Compared to...

Below you will find a studio comparison between the Sony DSC-S90 and the Canon PowerShot A520. We have included samples for the lowest and highest ISO settings for each camera (S90: ISO 80 and 400, A520: ISO 50 and 400).

Studio scene comparison (Sony DSC-S90 @ ISO 80, Canon A520 @ ISO 50)

• Sony DSC-S90: Program mode, ISO 80, Default Image Parameters,
  Manual white balance (preset), + 1.0EV
  
• Canon PowerShot A520: Aperture Priority mode, ISO 50, Default Image Parameters,
  Manual white balance,
   
• Lighting: Lighting: Daylight simulation, >98% CRI

Note: the Canon A520 shots were taken before we changed the lights in our fixed studio setup. This explains the different exposure values and pattern of reflections.

Sony DSC-S90	Canon PowerShot A520
ISO 80,1/125 sec F3.5	ISO 50,1/80 sec F5
1,772 KB JPEG	967 KB JPEG
Noise, std dev: 1.8	Noise, std dev: 1.7

Although the Sony S90 image has slightly more aggressive reds (and slightly higher overall saturation), there's not a lot between these two models in terms of colour, tonality or noise (hardly surprising given they almost certainly share the same sensor). What is interesting is that - on the evidence of this test (and our resolution chart images) - the Canon lens has a slight edge on the Carl Zeiss optic sported by the S90. It's not a difference you'll really see in a small print, but there is no doubt the A520 is capturing more detail than the S90.