on this thing is simply gorgeous: why can't every camera have a veil like this? It's gargantuan, smart, and radiant high in resolution (461,000 pixels) . You can't back but adore the camera's manufacture once you pick up looking at it and using it.
Next, the camera seems to obtain well in terms of hurry and overall operational utilize. The veil has the typical sail when taking shots, but you can adjust this somewhat in the menu system to urge things up, and quite frankly, every tiny camera I've ever owned exhibits this behavior. It is easy to utilize most of the camera's functions, and you may have heard about the programmable control ring around the lens on the front of the camera. It's operation is easy, solid (the ring "clicks" with detents at different positions), and, to boot, there is the standard programmable "S" button that the Powershots "S" cameras have typically had.
But of course, I'm fervent in high ISO operation, and so I immediately took it into the livingroom where it was quite gloomy, and fair started shooting. I was quite surprised at the results. You are not going to necessarily submit these to net any contests, but for the most allotment, the camera took nice shots even in that unpleasant shooting environment, and the sizable majority of the photos came out quite well (I will post a few with this review) . The camera is the first (along with the Powershot G11) to deploy Sony's unusual ICX685CQZ sensor, a 9.31mm diagonal sensor with high performance specifications. With a miniature post processing, many of them stare quite reliable. As the ISO crept into the very high ranges (800 and above) some sensor noise became apparent, but this is certainly the best low-light performance I've seen in a non-DSLR so far. (Observe my explanations, below, to examine why this is possible) . Surprisingly, some shots as high as 1600 ISO seemed to be acceptable as long as you are not a "pixel peeper." I was quite surprised when I discovered that a few of the shots had been taken at this high ISO 1600 level -- I've never had this experience before with a point and shoot camera.
Outdoor operation is unbelievable. My outdoor shots for the most portion have reach out very well, with rich color, sizable detail, and tiny sensor noise. Like most Canon portables, these images seem to answer well to post-processing (you can sharpen them quite easily, and Canon now uses a standard meta-data tagging format that is readable by virtually all photo editor programs.) I even turned the EV down -2/3 while outside, and the sensitivity of the camera is so splendid that, even with this reduction in EV, my shots came out gripping and sure. Again, I will post a few shots with this review.
The camera TRULY excels at macro photography. The macro shots I've taken thus far are sure, appealing, and have big depth of field. In a word, they are superb: this camera is a macro shooter's delight. (A nice touch, too, is that in AUTO mode the camera automatically shifts into macro mode, without having to press any buttons!) The functionality objective begs us to retain shooting macros over and over again. I've been able to assume macro shots that I only dreamed of before, and the camera makes it easy to do so.
And although this is not an just measure, the camera is unprejudiced expressionless fun to spend. It works smoothly, is light, has a graceful mask, and seems to retain cranking out one nice shot after another. Wow.
Early Pro's and Cons
-- PROS --
1. Exceptionally limited and lightweight (100 x 58 x 31 mm and 175 g)
2. Increased sensor size for a portable with a lower megapixel count (Sony's recent ICX685CQZ sensor, 9.31mm diagonal)
3. Reasonably gargantuan zoom factor (28-105mm, approximately 3.8X zoom)
4. Wide destroy is very wide for landscape shots, vistas, group photos (28mm)
5. Hastily f/2 lens permits high levels of light passage in coarse light situations
6. f/2 lens makes shallow depth of field shots incredibly effective - this camera is a macro shooter's delight
