Canon Powershot S90

Review Index – (updated 28 January’10)

PCAuthority
“The auto mode in particular is very smart, with scene detection, motion detect and face recognition. If you want more control there are nine mode settings, each of which provides a summary on the LCD screen at rear, so that beginners can get to grips.”
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DPS
“Beautiful photo quality outstanding performance and looks to die for the S90 will be at the top of most enthusiasts lists. The reviewer indicated he generally does not hand out glowing praise for compact cameras mainly because of picture quality, he makes an exception with the S90. Who would not be impressed with a compact camera that is capable of producing shallow depth of field effects and is very competent in subdued lighting. This camera is almost perfect, all except for the lack of HD video. Even so it still receives a “Highly Recommendation.”

TechRadar
One of the nicest things about this camera is the very nice and fast f/2 lens. Also is has great ISO performance and the layout plus the big LCD make this thing even more attractive. On the downside the controls were a little difficult at times and the flash was a little too intense and the lack of HD video pulls its overall score down.
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Steve’s Digicams
Final thoughts – The S90 is a wonderful compact camera that gives you Canon’s latest and greatest technologies and features. Combine these with a lot of cool exposure controls and you have yourself one nice advanced shooter. Targeted at the more advanced photographer as a light “carry around” even beginners will find the camera a lot of fun to use. Photo quality is excellent with superb high end ISO capability. The reviewer highly recommended the camera but thought it was little on the expensive side. Yet if you consider the shear capabilities and high-end features all packed into a small frame perhaps the price is justified.

RegHardware
This is a camera that can become addictive if you consider it combines user friendliness, small size and the raw power of a DSLR. It’s clear Canon has raised the bar when it comes to compact cameras. Yet the reviewer indicated the S90 does have some handling issues that should be looked into by Canon. However, even with the handling issues and performance that is a little on the slow side “you just can’t help but love this camera.”
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DCR
When the S90 was announced the reviewer was pretty excited. A compact camera with a fast lens and manual controls to boot. Finally. However, once the review camera arrived they were not so excited. It was not because of photo quality or the number and quality of features, but it was the usability that ultimately shot the camera down, in fact, they called it, poor. They commented that Canon designers had forgot that people were actually going to have to hold this camera and work its functions. The S90s picture quality, is outstanding, it’s just that using the camera was frustrating.

DPExpert
The news here is that Canon has effectively created a higher quality camera by reducing the pixel count. The S90s 10 megapixels yields outstanding images and at the same time it avoids the noise problem that similar cameras with a more pixels have. The reviewer loved how the camera performed at ISO 200 and even at 400 it was still really good. At the end of the day they still preferred the G11 but noted for people who would want the same image quality and features in a smaller package the S90 would be one to get.

PhotoReview (Editor’s Choice)
Reviewer recommended buying this camera if – you are after a really small compact camera capable of RAW capture – spot on image stabilization is important to you – you’re after a lot of the controls offered by full sized DSLRs – you demand high resolution and low noise, even up to ISO 800.
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ImagingResource
Printed photos are really nice and as the reviewer notes, in some ways better than the G11, even with the more aggressive noise suppression in the S90. A compact camera with an f/2 lens is not something you can ignore. Any problems that the lens causes can easily be fixed with in-camera processing. All-in-all you get a respectable wide angle to telephoto range in a small package. Put all this together and Canon S90 can pull off some fantastically good photos and receives the reviewers endorsement.

Neutralday
Here is a camera that’s just about perfect to pack around with you everyday. It comes loaded with all the cool stuff, beautiful photo quality – even in low light, full manual operation, RAW capture, compact size, and it is easy to use. Because it is a “carry in everywhere” type of camera the S90 lets you get pictures you would otherwise would have missed. The review not only highly recommends the S90 they indicate it is THE camera for folks who want the best.
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CameraLabs
Here is the “sleeper-hit” of Canon’s compact cameras. Since sitting in the shadow of the G11 when introduced this very capable camera has gained momentum and popularity. Since it has no HD video or flash hot shoe many will choose not to buy it. However, the S90 delivers the power of the G11 plus it’s small enough to fit in your pocket. Because of this it is highly recommended.
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DPInterface
The reviewer “highly recommended” the S90 for anyone who is in the market for is a superb compact camera that takes excellent photos. Picture quality is easily better than most of its competitors. If you take all this into consideration the S90 represents a great value and if you choose to buy one the reviewer notes you won’t regret it.
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Video Review @ SimplyElectronics.net

Neocamera
At the end of the day the S90 in our eyes is one of the best cameras in its class, so it’s no surprise that we highly recommend it. It’s perfect for everyday photos and outdoor pictures look particularly good. However, like most compacts action shots are what brings this camera to it knees, in other words it does not do well for fast moving action shots.

