Upgrading from a Canon S90

I love my s90. I especially love the form factor, and the ease of adjusting the settings. (Like aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation.) But it doesn't handle high-contrast scenes as well as my lousy cell-phone camera, so I think it's time to upgrade.

The improvements that would make me happiest are:

• Better dynamic range
• Better macro shots

Other improvements I'd appreciate are:

• Longer battery life
• Easier way to set auto-focus point
• Better near focus in difficult situations. I like to shoot leaves and flowers, but often the camera wants to focus on the twigs the background. I sometimes hold a pen or my finger in the scene to force focus, then remove it to shoot. But that's slow and awkward, especially if there's a breeze.
• A touch wider angle would sometimes be nice
• Better low-light photography, although I have been fairly happy with the s90 for that.
• touch screen controls -- I've gotten used to them on my phone, and like them. But that's not a deal breaker.
• Wireless upload to my phone would be a plus, too.

Also, I am looking for good jpeg files. I do a little post processing in iPhoto, but that's about it. I own Photoshop Elements, and have rarely fiddled with curves or something, but I don't enjoy that. I'm not a professional, and I'm not going to be messing around with RAW files even if they create better images.

The s120 is the obvious option. But despite the size, I am also tempted by the Sony RX100 IV and the Canon G7X. And maybe I should consider the S110?

Any advise?

Having previously owned the s100. I sold it to purchase an RX100 1st generation. While I did enjoy it the photos were no better in my opinion and for my purpose than the s100 I sold.

I recently sold the rx100 and purchased a $129 s110 on the canon website. I really like this camera and its size.

This ones a keeper.

PuzzleGal wrote:

I am also tempted by the Sony RX100 IV and the Canon G7X.

Bingo.  G7X sounds like it was made just for you!

R2

I have the s95. It's one of the best in its class, in my opinion. I recently bought the Sony RX100, as well. I really wish that Canon would put out a one-inch sensor in the s95 size. I like the build of the Canon camera better; and the color rendition. Some of the features are more easily reached, too; without so much "menu" to scan through. But, you sure can't beat the 1" sensor resolution advantage the Sony has.

Island Golfer wrote:

I have the s95. It's one of the best in its class, in my opinion. I recently bought the Sony RX100, as well. I really wish that Canon would put out a one-inch sensor in the s95 size. I like the build of the Canon camera better; and the color rendition. Some of the features are more easily reached, too; without so much "menu" to scan through. But, you sure can't beat the 1" sensor resolution advantage the Sony has.

My impression was that the G7X was pretty much the s95 (or s120, or whichever it came out with) with a one-inch sensor, and the larger sensor requires a larger body to work properly. Am I missing something?

The G7X and the RX100 family seem similar. The G7X would have more familiar controls to me, and perhaps simpler controls. The RX100 is supposedly easier to focus (faster auto focus, better manual focus). The RX100 has an EVF, which I might be aging into needing -- for the first time this summer, I found the screen on my S90 hard to read. Getting old sucks. The RX100 also has a less sucky batter life, I believe. Most of the other differences between the two larger cameras are small, or don't matter to me, I think. (I don't shoor much video, I don't shoot RAW.)  I guess I am leaning towards the RX series, although I'm afraid I'll miss the Canon interface, which I really like. Also, the RX100 IV is REALLY pricey.

But the big competitor is the S120, which has such a wonderful form factor....

How much difference do you think there is in the photo quality? Ease of use? Pocketability?

PuzzleGal wrote:

My impression was that the G7X was pretty much the s95 (or s120, or whichever it came out with) with a one-inch sensor

The G7X will walk all over the S95 IMHO.

and the larger sensor requires a larger body to work properly. Am I missing something?

S90 dimensions: 2.30 x 3.94 x 1.22 inches.

G7X dimensions: 2.36 x 4.06 x 1.57 inches.

That's a 1/8 inch increase in height and width, and about 1/3 inch in thickness (sizes taken fro @mazon spec lists).

