Compact to compliment my DSLR. Can you beat the S95?
Discussion
Folks,
I'm considering getting a compact for those days/nights when I either can't be bothered/am not able to carry all my DSLR equipment like nights out, driving to work etc.
I'm going travelling later in the year and it is likely that the missus will sometimes be taking the DSLR for work/trips without me (we share it!!!)
I'm not fussed about taking videos, just want something that will fit in my jeans pocket, give me high quality shots, some manual functions and take decent enough night shots with a tripod and not cost a fortune.
The S95 gets rave reviews and judging by posts on this forum, can produce amazing photos. It seems the S95 isn't too much more expensive than the S90 these days, so is it worth just going for the newer model? I don't really have the budget for an S100.
Also, has anyone got a used one hanging around they want to sell? S90 or S95? (Well, it was worth a cheeky try!)
Seriously though, is the S95 the best option to compliment an SLR for around the 250 quid mark?
I'm considering getting a compact for those days/nights when I either can't be bothered/am not able to carry all my DSLR equipment like nights out, driving to work etc.
I'm going travelling later in the year and it is likely that the missus will sometimes be taking the DSLR for work/trips without me (we share it!!!)
I'm not fussed about taking videos, just want something that will fit in my jeans pocket, give me high quality shots, some manual functions and take decent enough night shots with a tripod and not cost a fortune.
The S95 gets rave reviews and judging by posts on this forum, can produce amazing photos. It seems the S95 isn't too much more expensive than the S90 these days, so is it worth just going for the newer model? I don't really have the budget for an S100.
Also, has anyone got a used one hanging around they want to sell? S90 or S95? (Well, it was worth a cheeky try!)
Seriously though, is the S95 the best option to compliment an SLR for around the 250 quid mark?
As far as I have been able to discover the only difference between an S95 and an S90 is that the 95 has 1280x720 (24fps) video support and stereo sound. Plus a claim for Wi-Fi support via Eye-Fi but I would guess the S90 can do that too?
Sounds like either camera would do for your needs.
Buy extra batteries - they are small compared a dslr and can drain quickly by comparison.
Be aware that, as you might expect, the DR is not as wide as a dslr, even in RAW mode, so very high contrast range images are best bracketed - a small tabletop type tripod my be useful when travelling. Or a gorillapod. The assisted panorama mode (on my S90 at least) works well enough but only for jpgs which is no great surprise.
Image quality is excellent in my opinion.
Some people dislike the handling and fit additional grips. I don't find it a problem.
You can get filter adapters that fit on the tripod mount and allow a filter to be positioned in front of the lens at all extensions. You can also get adapters to allow filters to be fitted directly to the extending lens via a small lightweight stick on adapter but these are more expensive iirc.
Sounds like either camera would do for your needs.
Buy extra batteries - they are small compared a dslr and can drain quickly by comparison.
Be aware that, as you might expect, the DR is not as wide as a dslr, even in RAW mode, so very high contrast range images are best bracketed - a small tabletop type tripod my be useful when travelling. Or a gorillapod. The assisted panorama mode (on my S90 at least) works well enough but only for jpgs which is no great surprise.
Image quality is excellent in my opinion.
Some people dislike the handling and fit additional grips. I don't find it a problem.
You can get filter adapters that fit on the tripod mount and allow a filter to be positioned in front of the lens at all extensions. You can also get adapters to allow filters to be fitted directly to the extending lens via a small lightweight stick on adapter but these are more expensive iirc.
s95 doesnt stand up to the abuse you can give an SLR file, and doesnt resolve the same detail.
But it can fit in a pocket without you noticing! Great little thing.
I find I like having another camera in my hand when shooting the SLr too, different framing etc makes it a creative tool if only until you point the SLR the right way.
But it can fit in a pocket without you noticing! Great little thing.
I find I like having another camera in my hand when shooting the SLr too, different framing etc makes it a creative tool if only until you point the SLR the right way.
Thanks for the replies so far.
I've read about the battery life so will certainly get some spares, although I don't think it'll be used in the same way as the SLR, probably just the odd photo here and there.