7. Two types of highly effective shake reduction technologies
8. Acquire makes lens cap unnecessary
9. Extremely high image quality for a pocket sized camera
10. Large 3 accelerate LCD hide with 461,000 pixel resolution and 100% coverage of the shot you wish to take
11. RAW mode allows for highest image quality and post processing
12. Virtually every camera setting is user adjustable (ISO, shutter rush, aperture, EV, white balance, etc.)
13. Ring-based control implementation one of the best on ANY novel camera
14. Reasonable cost for a camera of this ability (but peruse the prices climb as the camera stays in and out of stock)
16. Metadata being properly written to the file so they can be read by photo editing software (a jam with earlier Canons and some other brands)
17. SDHC flash card is highly standardized, and is coming in larger and faster formats (indispensable if you are taking many RAW shots)
18. Extremely heavenly physical design
19. High quality construction apparent on first employ
20. Reasonably helpful battery life - most people are reporting about 300 shots (without flash) between charges
-- CONS --
1. Zoom ends at 108mm (3.8X zoom), which may be a deal breaker for some
2. Does not capture HD videos (but does shoot 640 x 480 at rotund 30fps)
3. LCD hide not at the highest modern resolution as seen in some DSLR's (but is stout, anyway)
4. Proprietary battery is an expensive proposition, as two or three are needed for daylong trips
5. Camera case not included, and is expensive to catch afterword
6. No prices below retail due to the high request of the plot
7. May be difficult to initially win due to high demand
8. Quiet no "universal standard" RAW mode file format - the camera manufacturers need to address this soon!
9. Mechanical noise when setting focus and exciting between luminous and dimply lit areas - this is the aperture being adjusted, but it can be annoying
Some Other Things I Can Philosophize You about this Camera (and the Powershot Line in general)
Canon's reinstatement of the extinct "S" series within the Powershot line is a welcome travel to thousands of photographic enthusiasts. Although the S90 announcement a few months ago caught the photographic community by surprise, the announcement was greeted with overwhelmingly certain reactions. As a person who had been greatly impressed by my older Powershot S80, a phenomenal camera for its time and a pleasure to employ, I was one of them.
Read the online posts of virtually any photography forum, and you'll fleet peep there is no shortage of individuals, many of them longtime professional photographers, who have tired of carrying around anywhere from four to ten pounds of photographic equipment simply to derive a few shots while out on a journey. (I assume it may have been Scott Kelby who said, and I paraphrase, "The best shot is the one you assume," and if the weight and size of your equipment makes it so that you demolish up not bringing your camera with you, you won't pick any photos at all! This is a corollary to one illustrious photographer`s statement that there is an inverse relationship between the amount of photos you remove and the amount of equipment you bring.) The pickle has generally been, however, that the smaller you gain the camera, the worse the image quality of the photos the scheme can acquire. This has region up a tradeoff between image quality and camera size, and, more specially, image quality and sensor size, which for years has forced photographers to acquire a stand with one side of the equation or the other, and then defend to the community why they made such a choice.
Without going into too worthy detail here, the plight in manufacturing a compact camera that takes honorable images under a wide range of environments essentially boils down to the sensor, the electronic scheme that takes the residence of film in older cameras. The larger the sensor, the more surface region for light to descend, and the higher the density of the sensor (in megapixels) the higher the sensor's resolution. Camera manufacturers have excelled at developing ever higher densities in sensors of the same physical dimensions -- many 12 and 14 mexapixel cameras are using sensors sized no larger than those on previous cameras possessing only 3 or 4 mexapixels -- but where they have fallen flat on their faces is in the development of sensors that have generous resolution AND indecent noise. And the most boom impact of increasing mexapixel count on a sensor that remains static in size is the increase of electronic "noise" (also known as the "signal to noise ratio," a term former for describing all electrical circuits, whether photographic in nature, or not), resulting in photos that have a grain like appearance with miniscule spots of white and color spread throughout the entire image, spoiling the photo's clarity and diminishing its overall appearance.
The spot is that when more reactive pixels are crammed into a sensor of a fixed size, the size of the pixels themselves must be decreased to accommodate more of them within the same sensor size. But as pixels are made smaller, they also tend to emit more unwanted electrical emissions (called "noise") along with the desired output (called "signal") . As consumers have somehow mistakenly equated megapixels with quality (and the camera manufacturers have done microscopic, if anything, to dispel this misunderstanding), camera manufacturers have released successive waves of unusual cameras with higher and higher resolution, but with essentially the same sized sensors. These "upgrades" have driven noise levels higher, and have resulted in more cameras advantageous to taking "trustworthy" photos only in elephantine sunlight where the signal from the sensor easily overpowers its noise. (This phenomenon is best seen when taking a describe in a indecent light setting, say inside a building, and the photo, if it comes out blur free at all, is laden with noise spots, making the photo generally unappealing in appearance and lacking in detail and clarity.)
