Canon Powershot S95 as a go everywhere pocket camera?

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SydZ

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I'm thinking of buying a Canon Powershot S95 as any everyday pocket camera that I can take places that I wouldn't generally take my 7d.

I've heard good things about it but am concerned I may find it too constrained when compared to my DSLR. Has anyone used the S95 for a while and can comment on real life living with it?

Thanks.
 
I've got the S90 which is virtually the same camera and I think it's great. Obviously any compact camera will feel constrained compared to a DSLR but the S95 does have full manual control, i.e., aperture priority, shutter priority, etc.
 
It's going to feel limited compared to a DSLR obviously - it's a compact point and shoot, but it is one of the best available.
 
Thanks. It's the ability to do full manual and change aperture, shutter speed etc that makes me interested.

I've got a couple of point and shoots at present and find them lacking in many ways that seem to be on the spec sheet of the S95. However as I have found in the past a spec sheet is one thing, actually living with the thing can be a different matter.
 
I bought an S90 a couple of weeks ago and I love it. The S95 is mostly the same as the S90. I don't think you will be disappointed.
 
eos1 said:
I bought an S90 a couple of weeks ago and I love it. The S95 is mostly the same as the S90. I don't think you will be disappointed.
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Thanks. I'll set about tracking down the best deal when I get a chance.:thumbs:
 
I got a S90 when it first came out, and upgraded to the S95 last year.
Believe all that you have read. While we all know its silly to think it can be better than a DSLR, IME it can take over as a always with you, day to day camera.
I used to take my 40D everywhere but did find i wouldn't always use it. I had compacts but always prefered to have something i could control in the way that i wanted, and get results as close to my 40D as possible.

I still use my S95 more than my new 60D during the week. Of course if im going anywhere special ill take the DSLR but for general walkabouts where i "might" see something interesting the S95 is the camera of choice.
I also find it fun to use. Maybe its the fact that i like using the LCD to frame the shots but ive been taking more arty looking shots with this than i have, or would, with my DSLR.

Well thats my experience anyway. Its still a compact and has limitations but its the first compact ive had that i dont feel restricted to shoot as base ISO.

Ive got a gallery of my S90 and S95 images here on flickr if its any help.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davebass5/sets/72157622647970370/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davebass5/sets/72157624984928137/
 
No problem Steve. Its a great camera and im sure you will be happy with it if you do get one.

Dan. Im the bloke wearing the fake bush just outside your window lol.
I had a look at your galleries and i see what you mean. Great images, a lot more photogenic than mine IMO. Mine are more snaps.
I live next to the Barbican so often go wandering around the city/river area when i can get away from the kids for a hour or two at weekend. Problem is ive done it so many times im loosing inspiration now. Guess im more a seasonal shooter.
 
Another thumbs up here, I've got an S90 and it's a cracking little camera, can shoot raw and control all the settings manually without any trouble.
 
In answer to your question; Canon Powershot S95 as a go everywhere pocket camera? YES :D

I have the S90. Cracking camera, as has already been said, lots of manual options. F2.0 at wide angle.

As they said in an old American Express advert "Don't leave home without it" :D
 
I see that there are a few refurb S90 cameras in the Canon eBay store. As these have being going for around 50-60% of the cost of an S95.

Are they worth a dabble or is the S95 an improved enough camera to justify the additional cost?
 
SteveRob said:
I see that there are a few refurb S90 cameras in the Canon eBay store. As these have being going for around 50-60% of the cost of an S95.

Are they worth a dabble or is the S95 an improved enough camera to justify the additional cost?
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Only you can tell. Many people have upgraded from a S90 to a S95 and felt it was worth it, many haven't felt the need. The S95 is no doubt a better camera but only you can decide by how much.

Gald to be of help:thinking:
 
i have the s95 too i state the obvious its not a dslr what it is is a quality p&s great always in your pocket camera full manual controls excellent in low light RAW shooting which is a must for the amateur or pro photographer amazing 720p hd video recording canon do excellent video my advice to you if you want a camera in your pocket whenever your out and about at all times get the s95 camera and video recorder in 1 :D
 
SteveRob said:
I see that there are a few refurb S90 cameras in the Canon eBay store. As these have being going for around 50-60% of the cost of an S95.

Are they worth a dabble or is the S95 an improved enough camera to justify the additional cost?
Click to expand...

I bought a refurbed S90 and it's perfect .... Not sure about this? but as far as I know the main upgrade on the S95 was on the video quality, which wasn't important to me!
 