I've just put an offer in on an S90 over on TalkPhotography so we'll see how that goes
I've read about the battery life so will certainly get some spares, although I don't think it'll be used in the same way as the SLR, probably just the odd photo here and there.
I've just put an offer in on an S90 over on TalkPhotography so we'll see how that goes
S95 > http://www.stevecarter.com/random/AmPloc2012.jpg
What Rob said. Also - I haven't felt the need for a second battery... seems to last for weeks (and I use it every day)
What Rob said. Also - I haven't felt the need for a second battery... seems to last for weeks (and I use it every day)
GetCarter said:
S95 > http://www.stevecarter.com/random/AmPloc2012.jpg
What Rob said. Also - I haven't felt the need for a second battery... seems to last for weeks (and I use it every day)
Depends on what you are doing.What Rob said. Also - I haven't felt the need for a second battery... seems to last for weeks (and I use it every day)
Battery is no worse than any other compacts but when 'travelling' it might be assumed that power is not always available and spare batteries take up very little space and non Canon versions cost not much at all.
I found I could get through a battery a day sometimes - especially if reviewing or sharing via the screen and using the flash a bit. Occasional shots may be worse for total charge life than taking a lot - the startup and shutdown lens activity for example and the flash charge at startup can be a drain. But then I guess shots per charge are always going to depend on how you are using the device.
How about the S100 ?
AIUI the S100 has a CMOS sensor rather than the CCD Sensor of the S95/90.
I've heard nothing specific to the S100, but I've heard it said generally that still image IQ of other high end compacts has suffered when they transitiom from CCD to CMOS - althout the IQ of video improves.
Mrs Seight's Sony PandS has GPS datatagging, which is a feature that I like. The S100 has this whilst the S95 doesn't.
I'm much impressed by the images from Steve's S95 and I'd like to think that the S100 would be as good with the added benefit of GPS geo-tagging, but I'm worried by generalisations about IQ of CMOS sensors. I'd hate to buy an inferior camera just so I could have the latest bells and whistles.
Thoughts ?
AIUI the S100 has a CMOS sensor rather than the CCD Sensor of the S95/90.
I've heard nothing specific to the S100, but I've heard it said generally that still image IQ of other high end compacts has suffered when they transitiom from CCD to CMOS - althout the IQ of video improves.
Mrs Seight's Sony PandS has GPS datatagging, which is a feature that I like. The S100 has this whilst the S95 doesn't.
I'm much impressed by the images from Steve's S95 and I'd like to think that the S100 would be as good with the added benefit of GPS geo-tagging, but I'm worried by generalisations about IQ of CMOS sensors. I'd hate to buy an inferior camera just so I could have the latest bells and whistles.
Thoughts ?
Hi, Recently bought Nikon P300 over the Canon S95 after taking weeks to decide which to buy, very pleased with performance, main reason for buying Nikon was I liked the feel of it, lovely quality and price advantage over Canon. Results so far have been great on par with my Canon 40D. Interesting test between the Canon and Nikon on Dpreview.com site.
melvinolotus said:
Hi, Recently bought Nikon P300 over the Canon S95 after taking weeks to decide which to buy, very pleased with performance, main reason for buying Nikon was I liked the feel of it, lovely quality and price advantage over Canon. Results so far have been great on par with my Canon 40D. Interesting test between the Canon and Nikon on Dpreview.com site.
The lack of RAW file capability would put me off - but I appreciate that such things would not matter to everyone. Sensor size and things that go with that in terms of potential for some DoF control (as an example) may also be more significant for some users but not matter to everyone given why people elect to buy into that class of camera in the first place.Du1point8 said:
Can something like a G11/12 qualify?
I got one for the OH as I use the DSLR and she uses that and it works a treat, I like all the pre programmed modes for nighttime, dusk, etc.
I like those and with them being larger I bet the controls are less fiddly when using the manual modes. I went for an S95 though as it just fits in the pocket better. Also the S95 has the same sensor and processor as the G11.I got one for the OH as I use the DSLR and she uses that and it works a treat, I like all the pre programmed modes for nighttime, dusk, etc.
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