• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.6 megapixels
  •  

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Differences

Canon S90 advantages over Samsung NX100

  • 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 1/180 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Samsung NX100 advantages over Canon S90

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 2.08 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~1.10 vs 2.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    22.6 vs 20.2 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    563 vs 185 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 420 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    614k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    14.6 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • 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
    2.9 fps vs 0.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 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

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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-5

Canon S90
Sony NEX-5
  • $430
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Samsung NX100
Sony NEX-5
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas

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
Samsung NX100
Canon S95
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $428
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

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
Samsung NX100
Sony NEX-5N
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas

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
Samsung NX100
Canon S100
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

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
Samsung NX100
Canon S110
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $249
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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