Initial Canon S90is (P)review
If you've ended up here on NODSLR's you are obviously a camera junkie. Chances are that you have also read The Online Photographers Camera of the year 2009. If not, click here and read it.
I am a bit surprised that only one larger DSLR cameras were on the list. Amazing. I'd say proof that the camera world is anxious to embrace non DSLR cameras. As I read the story, I can say I related to all of the stories and reasons given.
In my last post, I shared some of the cameras that I thought stood out and made an impact in 2009. Today, I share my thoughts on a feature that I think could change small and serious cameras. I am talking about the programable lens ring on the Canon S90is.
When I first read about this feature back at the release of the Canon G11 and S90is, I thought it was a little hokey. In fact, I remember thinking it was a gimmick. However, after just a little bit of use, I think it is a stand out feature. In fact, I think it could be the stand out "feature" of any camera released in 2009.
I recently sold my beloved Panasonic LX3. I sold it for various reasons but shortly after selling it, I found myself still wishing to have a true small camera. I considered buying another LX3 as I've frequently stated that I took more "good" pictures with the LX3 than any camera I have ever owned. It is that good. But....Because I am a gear guy, I decided to pick up a Canon S90IS.
Why did I pick an S90IS over purchasing another LX3?
- Price - The S90IS is significantly (to me) cheaper than the Panasonic LX3. Although prices have been dropping quickly on the LX3.
- No hotshoe - I don't need it and those features on the top of the LX3 make it just a tad cumbersome to remove from my pocket or pack while doing other activities.
- Try something new - I fiddled with it a bit at the store and quickly found that the S90IS is really well thought out and functional.
So....After a few hundred shots, here is my initial preview of the Canon S90IS
- Lens ring - I love the lens ring. Canon nailed it with this feature. I shoot in A mode and use the lens ring for exposure compensation. I love this because it's winter here in MN right now and I can quickly adjust the exposure even with large and warm gloves on. Even with gloves it's easy to turn, control and set for my desired exposure.
- Simply an awesome little camera. I'm still getting used the menu and controls as I was really dialed with the LX3's toggle button and menu system.
- Size is incredible and I truly take it with me everywhere with zero penalty.
- Image quality - I've only shot at ISO 80 and 100 but have found with the bright lens, I like it. I've only shot JPEG because if I want a specific image or need a really high quality image, I carry my other camera.
- I miss the dynamic black and white setting of the Panasonic LX3. Sure I can pretty much duplicate that look and feel, but Panasonic has the setting dialed. I find I don't shoot black and white with the small Canon.
- I wish it had just a bit more grip. I'm going to try a custom Franiec grip and anticipate that will solve my problem. I just want a bit more grip as I often grab my camera from my bag while riding or hiking and want just a little extra firmness and contact for the "grab".
- I'm still adjusting to the top zoom control.
- Dynamic Range doesn't feel quite as good as the Panasonic. I'm not getting much out of playing with saturation, clarity or other adjustments in Lightroom. It's pretty good though right out of the camera and I don't need to adjust much.
So...There is the initial preview. After a 1000 shots or so I will do a bit more of a review. Here is one of my favorite shots I've taken with the S90is. Had I not had this camera I would have missed this shot altogether. I got this shot because I threw it in my pocket.
Stay tuned this week. I will be outlining some changes later this week to the NoDSLR's site.
Canon S90is in Canon, Canon S90is
Reader Comments (10)
great shot above. have you any regrets on not buying another lx3? or are you feeling "been there, done that...s90 is working out just fine."
after hours of research on the net and checking out the cameras in store twice now...i'm still debating. big highlights: s90 lens ring, lx3 the grip/feel. needlessly annoying: s90 not having hd video, lx3's non-sensical lens cap.
image wise...i've seen several sets of test shots and still there's no clear winner, ie both great and ultimately camera would be less of a deciding factor than the photographer. generally, canon's images seem better on screen, but i've heard panasonic prints better than its digital images. one criticism of s90 is that it produces slightly softer images. did you find this ?
any more thoughts you may have would be greatly appreciated!!
Magic, good day and thank you for the comment and questions?
