My digital Fotoweg began with the Panasonic FZ-5 bridge camera that provided impeccable images, but disappointed in the weak light. I therefore resorted to Nikon SLR models of success and ultimately ended up in the Nikon D700 only to find after some time that they stayed at home more often. The Panasonic GF1 finally was excellent, at least in sports myself too unwieldy, so I ended up after disappointments with some compact with the Canon S90 with its larger sensor. You annoyed me with a little too much sharpened and saturated JPEGs an unfavorably located power button, who made a one-handed operation (climbing, cycling) impossible and easy adjustability of the control wheel. They went to my daughter, who is very pleased with her. Then she came out, the S95. Since after the transfer of Einschaltknopfes one-handed operation is possible, I resorted to and was not disappointed. 1. handiness: The S95 is ultra-compact and finds lack of corners and edges of the space in your pocket and also from this to stay back out without hanging. The surface is more handy compared to the S90, who wants to have it all handy, which can pick up the widely-praised handle Lens Mate from the Internet, which I think is redundant. The metal case makes a high impression, the workmanship is very good. The hand strap is indeed long enough, but lacks a Arretierschlaufe with which it sits securely on your wrist. Another -If also little- drawback: The loop strip is extremely allergic to Velcro fasteners and quickly pulling strings. 2. Operation: After laying the Einschaltknopfes within reach of the right hand (right-handed) is a good one-handed operation possible, also the trigger is now no longer to be confused with the mode dial and can be easily felt because it was designed grip. Besides the usual even with SLR equipment program functions in addition to interesting Szenenmodis and a high quality movie mode also given the opportunity, the personal settings on the latch C to lay and thus protect against adjustment by other users. The special feature of the operation is the large, grippy, programmable wheel that runs around the optics. I have programmed it to exposure and have, thanks to the significant screening quickly learned to use it without looking at the display. The programmable key on the back, I have programmed for a rapid change of integral to spot metering, which has proven itself especially in the macro range. The downer was the still too smooth control wheel on the back for me. If you have RAW photographed and placed the ring on the front on exposure compensation, then the wheel turned merciless and can not be deactivated in order to ISO adjustment. Handed and while wearing gloves, I have the wheel initially every now and then adjusted unintentionally and 3200 until I was right from the CAR to the ISO solution on the Internet. Lens Mate offers a small stick-ring around the control ring, which virtually impossible macht.Der control ring allows unintentional adjustment now heavy disguise, but the benefits outweigh the Verstellschutzes for me this disadvantage clearly. The menu is intuitive to use, there are on display faulted. 3. speed, exposure, autofocus, stabilizer: The speed is not a big difference to the compact, an SLR is faster. Point. However, what stands out is the accuracy of the exposure and the accuracy of the autofocus. From a general overexposure may -at least in my Specimen no question. Of course you have to know where the exposure is fixed at strong light contrasts and metering by half press the shutter button, a view of the display reveals quite a lot. The Image Stabilization works flawlessly and allows sharp pictures up to 1/15 which undoubtedly contributes to good twilight performance of the camera. The battery life can be described as average, because you have to pay tribute to its compact design. Since the battery indicator -as usual-not very helpful is (when changing from three to two beams is closing soon) it is recommended to a (very cheap) second or third battery zuzulegen. Although they are (subjective impression) is not quite as powerful as the original, but rarely plays a role. 4. Image Quality: This is the great strength of the S95. I'm working with RAW, convert the recordings in the supplied Canon software by editing them in PS after. Since the exposure is almost always true, and the colors are excellent there is usually no more to do than to adjust the neckline fine and brighten image parts with strong contrasts and darken. In none of my cameras I have so little turn to the colors than the S95! The twilight performance is naturally not to compare with my D700. But to ISO 1600, the images are still quite useful to ISO 800 even presentable. For good low light performance of course also carries the bright optics at (at Wide Aperture 2!) 5. Conclusion: Strengths: portability, ruggedness, numerous without going to the menu functions achievable, exceptional image quality thanks to the large sensor, little waste thanks unerring exposure meter and autofocus. Good light performance due to strong light optics and good image stabilization. Weaknesses: Easily adjustable and not switched off in the P mode control ring (in AUTO plays no role, since disabled), battery life and zoom range (28-105) only Durchnitt. Sum: A really great camera that will satisfy even the Spiegelreflexfan. Surprise: macro shots with a depth of field as it provides the S95 manages my D700 is not even with the expensive lenses. Since the compacts outsell!
