S96 Camera-Canon's Next Compact

[tkbslc]

Man add all that crap in and it loses it's main point for existence - an actual easily pocketable camera with great picture quality. If I wanted a kinda small camera with a big sensor that won't fit in my pocket - I already have 10 options.

 

[makeitso]

In all honesty anyone thinking that you can get a APS-C sized sensor in a S95 sized body is living a pipe dream. Even with a pancake fixed focal length lens we're talking about a major size increase unless we're talking 10+ years down the road. The primary practical wishes would be a brighter lens across a similar focal range, tweaked/new sensor of the same size, slightly better ergo's.

If you think about it, the S95 doesn't really have any competition at the moment for it's size range. They could do another 'refresh' instead of a true update like the s90 -> s95 and still sell a ton of cameras. It's the G-series that really needs a nice update that will separate it from the s95/s96 and the new competition of the XZ-1, TL500, LX5, and the P7000 (if they ever fix the handling issues).

 

[blue_skies]

hmm, you are really describing the Fuji X-100, but pockatable it is not . . .

already, the S95 is twice as bulky as my P&S and it barely fits in my pocket.

The NEX is about as small as any APS-C can get and it definitely does not fit in my pocket. The X1 is not small either, and cost a little more than $500, last time I checked.

My P&S (1/2.3") has an f2.8, the S95 (1/1.7") has f2.0 and the NEX (APS-C) has f2.8 (16mm). They are all equiped with IS and high Mp count (10-14Mp). ISO-wise, I'd say that they are useable to: P&S up to 200, S95 up to 800, and NEX up to 3200. Sure, I would like a P&S (even a cell phone - Nokia's N8 has a 1/1.7" sensor ) that performs at 3200 . . . with zoom

We are all happy that the S90/S95 even exist - if you remember, only a few years ago, almost all P&S had a 1/1.7" sensor. The race for compact zoom and superzoom, coupled with noise reduction and IS, enabled the 1/2.3" sensor size to become more popular, with loss of IQ at higher ISO, but so much cheaper to manufacture.

You are asking for a lot - take a closer look at the Fuji-X100. It is as close as you can get to your spec, and it does NOT fit in your pocket. Heck, none of the MFT fits in your pocket either. And none meet your price point either . . .

I do not think that Canon want to upgrade the S90/S95 (evolve maybe, no major spec changes) - they already have the G11/G12 (same sensor). A mirror-less APS-C system would become very similar to the Sony/Fuji approaches, physics are physics. An MFT approach would have some minor size benefits, but then the 'not an APS-C' comment would be heard al-over.

If Canon plans to upgrade the S95 they should consider an APS-C size sensor. Leica did it with the X1. Keep the same F2.0 zoom with macro, upgrade to 1080P video and 12MP. Most people still want a pocketable camera. The Sony NEX cameras are not pocketable especially with the 18-55 zoom. With the pancake lens-maybe. Add some weatherproofing to the S96 camera and you would have the ideal travel camera for most people. I think most people would buy it if it sold for around $500. Let us hope that Canon makes this camera.

 

[Sunny7786]

The new Canon line of powershot HS 12 megapixel cameras announced in mid February 2011 seems to offer a new alternative to the S-95.

Canon has replacxed the CCD detector with a new CMOS detector that allows higher imaging speed - and so these cameras can do 1080p as well as slow motion movies at 240 fps. Canon has labeled this line as "HS" for high sensitivity. I have not seen any comparisons of the noise levels under low light conditions from this camera versus the other powershot cameras. However, the movie capability at 1080p has got to be superior to 720p.

 

[makeitso]

The new Canon line of powershot HS 12 megapixel cameras announced in mid February 2011 seems to offer a new alternative to the S-95.

Canon has replacxed the CCD detector with a new CMOS detector that allows higher imaging speed - and so these cameras can do 1080p as well as slow motion movies at 240 fps. Canon has labeled this line as "HS" for high sensitivity. I have not seen any comparisons of the noise levels under low light conditions from this camera versus the other powershot cameras. However, the movie capability at 1080p has got to be superior to 720p.

The new Canon IXHS 310 is not the replacement for the S-series. The IXHS 310 is just an update to the IXHS 300 (SD4000) and has similar capabilities. Pretty decent for such a small cam in low light with the f/2.0 lens and CMOS sensor. But don't be fooled into thinking the camera has anything to do with the S-series lineup. The current generation 2.3 CMOS sensors don't have the IQ of the 1.7 CCD sensors. The smaller CMOS sensors do pretty well in low light, and do video better but have more noise and lesser IQ. The current CCD's can't process information fast enough thus fast HD video is not possible. However, they do resolve much more detail and tend to have less noise in the current generation.

 

[nellydesign]

I think that's an incorrect assumption. DSLRs offer a lot more benefits besides sensor size or type. That's like saying they would never put the 7D sensor in a cheaper DSLR because that would hurt 7D sales. Yet they do. It just gives them a way to appeal to a wider range of people. You think if they put a DSLR sensor in a compact camera people would stop buying DSLRs? If so then you know nothing about cameras or camera buyers. I would never buy a DSLR. They are too big and bulky for my needs. I would buy a big sensor compact however, because it has what I want. Small size and good IQ. If Canon doesn't do it, someone else will, and they will miss out on that part of the consumer base that won't ever buy a DSLR.

That being said, I agree with an above poster who points out that big sensors need large diameter lenses to expose them. Large diameter lenses = bigger size and weight and lack of collapsibility/built in lens caps. I think the only thing to do is improve smaller sensors to have better quality and light gathering capability and go from there. You can't put DSLR sensors in pocketable cameras because the size needed would make them un-pocketable thus defeating the purpose.

 

[tkbslc]

Those new backlit CMOS sensors can do better than average ISO 400-800, but the problem is the low ISO is compromised. The minimum ISO is usually ISO 125 and it looks all mushy compared to a good CCD like the S90.

They might do better video, but they are no competition to the G12 or S95 for still image quality.