My feedback and answers for you are similar to what you have found. I do not think there is a clear or decisive winner between the LX3 and the S90. Both are amazing small cameras with similar capabilities. To date, the LX3 is my favorite camera I have ever owned. We'll see over time how the S90 fares.
Thus far, I still think that the Panasonic produces better images easier. That is my experience. In addition, I also feel like the files respond better in Lightroom. I shoot jpeg with my small cameras as if I need something better, I will carry a camera with a larger sensor and IQ. I don't really have the tools to campare actual images, it's just my feeling.
But...That does not mean I have not been able to get good results with the S90. In fact, I've gotten some very, very good images. I am still taking images and will post a gallery in the next week or two.
The grip - Right now I can say that the LX3 is the clear winner here. I love how my LX3 felt in the hand. I will be putting on my Franiec S90 grip later this week. I will post up my thoughts after that too.
Overall, I see the two pretty balanced. I like the Canon for its size and features. I like the Panasonic for its elegance and it's image quality.
I will say this though. If I could only own one camera, I would choose the LX3 with the threaded Lensmate adapter. It's feature set with hot shoe and video are just spot on. I think it gives the overall best value and options. For me, the lenscap was a drainer and I didn't want to create my own solution.
But for me and my use, I think the S90 is just smidge better. It's smaller, it's very functional, takes great images and can be operated easily with gloves on (remember, I live in MN)
Hope this helps and feel free to ask more questions.
Hi,
Thanks for your thoughts, I think somehow that the lx3 has an obvious advantage, the fact that it has a clearly better burst mode: around 2 fps (in raw mode), and up to 6 fps for smaller size jpgs, I see this as a really important feature especially if street photography is your thing, being able to capture "the" shot. Could you describe if you were somehow frustrated by the lack (well 1 fps) of burst power for the s90?
Ryadh - Thanks for the comment. If burst rate is important for you or others, then yes the burst rate of the LX3 is clearly an advantage.
For me, burst rate does not matter as that is not really needed for how I use and shoot a camera.
I don't get the bashing of the LX3 lens cap. I see it on every blog and in every review. But yet in the same reviews, the LX3 is heralded as the "photographer's" compact - the compact that DSLR users will use when they don't want to carry their big, heavy, cameras, and I don't doubt that's true. But I haven't read any complaints about having to remove the lens caps on said DSLRs, so why the LX3? In my mind, it offers far superior protection to the built in caps of most P&S's - pick up one, gently touch the blades of the built in caps and see how easily they move out of the way. Now imagine your camera bouncing about in your bag; what could be hitting it and doing the same?
For me, I have no issue with lens caps on my SLR's, DSLR's, or LX3. Don't like it dangling on the little string? Me neither, so I don't use it -- the cap just goes back in the pocket...
Thanks for your reply, the burst rate matters to me so I will take it as a pro.
Now I noticed some really nice feature that the lx3 doesn't have: Focus bracketing, there you go, another pro for the s90.
few more for the lx3:
voice annotation (5 seconds)
one shot focus (in manual focus, useful for prefocus)
in-camera noise reduction can be controlled
1st and 2nd curtain flash sync
I am not trying to make you go back to the lx3 but hey, just sharing :D
Cap, thanks for the comment. It is interesting, but for me and how I use a small camera it is important. I often shoot while riding my bike. Shooting with the S90 is a one handed operation. Shooting with the LX3 it is a two handed operation. This means I need to take my hands off the handle bar.
However, in every other situation other than shooting while riding my bike, the lens cap did not bother me and I agree with you.
Ryadh - thanks again. So far I'm happy with the decision. Time will tell.
The taken pics are quite nice, I've seen amazing stuff done with basic gear so ultimately, as everyone knows, it's just a tool.
A tool. So true. The challenge is getting through all the varied views and opinions and finding the features, function and performance that match your needs. Then the "tool" can become something more.
Go to http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM if you want to compare images from the two cameras.
Also see http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/PS90/PS90A.HTM for a review of the s90. On http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/PS90/PS90A5.HTM they discuss the 90 vs lx3 regarding in-camera sharpening. I just found out that they cut the price on s90 with more than 100 US$. I'll give it a go :-)