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<td><a href="http://thebeginnerslens.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/canon-s90.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1111" title="Canon Powershot S90" src="http://thebeginnerslens.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/canon-s90.jpg" alt="canon-s90-compact-camera" width="320" height="220" /></a></td>
<td>The CANON POWERSHOT S90 is one of the most pocket-friendly cameras in the market today. Its sophisticated  design is eye-candy for users who want a stylish compact camera. Experienced photographers will be delighted with the well-thought out camera controls. Its accompanying lens does lack range but its a decent trade off given the S90’s ability to perform incredibly well in dimly lit areas.</td>
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Let's get to the gist of it in the tabs below.

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[tabhead id="1"]  Overview  [/tabhead] [tabhead id="2"]  Cheers  [/tabhead] [tabhead id="3"]  Jeers  [/tabhead] [tabhead id="4"]  Who is it for?  [/tabhead] [tabhead_last id="5"]  The Verdict  [/tabhead_last]  [tab id="1"]  [list style="orb" color="grey"]
<ul>
	<li>Launched in August 2009</li>
	<li>Comes with 3.80x optical zoom (28mm-105mm) f/2.0 - f/4.9  with image stabilization</li>
	<li>10 megapixels</li>
	<li>3-inch PureColor System LCD</li>
	<li>30 fps VGA movie mode</li>
	<li>Successor to the Powershot S80 which was released in 2005</li>
	<li>Retail price of around US $370</li>
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[/list]  [/tab] [tab id="2"] [list style="orb" color="grey"]
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	<li>Lightweight and pocketable</li>
	<li>Classy design</li>
	<li>Well thought-out camera controls</li>
	<li>No camera button clutter</li>
	<li>Good performer in low-light conditions</li>
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[/list]  [/tab] [tab id="3"]  [list style="orb" color="grey"]
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	<li>No HD movie option</li>
	<li>Poor ergonomics - slightly uncomfortable to hold</li>
	<li>Poor flash performance</li>
	<li>Slow overall</li>
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[/list]  [/tab] [tab id="4"]
 Proud beginner
 Casual photographer
<strong>√ Point &amp; shoot photo fan</strong>
 DSLR photo fan
 Advanced photographer

Feature-wise, the CANON S90 is geared towards serious enthusiasts looking for a very compact yet functional everyday camera as an occasional replacement to more advanced equipment.[/tab] [tab id="5"]CANON POWERSHOT S90 is a lightweight pocket-sized camera which offers great photographic control that can produce appealing photos. Ultimately, it is an awesome camera in one tiny package.
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<strong>Build Quality &amp; Design: </strong><strong>Very pocketable camera with minimalist design but no grip.</strong>

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Looking very sleek and classy, the CANON POWERSHOT S90 sports an all-black body with a minimalistic design. Its metal and plastic built body has a smooth finish making it easy to slip into your pocket. Though the S90 is not the slimmest and lightest compact in the market, it is comfortable enough to carry. The back has a 3-inch LCD, which <a href="http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/PS90/PS90A.HTM">Imaging-resource</a> praised for displaying “vibrant color that beats most digital camera LCDs.”

The S90 features a small popup flash located at the upper left portion of the camera that rises and falls with a motorized mechanism. The flash is both manual and automatic popping up when the shooting condition requires additional light from the flash. However, the S90 does not have a flash hot shoe to accommodate external flash.

Another serious note to consider is the lack of grip on the S90’s body. This may pose a challenge to those who like shooting with one hand only as it may feel slippery to handle. Additionally, the camera’s design makes it somewhat uncomfortable to hold. For instance, the flash can be inadvertently blocked by a misplaced finger.

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<strong>Controls &amp; Ergonomics: Has impressive camera controls but poor ergonomics. </strong>

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One of the welcome additions to the S90 is the intuitive Control Ring in the front of the camera around the base of the lens which you can use to adjust the settings of your exposure, white balance, and zoom, among others. This dedicated control ring will definitely catch the eye of advanced photographers since it will dramatically cut their time tweaking the camera settings.

However, many camera review sites such as <a href="http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_s90-review/compare">DCResource</a> complained about the poor ergonomics of the S90. The four-way controller wheel at the back moves so smoothly that one can inadvertently change an important setting, like the flash, when taking a photo. As <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons90/page19.asp">DPReview</a> suggested, it is more ideal to set the camera to full auto mode when you are just taking snapshots so as to disable the controller wheel.

If you are the type of photographer who hates button clutter, the CANON POWERSHOT S90 is the camera for you. But there are a few buttons which are unsuitably placed, one of which is the Power button which is situated too far to the left and should have been placed where the Ring function is placed. Most shooters have the tendency to mistakenly press the Ring function button when turning the camera on/off.

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<strong>Shooting Performance: Average response time, poor in fast-paced action but good in low light.</strong>

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In terms of timing and performance, the CANON POWERSHOT S90 is your typical compact camera which has a slow to moderate speed. Based on the test done by <a href="http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/PS90/PS90A6.HTM">Imaging-resource</a>, it takes 2.1 seconds for the camera to turn on and be ready for the first shot and 1.5 seconds to shut down. The shutter lag when pre-focused is 0.08 seconds and 0.43 and 0.49 seconds for autofocus in wide and telephoto ranges, respectively.

What is actually more disappointing is the fact that the S90 can only shoot 1 frame per second, thus it is not ideal for shooting fast-paced action. Canon has also opted not to add high-definition video recording as the S90 is only capable of shooting in VGA movie mode.

