Canon S90 vs Nikon J5

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Canon S90 vs Nikon J5

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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.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.8 megapixels
ISO 160 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon J5 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon J5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the J5.
Compare Nikon J5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon J5 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon S95
Compare S90 vs S95
Compare Canon S95 vs Nikon J5

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Differences

Canon S90 advantages over Nikon J5

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Higher max flash sync
1/500 vs 1/60 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 20 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon J5 advantages over Canon S90

Larger sensor
1 inch vs 1/1.7 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs No
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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.
J5 test data on DxO Mark S90 test data on DxO Mark

479 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.
Newer
10 years vs 15 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More dots on screen
1037k vs 461k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Less shutter lag
0.07 vs 0.43 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.8 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
59.4 fps vs 0.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/1600 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

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
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
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Hot shoe
Neither provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read S90 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read J5 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon J5

Kit with 10-30mm lens (Black)

Kit with 10-30mm lens (Black)
Kit with 10-100mm lens (Silver)
Kit with 10-100mm lens (White)
Kit with 10-30mm & 30-110mm lenses (Silver)
Kit with 10-30mm & 30-110mm lenses (White)
Kit with 10-30mm lens (Silver)
Kit with 10-30mm lens (White)

All J5 Deals

Review Excerpt

Read our Canon S90 Review

Photographer-friendly controls; Impressive dynamic range for its class; Very fast hybrid autofocus; Fast high-speed shooting capabilities; Tilting touchscreen display.
No hot shoe or viewfinder; Aggressive noise reduction, even at base ISO; 4K video is limited to 15fps.
Read our Nikon J5 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

Nikon J5

Canon S95

$497
1 inch

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

$428
1/1.7 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Higher max flash sync

Compare Nikon J5 vs Canon S95

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

Nikon J5

Canon S100

$497
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Larger sensor

$429
1/1.7 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon J5 vs Canon S100

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

Nikon J5

Canon S110

$497
1 inch

Larger sensor
Slower slow-motion

$249
1/1.7 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Integrated ND filter

Compare Nikon J5 vs Canon S110

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Canon S90

Samsung NX Mini

$430
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$600
1 inch

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon S90 vs Samsung NX Mini

Nikon J5

Samsung NX Mini

$497
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
On-sensor phase detect

$600
1 inch

Longer stills battery life
Thinner

Compare Nikon J5 vs Samsung NX Mini

Compared to Nikon J4

Canon S90

Nikon J4

$430
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$350
1 inch

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon S90 vs Nikon J4

Nikon J5

Nikon J4

$497
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Tiltable Screen

$350
1 inch

Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon J5 vs Nikon J4

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