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Specification Highlights
10mp High Sensitivity CCD
3.75x Zoom (28-105)
Fast f/2.0-4.9 Lens
Dual Anti-Noise System
3″ LCD
ISO 3200
DIGIC IV
New Feature Lens Control Ring
Press Release
Today Canon announces the PowerShot S90 – marking the return of the Canon PowerShot S-series. The PowerShot S90 continues the PowerShot S-series tradition with impressive, fully manual features that deliver excellent image quality and user experience, including:
Canon’s Dual Anti-Noise System with an f/2.0 wide-angle lens, a 3.0 inch, PureColor II LCD display and an intuitive new lens Control Ring.
Exceptional image quality in all conditions
The PowerShot S90 features Canon’s Dual Anti-Noise System, combining a high sensitivity 10.0 Megapixel image sensor with Canon’s enhanced DIGIC 4 image processor. Photographers can capture full resolution images – even in tricky lighting conditions – with the Dual Anti-Noise System taking maximum advantage of the available light, while substantially reducing image noise.
This is particularly useful in low-light portrait and landscape photography, where users are able to shoot high quality full resolution images even at ISO 3200. DIGIC 4 also includes an enhanced version of i-Contrast: Canon’s Intelligent Contrast Correction technology, which delivers a wider dynamic range to reduce high-light blowout while retaining low-light detail.
The f/2.0 Advantage
Canon has fitted the PowerShot S90 with a wide aperture f/2.0 wide-angle lens to help photographers take full advantage of the Dual Anti-Noise System. The f/2.0 wide-angle lens allows twice as much light into the camera as an f/2.8 lens, enabling photographers to use faster shutter speeds to reduce blur or achieve a shallower depth of field.
The camera also includes Canon’s optical Image Stabilizer (IS) technology, which uses a lens-shift system to minimise camera shake and image blur – effectively giving photographers a 4-stop advantage over less capable cameras.
To help users capture the perfect shot, the PowerShot S90 includes a 3.0 inch LCD display, which features Canon’s PureColor II LCD technology. It enables users to frame and review images easily thanks to an exceptionally wide viewing angle, 461k dot resolution and great colour rendition.
Sophisticated performance, sensational ease of use
As befits a camera of this calibre, the PowerShot S90 features a wide range of powerful manual and automatic controls that give photographers creative freedom.
The PowerShot S90 features an intuitive lens Control Ring, which enables users to adjust the settings of various functions by twisting the selector at the base of the lens barrel to the left or right. The Control Ring can be used as a quasi-manual zoom offering a closer view of subjects in 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm and 105mm steps.
Additional settings can be assigned, such as ISO (in 1/3 stop increments), shutter, aperture, focus and exposure compensation – giving photographers a satisfyingly tactile experience. The Control Ring also helps enhance user interaction with the camera by offering fast, accurate scrolling through menus, functions and images. In new Nostalgic Mode the Control Ring can also be used to add an aged effect to the shot, from a subtle faded look to full grainy black and white.
Smarter Scene Detection
For more creative control, users can also choose from a variety of Scene Modes (SCN on the Control dial) that enable them to choose the best settings for particular shooting situations – ideal for creative effects or when shooting in difficult lighting. A new Low Light mode can help users capture reduced resolution 2.5 Megapixel images in very dim light at ISO speeds of up to ISO 12800 and at a fast 2.4 frames per second.
Photographers can also choose from a range of creative modes including Aperture priority AE, Shutter priority AE, Program AE, Manual and Custom modes. Choosing and using different camera settings is now even easier thanks to an improved menu navigation system, which includes ‘Hints & Tips’ on most settings and features.
The PowerShot S90 allows fine custom adjustment of the camera’s white balance settings – enabling compensation of different kinds of tungsten, fluorescent and other light conditions for perfect results every time.
For quick and easy snaps, the PowerShot S90 includes Smart Auto with Scene Detection Technology. This selects the scene type from 22 variables, applying the best settings for optimum output – a great asset to those who love to point-and-shoot without worrying about the technical details. Smart Auto now measures movement of objects or people in a scene, activating Servo AF/AE to ensure that the focus and exposure are locked onto a subject.
