Canon S90 vs Canon EOS M

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Canon S90 vs Canon EOS M

Leave Feedback

1/1.7 inch 43.3mm²
10.0 megapixels
28.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon S90 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the S90.

APS-C 332.3mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Canon EOS M Review.
How does it shoot? Canon EOS M in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the EOS M.
Compare Canon EOS M image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon EOS M conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon S95
Compare S90 vs S95

Succeeded by the Canon EOS M3
Compare EOS M vs EOS M3

Compare CANON S95 vs CANON EOS M3

Buy From

Differences

Canon S90 advantages over Canon EOS M

Less expensive
$430 vs $600 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Higher max flash sync
1/500 vs 1/200 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Less shutter lag
0.43 vs 0.74 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 13 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon EOS M advantages over Canon S90

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/1.7 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.30 vs 2.08 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
EOS M test data on DxO Mark S90 test data on DxO Mark

827 vs 185 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Manual focus
Yes vs No
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More dots on screen
1040k vs 461k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
18.0 vs 10.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Longer exposure
30 vs 15 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
4.2 fps vs 0.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/1600 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon S90

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon EOS M

Review Excerpt

Read our Canon S90 Review

Excellent image quality similar to Rebel T4i, T5i and SL1 DSLRs, with 18-megapixel APS-C-type sensor delivering considerable resolution for a mirrorless camera; Solid build and sleek design; Bright, high-resolution 3-inch LCD touchscreen monitor; Full 1080p HD video recording that's virtually silent with an STM lens.
Barely acceptable autofocus speed still lags far behind most mirrorless cameras despite firmware update fix; Limited physical controls and buttons, including no Program, Priority, or Manual on Mode dial; Lacks built-in flash or electronic viewfinder option; Only two compact EF-M mount lenses currently available.
Read our Canon EOS M Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon S95

Canon S90

Canon S95

$430
1/1.7 inch

Higher effective ISO
Less shutter lag

$428
1/1.7 inch

HDMI out
Shoots 24p video

Compare Canon S90 vs Canon S95

Canon EOS M

Canon S95

$600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$428
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon EOS M vs Canon S95

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Canon S90

Sony NEX-5N

$430
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$700
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon S90 vs Sony NEX-5N

Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-5N

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Canon S100

Canon S90

Canon S100

$430
1/1.7 inch

Higher effective ISO
Bigger JPEG buffer

$429
1/1.7 inch

Built-in GPS
Manual focus

Compare Canon S90 vs Canon S100

Canon EOS M

Canon S100

$600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$429
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon EOS M vs Canon S100

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Canon S90

Sony NEX-5R

$430
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon S90 vs Sony NEX-5R

Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-5R

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
External Mic Jack

$499
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Canon S110

Canon S90

Canon S110

$430
1/1.7 inch

Higher effective ISO
Bigger JPEG buffer

$249
1/1.7 inch

Touchscreen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon S90 vs Canon S110

Canon EOS M

Canon S110

$600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$249
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon EOS M vs Canon S110

Compare Other Cameras?