By David Elrich What’s In The Box
The PowerShot S95 comes with a battery, plug-in charger, USB and A/V cables, as well as a CD-ROM with software to handle images and develop RAW files.
Performance and Use
Before getting into the results, lets state the S95 has a slightly different button layout than the typical digicam, so when you think you’re pressing the shutter, it’s really the mode dial. This didn’t take long to overcome, nor does learning to keep your left forefinger off of the auto pop-up flash. Onscreen menus are easy to follow, but you definitely should download the manuals to appreciate the control dial options, since they’ll really help you expand your photographic horizons. Also, the camera is a slow shooter — around 1.9 frames per second — so don’t expect to capture running children or football action. If you want truly fast frames per second, check out the Sony SLT-A55V, one of our new favorites. Now, on to the images.
Naturally, we shot highest resolution 3648 x 2736 pixel JPEGs, and used the RAW option as well. We started off in auto, then spun the mode dial for other options including low light mode, which can bump ISO to 12,800 (the auto range is 80 to 3200, with many more stops than the typical digicam; the same holds true for aperture and shutter speed). Once finished, we made a many prints, examined the files closely on a monitor and watched the HD clips on a 50-inch plasma screen via HDMI.
Just like the S90, we were really knocked out by the lack of noise of our standard test subject. ISO 1600 was fairly clear, and even 3200 are very useable, something impossible to state with most point-and-shots, even some DSLRs. We took a number of evening shots at a picnic, and the bright lens “lit” the people and tables far better than another camera we had with us — an older Canon DSLR. As for the low light mode, Canon suggests using it with a birthday cake and candles. We used a single candle in a dark room and the results were excellent, even for 2.5 megapixels (we easily made 8.5 x 11 prints). Overall, colors were very accurate, the good Canon feel we like so much. The only disappointment was the slow shot-to-shot speed. The photos more than made up for this weakness.
The S95 takes 720p HD movies, and the quality is just OK, with lots of noise during interior clips, but with enough outdoor light, they’re acceptable — nothing more. AVCHD is our benchmark, and this camera doesn’t hit it. On a plus side, the sound is fairly robust, given the pinhole mic, and it plays back in stereo.
Conclusion
Just like the last year’s S90, we have no problems recommending the new S95, other than the issues detailed. It has tweaks galore, we really like the control ring, and the photo quality is top notch. There’s still the issue of speed, but that’s a problem shared by almost all point-and-shoots. We found ourselves using the S95 more than the DSLR we carried to compare, but when it came to sports, the larger camera got the call with its faster burst mode. If you keep that shortcoming in mind, you’ll be quite happy with the PowerShot S95.
Highs:
- Excellent low-light shooter
- Better than usual Canon point-and-shoot photos
- Extensive photo adjustments via control dials
- Excellent LCD screen
Lows:
- Button placement takes getting used to
- Slow fps; not a camera for action shooters
- Low battery life
