10.0-megapixel, high-sensitivity sensor

The new 10.0-megapixel, high-sensitivity sensor was developed with the latest technology to make it dramatically more sensitive than previous sensors. The improved sensor sensitivity allows photographers to shoot and record images at the same ISO settings, but with less noise than previous models.

High-quality 3.8x zoom lens with a lens-shift image stabilizer

We developed a new f/2.0 (wide) – f/4.9 (tele) 3.8x zoom lens with a 35mm-equivalent focal length range of 28 – 105mm especially for the PowerShot S90. The lens is constructed with seven elements in six groups, including two double-sided molded aspherical elements, one using UA glass. The inclusion of high-refraction and high-dispersion glass achieves superb aberration correction. The lens design has also been optimized to virtually eliminate aberration fluctuations during image stabilization.

The PowerShot S90 is particularly good at shooting blur-free photos in low-light situations because of its high-sensitivity sensor and its fast f/2.0 lens at the wide-angle end.

Lens-shift image stabilizer

To minimize the effects of camera shake on image quality while shooting ,the S90 is equipped with a lens-shift image stabilizer.. With its redesigned gyrosensor and control circuitry, the S90’s stabilizer gives the photographer as much as a four-stop gain in shutter speed.

RAW support

In answer to the requests of professionals and advanced amateurs alike, the PowerShot S90 has the RAW mode found on the PowerShot G series cameras. It uses the CR2 RAW format, which represents a large gain in usability because the format is also employed on our EOS Digital cameras and can be processed using Digital Photo Professional.

Servo AF/AE

We introduced Servo AF in our autumn 2008 models. The Servo AF mode tracks the subject even if it moves as long as the shutter button is held halfway down.

The PowerShot S90 improves on the previous Servo AF’s functionality by implementing full-time AE while Servo AF is active.

DIGIC 4 provides high-quality image processing

High-precision AE and AWB using iSAPS technology

Step Zoom

The Step Zoom feature enables the photographer to stop the zoom at preset focal lengths. The preset focal lengths are 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, and 105mm (35mm-film equivalents), which are typical of prime interchangeable lenses for SLR cameras and which include the maximum wide-angle and telephoto focal lengths.

Step Zoom gives the sense of switching between prime lenses while shooting.

Full Auto

We introduced the “full” Auto shooting mode, which is a marked improvement over past Auto shooting modes, with our 2009 models. The full Auto mode accurately judges the shooting scene and applies the appropriate image processing for that scene through a combination of our previous face-detection technology and motion-detection technology and our new scene-detection technology.

To indicate to the user which scene the camera has detected, the LCD monitor displays special color-coded scene icons (Table 1).

The PowerShot S90 delivers even better scene-detection performance in the Auto mode and tracks the movement of faces more closely within the frame. After detecting a face in the frame and then determining that the face is moving, the camera will continue to adjust the focus and exposure on the face until the shutter button is fully depressed.

This means fewer missed photo opportunities because the camera continues to focus from the time the subject is framed until the moment the image is captured.

Table 1: Detected-scene icons used in the Auto shooting mode

Low Light shooting mode

The Low Light shooting mode replaces the previous ISO 3200 mode. Since the S90’s maximum ISO speed has been boosted to 12,800, the Low Light mode has been designed to automatically adjust the ISO speed between 320 and 12,800 by factoring in the ambient brightness, subject movement, and camera shake.

As a result, the Low Light mode can accommodate a wide range of shooting conditions from low-light scenes to normally lit scenes. Note that in this mode the recorded image size is fixed at 1824×1368 pixels, or about 2.5 megapixels.

Nostalgic scene mode

The S90 comes with a new Nostalgic scene mode. This mode simulates through image processing the distinctive color, contrast, and roughness of aged photos, so users can obtain photos that appear to have aged years or decades.

By turning the control ring, the user can select from five effect levels and check the effect on the LCD monitor while shooting (Photo 3).

Photo 3: Nostalgic mode effect levels

Adjustable AF frame size

Safety FE avoids blown highlights during flash photography

My Colors customization

Selectable first/second-curtain flash synchronization

Real-time histogram

Focus bracketing/AE bracketing

3.0-inch LCD monitor with 461,000 pixels

The S90 is fitted with the same bright, 3.0-inch, 461,000-pixel LCD monitor as the PowerShot G10.

The monitor has a wide viewing angle, excellent color reproduction, and multicoat processing that gives exceptionally high contrast even when viewed at an angle.

On-screen tips

Customizable My Menu screen for frequently used shooting options

Range-specified bulk printing and deleting

Shutter sounds are linked to the actual shutter speed

Playback button

Customizable info display

Add images to the DPOF print list

Users can quickly add an image to the print list during playback by pressing the Direct Print button.

After connecting the camera to a printer, instructions will appear on the monitor. By following the instructions, the user can easily print images from the print list.

Supports PictBridge

Able to enjoy the Canon iMAGE GATEWAY Web site

Waterproof case

The WC-DC35 waterproof case (sold separately) allows the S90 to be used underwater to depths of 40 meters.

This concludes our look at the PowerShot S90 this month.

Table 4 lists the camera’s main specifications, and Photo 6 illustrates the kit components that come with the camera. There is no fixed retail price suggested for the PowerShot S90.