BTW the RX100 is 2.29 x 4.00 x 1.41 inches (but doesn't have a touchscreen).

The G7X and the RX100 family seem similar. The G7X would have more familiar controls to me, and perhaps simpler controls.

You'll have to play with both to see which you prefer.

The RX100 is supposedly easier to focus (faster auto focus, better manual focus).

The AF is great on my RX100M2.

The RX100 has an EVF, which I might be aging into needing -- for the first time this summer, I found the screen on my S90 hard to read. Getting old sucks. The RX100 also has a less sucky batter life, I believe. Most of the other differences between the two larger cameras are small, or don't matter to me, I think. (I don't shoor much video, I don't shoot RAW.) I guess I am leaning towards the RX series, although I'm afraid I'll miss the Canon interface, which I really like. Also, the RX100 IV is REALLY pricey.

Again, I think playing with them will push you one way or the other.

One note: I added the little Sony add-on grip to my RX100M2 and it absolutely transforms the handling.

But the big competitor is the S120, which has such a wonderful form factor....

Know what you mean.  I gave up my miniscule T-Series Sony (truly a shirt-pocket form factor at .71 inches thick) for a larger camera.  For me the IQ benefits far outweigh the bump up in size though (I use a small Op/Tech pouch to carry it in).

How much difference do you think there is in the photo quality?

Depends on what you want to do with your images.  The larger you print (or the more you crop), the more IQ you'll need.

At low ISO these cameras are darn near as good as my (APS-C) DSLR.

Ease of use? Pocketability?

You'll have to try them out to see if they'll suit you.  Everyone has their preferences/limits

Myself, I much prefer the controls of my G3X than the Sony, but I don't find that it's limiting me.

Good luck in your quest!

R2

J_dpr wrote:

Nicely done Jan.

Maybe see if you can clone out that OOF rock in the foreground (then it'll surely be a wall-hanger).  Note: I know you likely left it in there to demonstrate the short DOF. 

R2

PuzzleGal wrote:

I love my s90. I especially love the form factor, and the ease of adjusting the settings. (Like aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation.) But it doesn't handle high-contrast scenes as well as my lousy cell-phone camera, so I think it's time to upgrade.

The improvements that would make me happiest are:

• Better dynamic range
• Better macro shots

Other improvements I'd appreciate are:

• Longer battery life
• Easier way to set auto-focus point
• Better near focus in difficult situations. I like to shoot leaves and flowers, but often the camera wants to focus on the twigs the background. I sometimes hold a pen or my finger in the scene to force focus, then remove it to shoot. But that's slow and awkward, especially if there's a breeze.
• A touch wider angle would sometimes be nice
• Better low-light photography, although I have been fairly happy with the s90 for that.
• touch screen controls -- I've gotten used to them on my phone, and like them. But that's not a deal breaker.
• Wireless upload to my phone would be a plus, too.

Also, I am looking for good jpeg files. I do a little post processing in iPhoto, but that's about it. I own Photoshop Elements, and have rarely fiddled with curves or something, but I don't enjoy that. I'm not a professional, and I'm not going to be messing around with RAW files even if they create better images.

The s120 is the obvious option. But despite the size, I am also tempted by the Sony RX100 IV and the Canon G7X. And maybe I should consider the S110?

Any advise?

Don't rule out the RX100 III as its a bit cheaper and still delivers same benefits as the IV (that you care about).  Its also a little smaller than the G7X.

I'm finding the EVF invaluable in bright conditions outdoors.   It doesn't have touch screen or easy way to set autofocus (focus and recompose works fine with this much DOF) but it is great at everything else.  I don't know if the G7X has better LCD screen in bright conditions but if its similar to the RX100 III I strongly recommend getting a model with EVF (unless you don't tend to shoot much outdoors in bright conditions).

All take good IQ pictures so there isn't a wrong decision.