Canon PowerShot S95 Review

  10 MP Digital Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0 Inch inch LCD

  

Do you take photography seriously? If so, then the Canon PowerShot S95, which has all the features a professional would need tucked into a neat compact size, is just the camera for you. It also comes in a black, hard case with a less-than-smooth surface, a significant design improvement for a compact. One of the complaints customers had about early mini models was that they were so slick they were difficult to hold. While this compact digital camera can fit in your pocket, you can accessorize your camera with a choice of black leather cases or even a waterproof option if you’re out taking photos in all kinds of weather. The Canon PowerShot S95 comes with a rechargeable lithium battery pack, charger, wrist strap and cables for AV and USB interface.

Canon PSC900 Deluxe Leather Camera Case

Transcend 16 GB Class 10 SDHC Flash Memory Card

Super Photo Quality

The Canon PowerShot S95 delivers the photo quality professionals expect from Canon. The 10.0 megapixel CCD sensor and DIGIC 4 image processor work in tandem providing images far superior to those from comparable choices. This increased performance is possible because of the increased ISO speed, which reaches a maximum of ISO 12,800. This camera also boasts a built-in flash which activates automatically when needed.

High Definition Video

Not hampered by its small size, the Canon PowerShot S95 lets you shoot quality HD Video with its 720p movie mode. You won’t even have to wait to enjoy your pictures and video, thanks to a mini HDMI connector that plugs into your HD TV monitor. In fact, you can view up to 130 still shots at a time.

Do you want to take your own portraits? The f/2.0 aperture can be set to focus on the person while blurring the background images, and moving the setting to Macro will intensify the effect. The larger aperture also captures more light in dimmer settings, providing better contrast. The end product will be a professional image suitable for framing.

The Canon PowerShot S95 gives you greater photographic diversity with its 28mm wide angle lens and the 3.8x optical and 4x digital zoom lenses that deliver a combined 15x zoom. Close up zooms, which can be affected by slight camera movement come out clearly thanks to a Canon hybrid IS function which corrects these movements from two different directions in order to deliver sharp, clear images. Whether you want to take a shot up close or a wide, panoramic view, this camera has you covered. Even those difficult low-light shots will come out great due to an increased 3200 ISO setting.

Improved Manual Controls

Canon engineering has greatly improved manual control access in the Canon PowerShot S95. Even though there is less surface area on a compact, making changes are simple. An easy grip ring is located around the front lens, complete with click stops, that allows you to adjust the zoom, shutter speed, focus, ISO or aperture. Other function menus are available with the touch of a button on top or with the setting wheel on the back. Updated, easy to read menus pop up on the 3.0 inch LED screen to guide you through the selection process.

Photo Editing

Are you a tech-savvy photographer that likes to edit your own photos? The Canon PowerShot S95 has a RAW setting designed just for you. This setting allows you to take photos without the JPEG setting, allowing you to transfer your shots onto your computer for editing with your own processing applications or editing software. If you would rather, the camera can operate with both the RAW and JPEG settings operating simultaneously.

Pros

• Auto flash - takes the guess work out of your exposures
• Great new pocket size - easy to take anywhere with you
• Enhanced manual controls - no more fumble fingers
• Built in Wide angle and zoom lenses - you are ready for any situation
• Clear LED monitor with updated menus that's a joy to use
• Contrast enhancement for difficult lighting
• RAW mode to enable photo editing

Cons

• No separate on / off button for video
• Awkward placement of flash

What People are Saying about the PowerShot S95

A number of customers expressed a great deal of satisfaction with the easy grip surface of the exterior case. One of the most popular improvements was the click stop feature on the setting adjustment ring around the lens. They love the manual features, updated menu and enhanced photo clarity, all in a neat package that can truly fit in a pocket. Several people did comment that they would like to see the pop up flash relocated on the camera. This pops up automatically when the camera senses that the lighting requires a flash, and if you forget its location, it will hit your finger. The flash has a safety stop when it hits resistance, which means you have to reset the camera.

The reviews, however, show that the Canon PowerShot S95 is a resounding success. If you are ready to upgrade your digital camera, be sure to check out the Canon PowerShot S95 online at venues like Amazon.com.

If you're looking for a pocketable camera that has reasonably high quality images, lets you control aperture, speed and focus and shoot in RAW format, this is it.
Michael Sandman - Brookline, MA