Canon PowerShot S95 Digital Camera {10MP}

Canon PowerShot S95: The f/2 pocket camera serious shooters carried.

The S95 builds its case around one spec: a f/2 maximum aperture on a 28-105mm equivalent lens. At f/2, this 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor gathers light in conditions where most compact cameras give up, and the combination of optical image stabilization and ISO 80-3200 range keeps shots usable well into dim interiors. The Digic 4 processor handles RAW output in Canon's CR2 format, which means you're not locked into the camera's JPEG rendering if you want to work the files yourself.

Full manual exposure controls, including aperture priority, shutter priority, and a custom 'C' mode that stores a complete shooting configuration, put this in different territory than most point-and-shoots. The 9-point autofocus system includes a tracking mode, and macro focus closes to 5 cm for close detail work. A spaced stereo microphone pair records 720p H.264 video with genuine stereo separation, not the single-point mono audio common to compact cameras of its era. The 3-inch, 461,000-dot LCD and HDMI output round out a package that weighs 195 grams. For anyone who wanted DSLR-level control in a coat pocket, the S95 was the answer Canon's enthusiast community had been waiting for since the S90.

Who It's For

Street photographers working available light will find the f/2 lens and optical image stabilization a practical combination for shooting without flash in restaurants, markets, or late-afternoon shade. Travel photographers who want RAW files and full manual exposure without checking a bag benefit from the 100 x 58 x 30mm body and 195g weight. Journalists or documentary shooters needing usable ambient-sound video will appreciate the spaced stereo microphone setup, which records with genuine channel separation than mono. Close-up and product photographers gain a 5 cm macro focus range that works at any zoom position within the lens range.

Key Features

• f/2 maximum aperture on 28-105mm equivalent lens
• 10MP 1/1.7" CCD sensor with optical image stabilization
• RAW shooting in Canon CR2 format via Digic 4 processor
• Full manual exposure controls: aperture priority, shutter priority, manual mode
• ISO 80-3200 range with Auto ISO adjustable maximum
• Stereo microphone pair records 720p H.264 video with true stereo separation
• 9-point autofocus with tracking mode and macro focus to 5cm
• 3-inch, 461,000-dot fixed LCD with HDMI and USB 2.0 output

FAQ

What makes the f/2 aperture on the S95 such a big deal for a compact camera?

At f/2, this camera gathers roughly twice the light of an f/2.8 compact and four times more than an f/4. Combined with optical image stabilization and an ISO range up to 3200, you can shoot usable images in indoor lighting where most compacts force you to use flash or accept grain.

Can you shoot RAW and have full control over exposure?

Yes. The S95 records CR2 raw files via the Digic 4 processor and gives you aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual mode. You also get a custom 'C' mode that stores your complete shooting configuration, so you can return to a setup by turning the dial.

How good is the video audio compared to other cameras from that era?

The S95 records stereo via a spaced microphone pair separated by roughly 5cm, which produces genuine stereo separation and spatial depth when played through headphones. Most compacts and DSLRs of the time only captured mono audio.

Does the autofocus track moving subjects?

The S95 has a tracking AF mode that attempts to follow moving subjects. It also includes AF point magnification so you can zoom the LCD to verify focus before you shoot, and AF bracketing for bracketed focus distances.

What video resolutions and quality can you expect?

The S95 shoots 1280x720 at 24fps, 640x480 at 30fps, and 320x240 at 30fps, all in H.264 format. The 720p option was new to the S95; the earlier S90 was limited to 640x480.

How does the 28-105mm equivalent zoom range perform across the frame?

The 3.8x optical zoom covers wide to short-telephoto territory without digital zoom artifacts. In-camera JPEG processing corrects barrel distortion at the wide end, though RAW files show the raw lens behavior if you want to correct it yourself in post.

Is the body ergonomic enough for regular use?

The S95 weighs 195 grams and measures 100x58x30mm. The exterior is textured metal with soft detents on the rear control dial for more tactile feedback than the S90. The fixed 3-inch LCD has 461,000 dots and tilts neither up nor down.