• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  •  
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot S90
  • Sony Alpha NEX-5N
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Canon S80
S80 vs S90
Sony NEX-5
NEX-5 vs NEX-5N
Successor: Canon S95
S90 vs S95
Sony NEX-5R
NEX-5N vs NEX-5R
General
Model Number: S90 NEX-5N
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $429.99 $699.99
Street Price:    
Date Available: 2009-10-15 2011-09-01
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 6.2 oz (175 g)
includes batteries
16.4 oz (465 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 3.9 x 2.3 x 1.2 in.
(100 x 58 x 31 mm)
4.4 x 2.3 x 1.5 in.
(111 x 59 x 38 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony Exmor APS HD
Effective Megapixels: 10.0 16.1
Sensor Format: 1/1.7 inch APS-C
Sensor size: 43.32mm2 (7.6mm x 5.7mm) 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 2.08 microns 4.82 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 16:9 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:   Fixed
Self-Cleaning: No Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 46 77
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 20.2 23.6
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.0 12.7
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 185 1,079
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
3648 x 2048 (7.5 MP, 16:9),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2272 x 1704 (3.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
1824 x 1368 (2.5 MP, 4:3)
4912 x 3264 (16.0 MP, 3:2),
4912 x 2760 (13.6 MP, 16:9),
3568 x 2368 (8.4 MP, Other),
3568 x 2000 (7.1 MP, 16:9),
2448 x 1624 (4.0 MP, Other),
2448 x 1376 (3.4 MP, 16:9),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other),
2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other),
7152 x 1080 (7.7 MP, Other),
4912 x 1080 (5.3 MP, Other),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2), CR2 JPEG, .ARW RAW, RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 0.9 10.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
1920x1080 (60p/​28Mbps/​PS or 60i/​24Mbps/​FX or 60i/​17Mbps/​FH or 24p/​24Mbps/​FX or 24p/​17Mbps/​FH)
1440x1080 (30p/​12Mbps)
640x480 (30p/​3Mbps)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM) AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio :Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a Sony E
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens Sony SEL1855 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 105mm 27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual): 6 - 22.5mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.80x 3.06x
Aperture Range: f/2.0 (W) / f/4.9 (T) - f/8.0 f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 34 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 5 - 50 cm
2.0 - 19.7 in
 
Filter Thread: n/a 49.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 10x Precision digital zoom with prime lens attached
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection; 9-point AiAF, 1-point AF (center or Face Select and Track) Contrast Detect: 25-area, Center, Flexible Spot; with Face Detection
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: No Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD LCD
Viewfinder Type:   (Optional FDA-EV1S XGA OLED Tru-Finder EVF or FDA-SV1 Optical Viewfinder)
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 461,000 dots 921,600 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 14.0x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):    
Minimum ISO (native):    
ISO Settings: Auto, ISO 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200; up to 12800 in 2.5-mp Low Light mode Auto (100-3200), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom, Underwater Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Temp./Filter, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/1600 - 15 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: No Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot, Face Detect AE 1200-zone Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Special Scene (Foliage, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Aquarium, Night Scene, Indoor, Color Accent, Color Swap, Kids & Pets, Underwater, Nostalgic), Night Snapshot, Stitch Assist, Low Light Sweep Panorama, 3D Sweep Panorama, Anti Motion Blur, Scene Selection (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night View, Hand-held Twilight)
Self Timer: 1 - 30 seconds 2, 10, 10 with 3/5 shots seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; FE lock, Safety FE, Slow Synchro Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear sync., Slow sync., Red-eye reduction
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 7.0 m / 23.0 ft.
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 1.6-21 ft./50cm-6.5m (W), 1.6-8.2 ft./50cm-2.5m (T) Bundled flash has GN of 7m/ISO 100
Max Flash Sync: 1/500 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a Smart Accessory Terminal 2 (flash is detachable)
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: CR2 .ARW RAW, RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM) AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio :Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC
Included Memory: No memory included  
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No Yes
Remote Control Type:   Optional RMT-DSLR1 IR Wireless
Connections (extended):   Mini HDMI (Type C), Smart Accessory Terminal 2
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 2.43 0.61
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 2.96 0.99
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 0.9 10.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited 7
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.43 seconds 0.24 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.49 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.410 seconds 0.067 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 1.15 seconds 0.40 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.088 seconds 0.022 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   Full AF lag: Multi-area AF mode = 0.251s
Startup Time: 2.1 seconds 1.9 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 1.3 seconds 1.1 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 6.8 seconds 2.1 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 220 shots 430 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-6L Proprietary InfoLithium NP-FW50
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-6L Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM PMB (Picture Motion Browser) , Image Data Converter S, Image Data Lightbox SR
OS Compatibility: Windows XP SP2/Vista, Mac OS Windows XP/Vista/7; Mac OS X 10.3 or later. (PMB is Windows only.)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Optical Image Stabilization, RAW Mode, Face, Blink, Motion Detection, Intelligent Contrast Correction, Low Light Mode. 3", 921K-dot, Tilting Touchpanel LCD, Optional XGA OLED TruFinder EVF, 1080p60 AVCHD 2.0 Videos, 10fps Full-res Burst Mode, Sweep Panorama, Hand-held Twilight, Anti-Motion Blur, Auto HDR, DRO, SD/MS Duo Media Support.