Image Quality

All of the sample images in this Review were taken using the 10 megapixel Fine JPEG setting, which gives an average image size of around 3Mb.

As we've found with nearly all Canon's semi pro compacts to date, when it comes to image quality there's very little to take issue with, aside from the fact that colours can feel a little cool when left on the camera's default settings, and, at maximum wide angle setting, some barrel distortion is evidenced, most prominently in our white brick wall test shots - along with softening of detail towards the corners.

Selecting iContrast in strong sunlight we found gave added definition and depth to a shot that could otherwise be left looking a little wishy-washy and hazy if the camera was entrusted entirely to its own devices. On that note though, Canon's point and shoot Smart Auto functionality works well, and reliably with it.

A lens that lets in plenty of light and a sensor not over-burdened with pixels also meant that we were able to shoot interior shots handheld and without the use of flash and avoid tell tale blur resulting from camera shake - aided further of course by on board image stabilisation.

Inevitably some pixel fringing is in evidence between areas of high contrast in outdoor shots, but it's kept well within acceptable levels and wouldn't be noticed unless zooming in to scrutinize detail like we were.

In terms of ISO performance the S90 excels in keeping noise down to acceptable levels. Even at ISO 3200, though detail has softened our test images reveal results that arguably, would give lesser compacts shooting at ISO 800 a run for their money, or certainly ones taking images at ISO 1600 if we're being particularly conservative.

For what appears at first glance to be a point-and-shoot camera with bells on, the S90 offers a level of sophistication that few can match - now our only worry is the price.

Noise

There are 7 ISO settings available on the Canon PowerShot S90. Here are some 100% crops which show the noise levels for each ISO setting.

ISO 80 (100% Crop)	ISO 100 (100% Crop)
ISO 200 (100% Crop)	ISO 400 (100% Crop)
ISO 800 (100% Crop)	ISO 1600 (100% Crop)
ISO 3200 (100% Crop)

Sharpening

Here are two 100% crops which have been Saved as Web - Quality 50 in Photoshop. The right-hand image has had some sharpening applied in Photoshop. The out-of-the camera images are a little soft at the default sharpening setting. You can change the in-camera sharpening level if you don't like the default look.

Original (100% Crop)	Sharpened (100% Crop)

Chromatic Aberrations

The Canon PowerShot S90 handled chromatic aberrations very well during the review, with limited purple fringing present around the edges of objects in high-contrast situations, as shown in the example below.

Example 1 (100% Crop)

Macro

The Canon PowerShot S90 allows you to focus on a subject that is just 1cm away from the camera. The first image shows how close you can get to the subject (in this case a compact flash card). The second image is a 100% crop.

Macro Shot	100% Crop

Flash

The flash settings on the Canon Powershot S90 are Auto, On, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Slow Synchro and Off. These shots of a white coloured wall were taken at a distance of 1.5m.

Flash Off - Wide Angle (28mm)	Flash On - Wide Angle (28mm)
Flash Off - Telephoto (105mm)	Flash On - Telephoto (105mm)

And here are some portrait shots. As you can see, neither the Flash On or the Red-eye-Reduction settings caused any red-eye.

Flash On	Flash On (100% Crop)
Red-eye Reduction	Red-eye Reduction (100% Crop)

Night

The Canon Powershot S90's maximum shutter speed is 15 seconds, which is great news if you're seriously interested in night photography. The shot below was taken using a shutter speed of 1/20th second at ISO 800. I've included a 100% crop of the image to show what the quality is like.

Night Shot	Night Shot (100% Crop)

Sample Images

This is a selection of sample images from the Canon PowerShot S90 camera, which were all taken using the 10 megapixel Fine JPEG setting. The thumbnails below link to the full-sized versions, which have not been altered in any way.

Sample RAW Images

The Canon PowerShot S90 enables users to capture RAW and JPEG format files. We've provided some Canon RAW (CR2) samples for you to download (thumbnail images shown below are not 100% representative).

Sample Movie & Video

As of February 2025, we are no longer providing full size sample images or videos for download.

Please contact us if you have any feedback on our new policy.

Product Images

Front of the Camera

Front of the Camera / Pop-up Flash

Front of the Camera / Lens Extended

Isometric View

Isometric View

Rear of the Camera

Rear of the Camera / Image Displayed

Top of the Camera

Bottom of the Camera

Side of the Camera

Side of the Camera

Memory Card Slot

Battery Compartment

Conclusion

With the race for more megapixels momentarily slowing at consumer level, it seems that small is the new big. Just as other manufacturers have been attempting of late to introduce compacts with the power of a DSLR, the Canon PowerShot S90 is, in effect, a bridge model without that class of cameras' associated bulk and occasional operational obstreperousness. It's user friendly, without lacking the sophistication that a fairly generous helping of manual control/s provides; shame about the lack of anything approaching a grip though.

So to the (other) major obstacle in the S90's way: its retail price, which matches that of an entry level DSLR. To the uninitiated browsing the selves of their local camera emporium, picking it up and having a cursory play, a cost of £250-299 (the standard price for sturdy if lesser featured 10 or 12MP compacts) will feel apt. A price tag of a cool £150 more will, under such circumstances, we'd argue come as a bit of a shock.

If you already own a DSLR, and possibly also a bridge camera, ownership of the S90 - more portable and with nearly as much on-board sophistication - starts to make a little more sense. Or perhaps if you view the S90 as the one and only compact you're ever going to buy or need.

Financial concerns aside, offering advanced features and yet compact dimensions, the Canon PowerShot S90 can count itself among the rare number of cameras we feel sad (and slightly aggrieved) to have to return to the manufacturer at the end of our review period. Impressive stuff.

Ratings (out of 5)
Design	4.5
Features	4.5
Ease-of-use	4.5
Image quality	4.5
Value for money	3.5

Review Roundup

Reviews of the Canon PowerShot S90 from around the web.

Specifications

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