The near to this scrape has typically been to apply "noise reduction" processing algorithms to the image before it is written to the flash card, similar to techniques outmoded by computer software image editing programs. And although this "after the fact" noise reduction near can abet, the truth is that, for most situations, there simply is no plot to repair a photo so laden with noise: you can rob the noise, but the cost is a loss of detail, making such photos appear slightly soft and blurry, with runt detail. Some cameras compose so distinguished noise that noise reduction algorithms appear in all photos, not unbiased coarse light shots, where even chubby sunlight shots reveal noise reduction artifacts in the resulting relate.
That preamble may have been a bit longer than was expected, but it is an essential background to the Powershot S90, a camera that attempts to tackle the pickle of outrageous light image quality in a manner few manufacturers have generally attempted:
1. increasing the physical size of the sensor to a size larger than most point and shoot cameras
2. reducing the noise generation inherent in the hardware sensor pixels
3. increasing pixel size by reducing the number of pixels on the sensor
4. using a "expeditiously, vivid" lens with a very wide aperture (f/2 at its widest zoom level) that allows a stout deal of light to pass through to the sensor
When these four approaches are employed, the result can be a portable camera that, under some conditions, can rival the performance of most entry level DSLRS, and do so in format that fits in your shirt pocket.
The Powershot S90 has unbiased now been released, and most all initial reviews seem to be extremely definite, including my believe here. Functionality on the camera is praised, particularly with Canon's implementation of a very former, but generally discarded control mechanism: a ring around the diameter of the lens element serves as a selector for variety of user-defined functions in conjunction with a shrimp function button on the top of the camera. The unit itself is miniature in size and weight (100 x 58 x 31 mm and 175 g, respectively) and makes exhaust of a matte sad attain with calm zigzag edges that maintains the generally rectangular shape.
What is the impress we pay for such performance? The indispensable one (and this may be a deal breaker for many) is that the camera zooms only from 28 105mm, making it effectively a 3.8x zoom, too petite to be able to compare with compacts such as Panasonic's DMC-TZ5, which starts at this same wide extinguish but (incredibly) zooms to 10x. But if we understand what the S90 is designed to do, which is to seize high quality images even in less than neat lighting conditions (at dusk, inside a cathedral, in museums, etc.), we can study Canon's strategy: don't exertion about a lens that zooms across the football field and concentrate on developing a like a flash lens that transmits lots of light and excels at the wide extinguish. In fact, the S90 is marketed as a camera that is particularly well worthy to depth of field shots, where only one item in the frame is in focus, and the rest blurred, and in macro shots where the subject is less than 2 inches away. In this sense, we can say the camera's zoom is not a deficit in the effect, but a strategy that helps the camera accomplish its goals.
My Canon Powershot S80, a camera I purchased many years ago, took pictures of startling clarity and quality. While possessing similar lens characteristics to the original S90, the S80 had no anti-shake technology, could beget only up to a 2Gb SD card, and had an optical viewfinder that wasn't too true. But none of that mattered: the photos that came out of the camera were some of the best I took in those years, and, to boot, the camera was constructed in a quality manner that celebrated itself from all other portables at the time, and was simply a pleasure to consume. Early reviewers of the S90 are reporting these very same qualities, but now with a camera that is designed to push the boundaries of portable cameras into a original standard.
COMPARE
Canon Powershot S80 8MP Digital Camera with 3.6x Wide Angle Optical Zoom
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5K 9MP Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Dusky)
Canon S90 IS is one of Canon high-end / advanced Canon Powershot compact camera. Its fresh characteristics are slim, vulgar profile body with enormous noise control in high ISO plus 28-105mm f/2-f/4.9 luminous zoom lens. The other advantage is the camera is very pocket able. It fits in your jeans' pocket.