As above, I didn't upgrade because the main bits of the camera, ie the lens and sensor are the same.
 
After reading the above and comparing photos from various sources I looked at the S90 of eBay. Just got myself one at a good price which hopefully lives up to it's writeup. I can't recall the last time I shot video so this was never a selling point towards the S95 for me anyway.

Now just got to wait on Mr Postie.
 
SteveRob said:
After reading the above and comparing photos from various sources I looked at the S90 of eBay. Just got myself one at a good price which hopefully lives up to it's writeup. I can't recall the last time I shot video so this was never a selling point towards the S95 for me anyway.

Now just got to wait on Mr Postie.
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Nice one, good luck with it.
IME there really isnt any difference in IQ between the two, most of the time.
Although i really wanted HD video i was actually very impressed with the SD video from my S90. .
 
dave_bass5 said:
I got a S90 when it first came out, and upgraded to the S95 last year.
Believe all that you have read. While we all know its silly to think it can be better than a DSLR, IME it can take over as a always with you, day to day camera.
I used to take my 40D everywhere but did find i wouldn't always use it. I had compacts but always prefered to have something i could control in the way that i wanted, and get results as close to my 40D as possible.

I still use my S95 more than my new 60D during the week. Of course if im going anywhere special ill take the DSLR but for general walkabouts where i "might" see something interesting the S95 is the camera of choice.
I also find it fun to use. Maybe its the fact that i like using the LCD to frame the shots but ive been taking more arty looking shots with this than i have, or would, with my DSLR.

Well thats my experience anyway. Its still a compact and has limitations but its the first compact ive had that i dont feel restricted to shoot as base ISO.

Ive got a gallery of my S90 and S95 images here on flickr if its any help.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davebass5/sets/72157622647970370/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davebass5/sets/72157624984928137/
Click to expand...

Some great shots there Dave, looks like I've just found my next compact!
 
Thanks Dave. You got some great shots there on both cameras. It'll give me something to aspire to!

I rarely print photos out or blow them up to any extent so doubt (or should that be hope?) I won't see any difference in IQ.
 
Cheers Guys.
Ive found that i get more creative with my S95 than i do with my DSLR and do have more fun with it. I think its the small size combined with the LCD viewfinder. Even though im well used to using a EVF i like the fact that its more WYSIWYG with a compact.
 
I had a S90 when they first came out from Jessops. At the time i knew little about photography and didnt really know what i was letting myself in for. I paid £499 for it, rather my parents paid £499 for it. Looking back it was a hell of a waste of money. The camera itself was nice to use, a little chunky but nice, however i soon found its limits, one being its lens.

Quality wise its great, being a wide angle you can really fit a lot in, however its at the telephoto end i was finding it was lacking. I was going to look at another compact and i decided i should go in to it more and look in to an SLR and thats what i did!

Unfortunately my S90 died a few months ago. I was in the sea and although the camera was in a case, the case got a bit damp. The camera continued to work and took a few photos then died. It was too costly to get it repaired and the 3 year extra warranty i took out on it had expired.

The S95 is a great little camera providing you dont want a little more reach. I know i find it very hard to go back to a compact after using a SLR for so long. Why not check out some of the G series cameras?
 
The OP has a DSLR but wants a pocketable everyday camera, i dont think the G series falls in to this category. IMO the G series is not an always with you camera.
I agree that the G12 is a better camera but its not something that most people will be able to have on them at all times (from reading the many threads on various camera forums).

Just my opinion of course.
 
Depends on how big your pocket is ;-)

Since having my SLR my dad was using my powershot until i killed it so i bought him a Panasonic ZX1, Its a nice little camera but very little in the way of Manual control.
 
I agree about the pocket size, and at this time of year when we are all wearing jackets i could quite happily have a G12 with me all the time (and i am in fact trying to offload my 40D to get a G12), but having had my S90/95 during the summer months when i was wearing shorts, no jacket or bag etc, i can imagine the looks i would get with a G12 sized bulge in my shorts ;-)
 
Jackwow said:
The S90 a little chunky?! You must have very wee hands!
Click to expand...

I guess it's a relative statement, what's it being compared to?

I've got two other compacts that are a bit smaller, and much less able!
 
S90 arrived yesterday and I got a chance to play with it today in between working.

First impressions are great. Nice bit of kit. Now if this rain would just go off.........
 
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