In addition, the PowerShot S90 offers RAW format shooting and support for Canon’s Digital Photo Professional (DPP) software, making it easy to integrate the camera into a user’s digital workflow. Users will also find it easy to share images captured on the camera with family and friends, thanks to an HDMI mini port, which enables the camera to be connected to a compatible TV using an optional cable.
With a strong heritage and impressive range of features the PowerShot S90 is the ideal compact camera for technology and photographic enthusiasts alike.

This looks cool.
Could be my next point and shoot.
+1
Looks Really nice small body with full control and the F/2 lens!
Yes, this one looks like a winner!
they should have made it a fixed lens
yep – more interesting than the G11.
think I’ll keep my G10 and get one of these.
best of both worlds.
This camera has everything… except HD which is really bad for $430… I’ll skip.
Seems like it’s the same sensor has the G11.
It’s kind of a G11-lite. Looks like the same sensor (MP and size) in a cheaper body and with a similarly unfathomable lack of HD video (or even just a 16:9 aspect ratio).
I have an S70 which still works well (and had an S30 before that) — this is a well thought-out evolution of the S-series and gives you good image quality and a high degree of control in a compact body.
Thumbs-up to Canon for not giving up on the S-series.
The S-series is not focused on video capabilities. There are plenty of other cameras that will give you HD video if that’s your priority.
Sounds perfect for street photography. Looks like this is aimed squarely at the LX3, but I already have one of those so I’ll be skipping ; )
PS
I like the sound of the step zoom. I wish the LX3 had some way of knowing what focal length you were shooting at.
If they had put HD video in it, this would be the #1 camera seller for enthusiasts and pros. As it is, it will still be a good seller, but they could’ve killed the LX3 and other cams dead.
+1 — I can’t stand point and shoots “2.5X” — just give me the 35mm equivalent please!
I really wanted to like this one, but without HD video it doesn’t suit my needs. These specs would have been ideal in 2006.
FART!
who cares about HD, its a camera not a video camera. Next… you’ll want a camera to wipe your ass.
Who makes this new 10MP CCD sensor? Sony?
All the sample images on Canon’s website are at ISO80. It is strange that the PR makes such a big deal of the new high sensitivity sensor and they don’t post a single high ISO image in the sample gallery…
He never said HD video was his priority. Few digital cameras are “focused on video capabilities” yet many of them still have HD video. Obviously there are other choices, but thanks for pointing that out.
If I buy a compact, I do so for compactness. Things become less compact if I have to tote around a video camera in addition to a compact stills camera. I’m not overly upset by the lack of “HD”, but where is the 16:9 ratio to match my telly? Do I need to buy a special anamorphic lens accessory?
not with f2.0…
+1
great spec and everything, but if you offer 640 x 480, why not HD ?
I’m not a big camera guy, but have been considering getting a new camera for a couple years now. I still use an old S410 when I need to take photos.
I saw this camera this morning and thought it’d be perfect. It’s got the advanced features that I’d like to tinker around with and it’s still relatively compact (albeit a bit larger than I would like).
Unfortunately, there’s no HD Video! What is Canon thinking? Why bother with video at all if you’re not going to at least make it 720p? This is a deal breaker for me…I guess I’ll be waiting a while longer.
As in single focal length??? Yeah that’d go over real well.
Just bought a DSLR a few months ago, so the money is tight. But this is the first compact I’ve seen since that I want.
If the low light IQ tests live up to the hype, it looks like the perfect concert camera for the venues where they don’t allow cameras with interchangeable lenses.
More interesting than G11. I guess Canon wants to make the rescucitated S line a chance to survive. Will be waiting for samples before getting one.
I’ll pass on G11.
Hey, do you think it would be worthwhile to trade in my g10 for the S90. I want something with RAW and a few months ago, that meant G10. But this looks much smaller and may be a better choice. Could I get a decent amount of money for my g10 and would this be a reasonable trade?
Canon will sell these by the bucket load. Even the LX3 (which I own, BTW) looks a bit clunky compared to the design of the S90. Wish it had 3:2 aspect ratio though.
Right. So do you want still photography — with real bokeh in a compact camera — or do you want to do video?