IMAGE QUALITY AND ISO
Canon S90 IS has 1/1.7 sensor size which is slighty smaller compare to its main competitor, Panasonic LX3 (1/1.63") . From my test, S90 IS image quality is very worthy across focal length but dynamic range (the inequity between the brightest and darkest parts of an image) is dinky . This is also a spot most of digital camera out there, but S90 is slightly worse compared to competitors.
However, regarding noise control and handling, S90 IS is suitable. The modern algorithm works very well to slice or erase most (if not all) chroma-noises which degrade image quality significantly. Image shot at ISO 1600 is very usable for regular print and web.
BODY & HANDLING
Canon S90 IS has a slim, rude profile watch, so it is very well-behaved for street photography. It does not attract attention like digital SLR camera.
For control, it has two main dials, both of them are round. One is located in the lens, and the attend of the camera. The abet dials also function as four diagram buttons. This perform is similar to Samsung WB1000 gain.
Front ring dial can be customized for several options: adjust aperture/shutter bustle, ISO, exposure compensation, manual focus, white balance or zoom. The front dial is not like zoom barrel in the lens, it is not calm, instead, it has several stops point. There will be a "click" sound to let you know if you hit the finish.
I usually expend the lens dial to zoom. There are five stops in the dial: 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm and 105mm. All of them are accepted focal lengths. I found this is great better plot to zoom rather than worn map (pull a lever on the shutter) . It is faster, less noise and true. It is vast for learning how focal length affect perspective and distortion too.
Mode dial is harder to change because they have attach some resistant to it. It is to prevent accidental switch.
There is also a shortcut dial which you can customized to many function such as AF servo, intellectual incompatibility, face detection and many more.
Canon S90 has 3 4:3 ratio LCD hide with 460k resolution. It is similar to Panasonic LX3, but better than typical compact camera. It is worse than Samsung WB1000 which has AMOLED shroud (over 1 million resolution) .
However, originate quality is not up to par with leading advanced cameras such as Canon G11 and Panasonic LX3. It made by metal but it feels plasticky. I have a sweaty hand and it registers my fingerprint! Also because of its flat manufacture, there is no space to get your grip. But overall ergonomic is not unpleasant.
OPERATION & AUTO FOCUS
Start up and turn off time is speedy. It only takes around 1.5 seconds for each. Compare to LX3: around 1.75 seconds, Ricoh GRD3 : 2 seconds respectively. Auto focus is typical compact., around .75 second, will seize more time if you point to crude difference subject. Camera operation is very lickety-split and very responsive upon instruction.
COMPETITORS
Panasonic DMC-LX3K 10.1MP Digital Camera with 2.5x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Unlit)
Panasonic LX3 is an arch-rival of Canon S90 IS. It shares same notion of shimmering and wide zoom lens. However, there are many differences between the two such as the focal length, invent quality, image quality and handling, please read Panasonic LX3 vs Canon S90 IS for complete comparison.
Samsung TL320 12MP Digital Camera with 5x Schneider Wide Angle Dual Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0 mosey OLED Conceal (Shaded)
Samsung best advanced camera is similar with S90 in one diagram, they are both compact and has mountainous handling. Samsung WB1000 has AMOLED LCD hide which is a lot clearer, Samsung also has wider and longer zoom. However, Canon S90 IS is better in indecent light condition.
Canon PowerShot G11 10MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Optical Stabilized Zoom and 2.8-inch articulating LCD
G11 is a expansive brother to Canon S90 IS, it has fine control and body handling, but it is grand bigger in size.
CONCLUSION
Canon S90 IS is a expansive choice for photographer who like a lightweight, pocket able compact but doesn't want to hover on image quality and control. It has very profitable operational race and have some immense customizable options. I especially like the zoom ring dial on the lens, which has Digital SLR like control. S90 IS is also kindly in gross light dwelling. However, Canon S90 Is also has a downside, such as below average obtain quality (relative to competitors) and cramped dynamic range.
Subjective rating compared to other advanced compacts in 2009
* Image quality 4/5
* Body handling 4/5
* Performance 5/5
* Features 3/5
* Value 5/5
Please check my website for image sample, ISO comparison and more reviews.
