Canon PowerShot S95

Fresh off reviewing the Panasonic LX5, I'm impressed by the similarities between it and the Canon PowerShot S95. Both have a 3.8x, f/2.0, image-stabilized lens, a 3-inch LCD, a 10-megapixel sensor, a pop-up flash, a zoom toggle surrounding the shutter button, and more dials than the average pocket digital camera. Of course, there are differences as well. The Canon S95's focal length ranges from 28-105mm, while the LX5's covers a wider 24-90mm. The S95's LCD is a 4:3 aspect ratio, while the LX5's is 3:2. The Canon S95 is also smaller and has no hot shoe, while it does have a unique reprogrammable front Control Ring. They are both aimed at the premium pocket market, and also differ only slightly from their predecessors. For its part, the Canon S95 is improved in some important ways. *Look and feel*. Canon did a great job making the S95 compact, yet with a bright lens and larger sensor than the average digital camera. Dressed all in black, the boldest element of the Canon S95 is the bright white Canon logo, embossed just as it is on the company's digital SLRs. Everything else appears military-grade, designed for stealth, perfect for street photography. Even the S95 logo the font around the lens barrel are a dark gray, unlike the S90's bright white. Other than that, little has changed on the front of the S95, except that the microphone hole has been replaced with microphone holes at the lower left and right of the lens to accommodate the Canon S95's stereo audio recording with the new 720p HD movie mode. Read full review ...

The Canon PowerShot S90 was already an impressive camera, and the S95 is a nice upgrade that adds some useful new features. The basics haven't changed; the S95 has the same 10 Megapixel, high sensitivity CCD, fast 3.8X optical zoom lens, and customizable controls of its predecessor. New features include an improved image stabilization system, useful HDR and shadow/highlight correction options, and a 720p movie mode. The S95 also retains many of the annoyances of the PowerShot S90, which include so-so ergonomic and below average battery life. Even with a few flaws, the S95 is a great choice for those who want a capable low light camera that can go anywhere you do. Read full review ...

Canon's PowerShot S95 subtly builds upon its predecessor to deliver one of the most compelling pocket cameras for enthusiasts. The core specification hasn't changed, but a selection of minor upgrades address some of the issues facing the earlier S90, while others take inspiration from the best of the competition, most notably its major rival from Panasonic. So with the PowerShot S95 you're still getting a sensible 10 Megapixel sensor, brighter than average 28-105mm lens and detailed 3in... Read full review ...