It’s as simple as that: Canon doesn’t believe the target audience of this camera is interested in doing video. (And in my personal case, they’re correct.)
If a camera doesn’t have the features you personally are looking for, just buy a different one. That doesn’t mean it’s not going to hit its market sweet spot or be successful.
Not everyone does video. Really.
Again, I will wait for real samples before deciding, but overall this looks good. Except no viewfinder. LCDs suck in bright light.
I wish it had 3:2 as well. I just noticed that going through the specs, a shame…
Hi, based on the specs listed, do you think this is gonna be better than panasonic lx3 in terms of picture quality? i’m considering buying lx3 but then i saw this on the net and now i’m confused. I kinda like it because it’s smaller. not sure about it’s specs and pic quality though. help!
I agree, I would love to pick this up but the lack of HD Video and the high price tag together make me look towards buying something else.
Sony DSC-WX1 perhaps, it does 29 mins of HD MPEG 4 video and costs less. Just hope it has good quality images.
It’s all over! Ken Rockwell over at kenrockwell.com stated this camera, the S90 as the worlds best compact digital camera. Better get yours on pre-order. He has a nice review of the camera as well.
lol if good quality images are secondary, get yourself a video camera.
Silly.
1920×1080=2mp, you have over 12 mp to work with, if you shoot cropped 16:9 you’re probably working with 9mps.
I don’t get the concern?
I want one with HD video! I’m laughing how every 2nd comment is asking for HD video with all the responses that HD video isn’t important…
with entry level slrs so cheap, the only draw of a compact camera is compactness
sorry but being able to take great pics, and 2 minutes videos of my kids with the camera in my pocket is a huge plus….and I don’t want to carry around a video camera too. It would be easier to carry around an hd capable slr than 2 devices – and probably cheaper…!
re: 16:9 aspect ratio
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_s90.asp
according to specs list, that aspect ratio is a low resolution alternative at 3648 x 2048 pixels (7.5MP).
i’m guessing you can set it to RAW + JPEG and compose JPEG at 16:9 and crop accordingly in the RAW conversion.
re: 16:9 aspect ratio
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_s90.asp
according to specs list, that aspect ratio is a low resolution alternative at 3648 x 2048 pixels (7.5MP).
i’m guessing you can set it to RAW + JPEG and compose JPEG at 16:9 and crop accordingly in the RAW conversion.
Does anybody knows whether the flash always pops up when you turn the camera on (like the canon sx200) ?
I find this “feature” really annoying wiht the sx200 …
I also think a fixed lens is nuts. That would be a very small market. If you could swap lenses like a mini-DSRL, you’d lose the small size and add weight. I think Canon has made a good compromise for advanced amateurs or pros who want a pocket size camera and still get some of the features that make the DSLR market so big.
I also have a nice DSLR but want something smaller for the times when lugging a DSLR around is too cumbersome. I’m OK with the video not being HD. If I want awesome photo horsepower I use the DSLR, if I want awesome video horsepower I use the video camera. The S90 is a very pocketable alternative to both, albeit without the absolute quality of the physically larger, purpose built options. Seems fair to me.
The readout rate of the CCD in the S90 is slow, so it can only handle 640×480 at 30fps.
See http://www.sony.net/Products/SC-HP/cx_news/vol57/pdf/icx685cqz.pdf for details.
yes sony. http://www.sony.net/Products/SC-HP/cx_news/vol57/pdf/icx685cqz.pdf
It’s pretty obvious why Canon didn’t provide HD video on the S90. It’s called “planned obsolescence.” By not providing HD, they can launch a S90x 9 months from now and sell the early adopters two cameras instead of just one.
The S90 is looking like the perfect pocket companion to my 40D. When hauling around a DSLR and 4 lenses isn’t practical, this should be perfect.
Great job, Canon!
I have been waiting a long time for a camera like this. Am so upset it doesn’t have a 3:2 aspect ratio too.
I can’t see why it doesn’t.
Could this be changed with a firmware update I wonder?
Now have to hope the next one in this series does. Such an important omission. Argh!
I read online that you can use the other 2 aspect ratios aswell as the 4:3, but at the detriment of less pixels compared to the Panasonic LX3.
I could live with that. Dooes anyone know?
Thanks!!