• APS-C 328.6mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 384.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon XS advantages over Sony H90

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.71 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 290 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    2.9 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony H90 advantages over Canon XS

  • Less expensive
    $250 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 61 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 vs 1600 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review 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 Pentax K200D

Canon XS
Pentax K200D
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon XS vs Pentax K200D

Sony H90
Pentax K200D
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony H90 vs Pentax K200D

Compared to Sony DSLR-A230

Canon XS
Sony DSLR-A230
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon XS vs Sony DSLR-A230

Sony H90
Sony DSLR-A230
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony H90 vs Sony DSLR-A230

Compared to Nikon D3000

Canon XS
Nikon D3000
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Less shutter lag
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon XS vs Nikon D3000

Sony H90
Nikon D3000
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony H90 vs Nikon D3000

Compared to Panasonic ZS10

Canon XS
Panasonic ZS10
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon XS vs Panasonic ZS10

Sony H90
Panasonic ZS10
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony H90 vs Panasonic ZS10

Compared to Nikon S8200

Canon XS
Nikon S8200
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon XS vs Nikon S8200

Sony H90
Nikon S8200
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen

Compare Sony H90 vs Nikon S8200

Compare Other Cameras?