The best secondary camera for (Canon) DSLR photographers

The best secondary camera for (Canon) DSLR photographers

Canon PowerShot S95 Digital Camera (. 10 megapixels, 3x optical zoom, 7.5 cm (2.95 inch) display, image stabilized, Aperture 1: 2.0) (Electronics)

Customer Review

I do not often write (at least not as long) reviews, but this camera is simply a due.

As a long-digital, SLR and amateur photographer (2002 I started with an Olympus C-40-4 MP on a 1 / 1.8 "sensor, in 2003 then entry into the SLR segment with a Canon EOS 10D; today I have an EOS 40D with a variety of lenses), has always been to a good second camera from the compact segment, which extends as close as possible to the SLR-quality, but is just pocket or at least jacket pocket fit me.

Among other things, I had times the Canon PowerShot S70. She brought 7 MP on a relatively large sensor, but the electronics and the camera's internal postprocessing algorithms were not then so powerful. In the long run I was (to say nothing of high ISO values) with the detail-losses even at ISO 50 dissatisfied (since helped the RAW format nothing). She was also quite bulky. So I sold the S70 again. A Ixus time was not an option (too low manually influenced), and thus was in Canon compact camera range long a non-issue for me.

It was the heyday of Fuji and their SuperCCD (reasonable 6 MP on a 1 / 1.7 "sensor). I had the F10, the F30 and finally the F31fd. The latter accompanied me faithfully until now over several years. Excellent colors, detail and excellent to tolerable noise until ISO 800, quickly, a sensible screen, great battery life, and easy to operate. There's little to complain about there. The Fuji were far superior to the competition for a long time.

Then came the Canon PowerShot S90, which I have studiously ignored. But with the appearance of the S95 did bring me to ponder. In addition to the capabilities of the F31fd me were commanded: Genuine 28mm wide angle, a full stop more light intensity, modern hybrid IS, RAW format, HD video (720p), acceptable 10 MP 1 / 1.7 "sensor, pixel binning mode (ie summary of 4 pixels to so increase the sensitivity by a factor of 4) ... Since Canon has actually put together a very reasonable technology package, with plenty of ingredients that are good and expensive. Okay, the "motive bell "still lacks ;-), but if still image quality - even at high ISO values ​​- true, this camera is but a dream!
Fuji is unfortunately no longer an alternative: The F200EXR was obviously the last remaining halfway usable camera, but with the F300EXR now also provides Fuji seemingly just crap.

So I created the first - only positive - reviews for S95 faith given and they just ordered times. And indeed, I was not disappointed, because now I am considering even my faithful F31fd sell. That is saying something, because not so long ago I could not imagine that!

Of course, also has the S95 weaknesses:
- The getting used to (because it quickly end) flash. One has to get used to another camera position.
- The opposite of Fuji halved in about battery life. Carrying a spare battery is a must again, but comes as no surprise: The Canon battery has 1000 mAh, the Fuji battery nearly twice as much in correspondingly larger dimensions. With the capacity of Fuji batteries the Canon would probably similar life as the F31fd reach (despite permanently activated at my image stabilizer) setting priorities, but somewhere you have now times.
- Some software features should be treated with caution. Example iContrast: Although the function achieves a subtle brightness raising or lowering of the shadow highlight areas, the camera switches but more or less strongly the ISO high. This one is a more noise and loss of detail than necessary. When it comes, so better take pictures RAW and correct the Shadow / Highlight in postproduction.
- The automatic white balance in artificial light is to me often orange / yellowish. One problem is that the S95 informs its DSLR counterparts. (Remedy: shoot RAW and correct in the development).
That's in addition, already at significant criticisms.

Plus points are:
+ Maximum image quality (excellent colors, high sharpness and detail even at high ISO), in the higher ISO significantly better than the Fuji F31fd.
+ Excellent noise performance to ISO 400, without any problems even at ISO 800, at ISO 400 and more better than the Fuji F31fd.
+ High initial aperture of 1 / 2.0.
+ 28mm wide-angle (in KB format converted).
+ Effective image stabilization (1/15 sec. And longer shutter speeds can be made easily from the hand). The IS also has a positive effect on the steadiness of videos.
+ Intuitive and practical use (who knows a Canon SLR, will have no difficulty and the "shortcuts" to key functions - without having to dive into menus - to appreciate).
+ RAW format allows via post to get the most out of the shoot. (Note: So far I have the RAW format of S95 not yet tried, my remarks here sämtlichst based on the JPEGs.)
+ Everything is manually regularly, adjusted and influenced.
+ The driving out lightning might be annoying, but also has the advantage of being caused by the relatively large distance from the optical axis hardly red eyes.
+ Pixel binning allows usable shots even when lighting conditions under which taking pictures with a compact actually is otherwise impossible.
+ Excellent processing and haptics.

The high initial light intensity, the image stabilizer and the relatively low noise at high ISO values ​​allow in combination usable images in available light situations, where I had not even thought of himself with the Fuji F31fd ans photographing. Or just rushing clearer images or faster shutter speeds in situations that had to be overcome with the Fuji. And if in fact nothing works, the pixel binning, so although with only 2.5 MP photosensitivity is still (not really great, but it is better than no photo), but significantly increased in (relative to the used ISO) moderate noise.

I have to say that I'm not a fan of scene modes. As with the SLR, I also work in the S95 mainly with the "creative programs" Av, Tv and P. It is just too cumbersome to learn the peculiarities of two dozen or more scene modes with each new camera. Since I rely rather on the predictability of creative programs, my experience and the possibilities of post-processing.
So I can for the usefulness of the scene modes do not say much, but I think that the S95 shows a good performance even when using these automatic functions.

Overall we have to say that you currently can hardly build a better camera. I had the choice, would fall even though I have a thing. That with the lightning you should somehow be able to solve different (eg the right to integrate into the fixed housing, because there the distance to the optical axis would be large, and the occlusion risk is relatively low). I would also be a further reduction in the number of pixels - in favor of further optimized noise performance - 8 (if not 6) MP. More needs at least not an ambitious amateur photographer normally.

But that would be relatively minor improvements. I am therefore very pleased and can recommend the S95 highly enough, especially the dedicated SLR photographers who seeks a really good compact second camera. Sure, the S95 comes at a price, but considering the extensive equipment and the high quality level, it is not too expensive.

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