However, one of the most noticeable bright spots on the S90 is its ability to perform well in dimly-lit shooting conditions. It has a rather large sensor for a compact camera, a fast DIGIC 4 processor, an f/2.0-4.9 lens to boot, and ISO range from 80 to 3,200. The S90 can produce usable photos captured between ISO 80 to 800. At ISO 1,600 and 3,200, but you will need to spend a bit of time post processing your photos.

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<strong>Image Quality: Produces good photos across all lighting conditions.</strong>

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The CANON POWERSHOT S90 rarely disappoints when it comes to image quality. It is very capable of producing well-exposed photos under different lighting conditions, be it outdoors or indoors. Thanks to its superb f/2.0 lens; the S90 can give you sharp photos in dimly lit areas. As noted by <a href="http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-reviews/canon/powershot-s90/steves-conclusion-30.html">Steves-digicams</a>, the S90 produces natural colors depending on your exposure mode. For example, the S90 produces photos with more vivid colors in Auto mode than in Program mode.

Overall, the S90 will produce pleasing, crisp images with considerably good color and contrast.

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<strong>Special Features: Control Ring.</strong>

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The more experienced photographer will be pleased with the S90’s dedicated control ring for various shooting functions. All you need to do to set it up is to assign a function to each ring and start shooting. This can dramatically reduce the time fiddling with the camera, so you've got the time you need to compose your shots. This feature is a breath of fresh air, revolutionizing standard compact camera controls giving them that manual control feel.

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<strong>The Beginners' Lens Ratings</strong>

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This table will help you evaluate the usefulness of a camera according to various photographic situations. These ratings are based on our photographers’ experience, taking into consideration the features and reviewed performances of the camera:

•	1 flash is a poor performance;
•	5 flashes herald a stellar performance.

The notes column features observations from advanced photographers. Feel free to agree/disagree in the comments below.
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<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;"><strong>Photo Type</strong></td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;"><strong>Camera Rating</strong></td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;"><strong>Notes</strong></td>
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<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">Action / Children</td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">2 flashes</td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">The S90 is not your best bet for shooting action photos with its slow 1 frame per second continuous shooting.</td>
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<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">Landscape / Architecture</td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">3.5  flashes</td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">The wide end of the S90’s lens can produce admirable landscape photos.</td>
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<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">Low light</td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">3.5 flashes</td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">The S90 will perform suitably well under low light conditions; thanks to its commendable ISO performance and great lens.</td>
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<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">Portrait</td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">3.5 flashes</td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">With its high performing sensor and bright 2.0 lens, the S90 can make your subject pop out more from the background.</td>
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<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">Rough conditions</td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">2 flashes</td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">The S90’s metal/plastic slippery body is not something you would want to bring along if you will be shooting under rough conditions.</td>
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<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">Safari-like</td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">2 flashes</td>
<td style="border: 0px solid #e08270;">Though the S90 has a reliable image stabilization system especially in the long end of the zoom, its limited zoom range of 28 – 105mm is a serious limit  to consider when shooting distant subjects.</td>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>CATEGORY		:	Compact</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>TOTAL RATING	:	16.50/ 30</strong></p>
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<strong>The Verdict (Extended version)</strong>

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The CANON POWERSHOT S90 is a lightweight pocket-sized camera which offers great photographic control and applaudable image quality. It is an awesome camera in one tiny package.

The absence of flash hot shoe and HD video recording may be a deal breaker for some, and many camera review sites have criticized the S90 for its lack of grip. Without having an added finger grip at the front, the S90 feels less secure in the hands. There is an available third-party grip, but it will cost you an additional US $30 – 40.

Overall, considering its first-rate performance in low light, fast f/2.0 lens, advanced photographic functionality, and ability to produce sharp photos, the CANON POWERSHOT S90 deserves a serious consideration from those looking for a great walk-around compact camera.

If a flash hot shoe and HD video recording matter to you, you may consider looking at Panasonic LX3 – another compact camera which offers great photos in low light but includes both of the features you may be looking for. But of course, you will have to pay for those extra features, stretching your budget a bit.

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<strong>Review Digest</strong>

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<td style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;"><strong>CAMERA REVIEW WEBSITE</strong></td>
<td style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;"><strong>WHAT THEY HAVE TO  SAY</strong></td>
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<td style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;"><strong><a rel="shadowbox;width=1000;height=640" href="http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/PS90/PS90A.HTM">Imaging-resource.com</a></strong></td>
<td style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;">“Canon gets extremely close to the ideal pocket camera with the PowerShot S90, close enough that a great majority of users will be extremely happy with it.”</td>
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<td style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;"><strong><a rel="shadowbox;width=1000;height=640" href="http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_PowerShot_S90/verdict.shtml">Cameralabs.com</a></strong></td>
<td style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;">“Canon’s PowerShot S90 is an ideal choice for enthusiasts who want a pocket camera without compromising on control and features.”</td>
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<td style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;"><strong><a rel="shadowbox;width=1000;height=640" href="http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons90/page19.asp">DPReview.com</a></strong></td>
<td style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;">“The S90 offers an appealing combination of compact styling, photographic functionality and powerful control.”</td>
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<td style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;"><strong><a rel="shadowbox;width=1000;height=640" href="http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-reviews/canon/powershot-s90/steves-conclusion-30.html">Steves-digicams.com</a></strong></td>
<td style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;">"The S90 is a welcomed addition to a long forgotten line of versatile PowerShot models. This high-end camera has loads of exposure control to offer, along with the ability to capture pleasing photos.”</td>
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<td style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;"><strong><a rel="shadowbox;width=1000;height=640" href="http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/canon_powershot_s90_review/conclusion/">Photographyblog.com</a></strong></td>
<td style="border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;">“…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.”</td>
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