Canon PowerShot s95 review - general overview

Quick look at the Canon s95 advanced compact point and shoot digital camera.

Close call between the Panasonic Lumix LX5 and the Canon PowerShot s95. I like the wider lens and full HD recording options on the LX5 but the smaller size and better control layout won me over to the s95.

Canon PowerShot s95 specs:

Max resolution 3648 x 2736
Image ratio w:h 4:3, 3:2, 1:1, 4:5, 16:9,
Effective pixels 10.0megapixels
Sensor size 1/1.7 " (7.60 x 5.70 mm, 0.43 cm²)
Pixel density MP/cm²
Sensor type CCD
ISO rating 80 -- 3200
Zoom wide (W) 28mm
Zoom tele (T) 105mm
Digital zoom Yes, 4x
Image stabilization Yes, Lens
Auto Focus AiAF TTL
Manual Focus Yes
Normal focus range 50cm
Macro focus range 5cm
White balance override 7 positions plus manual
Aperture range F2.0 - F4.9
Min shutter 15sec
Max shutter 1/1600sec
Built-in Flash Yes, Pop-up
Flash range 6.5m
External flash No
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Exposure compensation -2 to +2 EV in 1/3 EV steps
Metering Evaluative, Center, Spot
Aperture priority Yes
Shutter priority Yes
Focal length multiplier
Lens thread No
Continuous Drive Yes, 0.9 fps
Movie Clips Yes, 1280 x 720 (24 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Self-timer Yes, 2 or 10 sec, Custom
Storage types SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus card
Uncompressed format Yes, RAW
Quality Levels Fine, Normal
3" LCD 461,000 dots
Live View Yes
USB USB 2.0 (480Mbit/sec)
HDMI Yes
Battery Lithium-Ion NB-6L rechargeable battery & charger
Weight (inc. batteries) 195g
Dimensions 100 x 58 x 30mm (3.9 x 2.3 x 1.2 in)

S95 features a Lens Control Ring that enables control of camera settings such as exposure compensation

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Canon
• PowerShot
• s95
• advanced
• compact
• point
• and
• shoot
• digital
• high
• end
• camera
• Panasonic
• Lumix
• LX5
• direct
• competitor
• comp0arision
• model
• option

[LeGTe4reZine]

can it take video?

[LEXPIX]

@LeGTe4reZine Yes, it can. 

[rileyjsg]

i noticed that the flash doesn't pop up automatically like the sx210 when powered up. i wonder if canon made s95 without that mechanism because of complains about sx210.

[LEXPIX]

@rileyjsg it does pop up on its own. i have it shut off.

[nate42nd]

Nice look at the camera. I have really liked mine. It's sometimes hard to decide between using my 7D or S95. Normally the 7D gets used, but it's nice to have the choice to use this small unit and still have the ability to get RAW images and quality images with HD video. Have a good day.

[LEXPIX]

@nate42nd

Agreed. It is nice to have a camera that fits in your pocket with RAW option and manual controls eh?

[LeGTe4reZine]

@LEXPIX thank you!

[powershotsx130isrevi]

The Canon Powershot s95 is a very decent camera, great camera for first time owners.

[zunervin]

im a newbie in digi cams. can someone tell me is this a good camera for making movie o short clips?

[nate42nd]

@LEXPIX The only bad thing is how fast technology changes. Soon we will want something which has many new features. The Canon S100 will be released or the Canon 7D Mkii, etc. Just 30-40 years ago one could expect to buy a good pro 35mm camera and it would last a lifetime. Now we are tempted with the latest technology.

[LEXPIX]

@AndrewXAnarchy The Nikon flash review was shot with the s95. I may post more video samples though.