Canon S100 or Fuji X10 ?

In my winter 2011 recommendations, I had the Canon S100 as the compact camera of my choice. I've also been following closely the new Fuji X line, and now that the X10 has been out for a little while, time for a comparison.

First of all, let's see what they have in common:

• bright F2 lenses, 24-120mm for the S100 and 28-112mm for the X10 , so pretty much the same here
• full HD video capabilities
• good under the hood software, both cameras process images pretty well
• both are from real camera brands, which means a proper experience in lens manufacturing
• 12MP sensors, but that doesn't really matter

Now let's have a look at the essential differences, starting with what's in favor of the S100 :

• It is significantly smaller, and the lens folds flat when off
• it has high speed video recording (240fps), a gadget surely but it can be fun if you shoot action with it
• Cheaper, but at least 100$
• better dynamic range on the paper

What does the X10 has for himself:

• larger sensor, leading to better low light performance
• bigger = better handling, I find the S100 a little too small for my long fingers. It's a matter of choice
• normal video recording is at 30 fps VS 24 fps for the S100
• 10 fps shooting
• much faster to operate, in particular shutter response time is significantly better
• built quality and looks, it does looks really good
• better battery life (although not amazing either)
• more manual controls

Looking at this summary, it looks like there won't be an obvious choice here. If the X10 seem to win in several areas, differences are minor. For example, ISO performance is better, but it's already very good on the S100 . 

The most important part being the lens, both are a really good choice since both lenses are about equivalent, and smart. They avoided the ridiculous X72 zooms that ruin image quality and are totally useless.

Be sure of something: YOU WON'T TAKE BETTER PICTURE BY PICKING ONE OVER THE OTHER. It's purely a matter of ease of use, preference in regards to ergonomics. I'd say try them in store and pick the one that comes in hand best. However, you didn't read all of this to be told "go see in the next Best Buy". So here is my personal call:

I have DSLR, SLR, Medium format gear. If I am to buy such product, I want a pocket fitting camera for mountain biking, skying, etc. I also wouldn't like to put to much money in it. I would still pick the S100 . Differences are so little that the size and feature / $ ratio wins.

If It was to be my only camera, it would be the X10 . Because it reacts much faster, and having a delay between pressing the shutter and the picture being taken sucks big time. It also offer more manual controls, which for experimenting is nice. It's overal a little better, and looks much prettier which as irrational as it is, would matter a little. I also do have a little preference for the way it processed dynamic range: photo with heavy contrast tend to come up a little more flattering on the X10 for my taste, even though the S100 has in theory better dynamic range.

Be sure you don't make a mistake buying any of those 2 cameras. Also know that ergonomics and software on the X10 is better than on the $1200 Fuji X100!

 An other good trick: the S100 and S95 are the same. It's like getting the 2012 car instead of the 2011. It's just a marketing thing. So go find a S95 for cheaper :)

Product review: Canon S90 & Canon S95

Hello fellow photographers !

Today a quite important review for me since I'm testing, and you'll see later, approving, the largely spread Canon high end compacts: Power Shot S90 and S95.

Long story short : I'm getting both, one for my mum, one for my lady as a back up camera for our trip to India (my main will be a Fujica GA645). Considering how demanding I am (I shoot medium format film most of the time), it means they are excellent compact cameras. keep one thing in mind before finishing the review : I only care about photography related features. Automatic editing features and other goofy useless digital function will be ignored because they are just marketing sales point. For digital editing: lightroom or photoshop element.

Now the rational !

- Overal positioning of the product.
These are clearly aiming at the solid amateur or pro who wants to have a pocket size compact, but without giving up on good optic quality and manual control. A beginner within a budget constraint who can't afford a DSLR should also look into those. I can never say it enough, the guy holding the camera makes the picture: this should allow you to do 90% of what an amateur would do with a DSLR. It won't off course compare to a MF camera or a D3X, but it's as good as it gets on a compact.

- Optics, sensor and stuff related to picture quality:
First of all, the S90 and S95 are strictly the same cameras when it comes to images. Same lens, same sensor. This should be the only thing that matters when choosing a camera, ergonomics is a bonus. So why are they such good compacts?

• The zoom corresponds to a perfect multipurpose range: 28-105mm.
• It's an F2 lens ! When most compact hardly do F2.8. It means that it can shoot in low light without forcing on the ISO. Also means you can obtain very short depth of field. Essential for a photographer who wants to be in control, not rely on processors. 
• The sensor is larger than most compacts, but stay at a safe 10MP. It's great because each pixel on the sensor is larger, hence can more accurately seize light, leading to less noise.

Don't get fooled by big x10 zooms. In optics, the larger the zoom, the lower the quality since it can't be optimized for such large scopes. This camera was built for people who know photography, and it is smartly done. In regard to this, get the S90 VS S95: cheaper, same stuff.

Image quality compares to a DSLR with a basic zoom lens, noise is better than an entry level DSLR in my opinion. It outperforms my Nikon D80 when it comes to noise (a 4 year old mid range DSLR).
If you stop down the lens at f2.8, you can shoot at ISO 1000 and maintain good picture quality.

It offers matrix, zone and spot metering that performs very well.

- Ergonomics and other stuff that are not related to picture quality:
It is small, same as a pack of cigarettes. Very convenient for the candid shooter who hates being without a camera, and for bag pack traveling.
Downside : as it fits my tiny GF's hands, my never ending fingers (easy ladies !) find it a tad small for great handling. I prefer the Nikon F5 for handling, but it's a huge bulky piece of metal. Can't have everything.

Menu is smartly done, intuitive, easy access to many functions etc. The great thing is the ring on the lens: you can use it for whatever you want, you program it the way you like: MF, aperture, ISO, etc. It's great when shooting with one manual parameter and the rest automated (what I use the most).
The screen is as big has the camera allows it, and when shooting full manual, brightness on the screen adjust so you can sort of meter with your eyes.
Access to set up is easy even during shooting, I won't go into details, but I found everything first time without opening the manual.

- Sample shots:
More soon to come, forgot the memory card home this morning :) I had no time to shoot proper pictures since I nearly live at work, but I'll try something more arty / normal light conditions with it during my next photoshoot.

ISO 1000 @ F2.8

ISO 1000 @ F2.8

8% of the image cropped at F2.0 ISO 800: rather extreme awful conditions, it remains fairly acceptable.

- Recommandations:
Get one.
How does it perform compared to the G12, G11 etc.? I don't see the advantages of those over the S90. I've tried the G11 quite a lot and in terms of image quality, nothing worth chasing differences. I prefer the ergonomics of the S90, and mostly the size. Having a good compact to back up a DSLR or film camera on a trip is precisely about sizing. G12 is too big to fullfil that purpose. If you consider a G12, get a DSLR.
So if you are a accomplished photographer looking for a pocket size friend, go for it. Will never bit your Pentax 67II (let's be serious :) ) but it will do the job well.
You're a beginner with a little money willing to get started, or you want to offer a really really nice compact, go for it. This price gap between this and a DSLR that would be significantly better remains quite high. S90 will be a good first camera for digital fans.
Of course if you want to start photography and train yourself, I'll never insist enough that the way to train is to get a Nikon FE, FE, FA etc, a 50mm lens, and some film...but once again, not being snobbish about film being so cool and vintage: I'm sure there is somewhere someone pulling mind-blowing shots out of an S90. A camera is just a pencil or a brush: if you suck, it won't help you :)