DigitalCameraReview
The reviewer really enjoyed using the S90. It records really nice photos outdoors and nice indoor pictures as well. Its lens is high quality and has very little distortion. They noted they could leave the flash off in a lot of low light situation where other cameras would have failed. It’s built really well and its performance was fast.

TrustedReviews
The S90 is an outstanding compact digital camera that focuses on photo quality and a lot of controls. With its number of features, quality of construction, and image results the S90 is a great camera. On the downside the controls were a little fiddly and slow performance were a little annoying. Its main problem compared to its competition is the price, which is high.
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Pocket-lint
Here is a compact camera that includes a lot of powerful creative ability and it is small enough to fit in your purse or pocket. Yes, it is little but wow does it ever deliver outstanding performance. People on the scout for a small camera with high performance, the S90 delivers in spades.
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EnticingTheLight
“At the end of the day Canon has done a good job making the S90 so customizable that it allows you set the camera any way you like, and if not exactly what you were after, pretty darn close.”

CNET
“Most things about this camera like the functions, lens, and options make this a great choice for serious shooters. If you look at image quality the S90 delivers pictures equal to any of the other PowerShots. If we use a more critical eye we would have to say this camera is better if you stick to non moving things like landscapes and portraits.”
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DigitalCameraInfo
“Okay so there were just a few thing we didn’t care for with this camera but the main one was the bad video. Compared to it high def competitors on the market the S90’s video is archaic. For people who are after a “do everything” camera are going to be disappointed. For poeple just taking still photos this is probably too much of a camera in terms of cost. However, with that being said, for photographers that want control and a small camera the S90 will be a delightful choice.”

The New York Times
“Canon’s S90 may not compete with a true DSLR in terms of image quality but it beats the pants off almost all other compact cameras. Mainly because its sensor is huge in comparison and its lens is fast, as in, really fast. Last it has an adjustment ring around the barrel that lets you make quick adjustments on the fly.”

PhotographyBlog
“You get it all with this camera, advanced features, ease of use, and all in a small body the S90 is one of those cameras that we really hesitate to send back to the manufacturer when we were done with our review because we like it so much. This is a sweet camera.”
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CNET Asia
“Clearly Canon has the LX3 directly in its cross hairs and would like nothing more than the S90 to be the top consumer choice. While the S90 is a great camera we feel it does have some room for improvement. Its menu system could be a little easier to navigate and hopefully Canon will take this seriously. On our “add this as a feature” list would really like to see Multi-aspect shooting.”
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CNET.uk
“This a camera that ticks all the boxes in the feature and performance list, in fact the weaknesses are not even worth mentioning. Finally, a compact camera with DSLR features and nearly DSLR photo quality and all in a package that’ll fit in your pocket.”
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LuminousLandscape
“It looks like Canon is paying attention to photographers who need a portable camera that captures RAW. And this camera because of its small size and powerful set of controls is clearly the market leader, for now. Close on the heels of the S90 is a new group of large sensor and small cameras like the Leica X1 and Panasonic GF1. But for the time being the S90 because it shoots RAW, its tiny, and it comes in under the bar at $500 is the compact camera of choice.”

DigitalTrends (Editors Choice)
“This is one hot camera – don’t expect any deals for months. Question is, can you justify the $429 price tag for a compact camera? If you want a point-and-shoot camera that has outstanding low light ability, tons of adjustments and above all, quality images then the answer is yes. Yet, if you’re looking for DSLR capability, this camera does not offer it. It’s a relatively slow camera and may put some people off, but truthfully, we loved it. For serious shooters it would make a wonderful and dependable backup camera.”
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Gizmodo
“I know, it’s costs more than most compact on the market. But this baby has an awesome amount of power and you put it in your pocket. Very good low-light capability for a camera this size; really fast lens and yes sports fans it even has RAW.”

Wired (Editor’s Pick)
“WIRED Awesomely fast lens. Granular control over just about any aspect of your shots that you can think of. Slick control ring. Quick startup and shooting. TIRED Slightly bulkier than the smallest pocket cams. Backside controls are a little cramped.”
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Ken Rockwell
“The S90 has the good, traditional Canon menu system when you tap the FUNC button, not the crummier new one I’ve seen in some Powershots that require more button presses and remove some features. I’ll let you know more when I get my hands on a production version. From the prototype I used, I’m dubbing the S90 as the best compact digital camera that Canon, or anyone, has ever made.”

DPReview (Preview)
“When we picked up the S90 the first thing we noticed was the control ring built around the lens. It is used to adjust camera settings and can have multiple functions assigned to it. For instance it can act as a zoom ring, with each click jumping between the traditionally popular 28, 35, 50, 85 and 105mm equivalent focal lengths. Other functions can also be assigned to it using it to adjust either the focus, shutter-speed, aperture, exposure compensation, white balance or ISO.”