The first thing I do when I get a new digital camera is change many of the factory default settings. After years of using digital cameras, I’ve found some settings are more effective than the ones the manufacturer preselects for us. However, I do adjust settings such as White Balance, Exposure Compensation and ISO whenever needed according to the scene and lighting.
Generally, though, I keep my s90 set as follows:
- Shooting mode: P or Aperture priority mode
- Auto Focus frame — Center, normal size
- Metering — Evaluative
- Image Stabilization: Shoot Only
- Sensitivity – Auto ISO
- Exposure Compensation: -1/3 to - 2/3 for outside photos
- Control ring - assigned to ISO [Learn why]
- Shortcut button – AE Lock (Auto Exposure Lock is one of 12 functions that can be assigned to the shortcut button via the Set Shortcut button menu)
- iContrast - OFF (iContrast can be effective, however you can apply it when reviewing images. The original image will remain untouched and a new image is created with iContrast applied).
- Custom colors — increase saturation, decrease red (both by one tick)
- Flash – OFF – otherwise the flash remains up and it can be annoying when taking shots
- Auto focus assist lamp — ON
- Red-eye mode — OFF
- White balance — AUTO
- Digital Zoom — OFF
- LCD Review - OFF
Note: if a function isn’t listed above, it’s kept at the factory default.
Visit Gail’s pbase gallery for sample photos taken with the Canon s90.
I wonder if you can set the S90 to display a live histogram as on the G10 , I find this very useful as a guide for exposure compensation.
Yes you can, in Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Manual modes. However, it is not on by default. You can enable it via the Custom Display menu. Fortunately, when the histogram is displayed, it doesn’t take up a lot of the screen real estate. You can also view the histogram in Playback mode.
Newbie to the S90. You have made it easier to get up and running with your program (P) Mode advice. Problem I’m having is in the AUTO mode. I keep getting a flashing camera symbol showing camera shake in the lower left hand corner. Is this a problem with the camera, or am I in a (DUH!) Mode.
Thanks
Ernie
DUH Mode?! LOL, Ernie. Without knowing all your settings, my guess is that ISO is too low and/or you’re zoomed in. One of the things I notice about the s90 is that it selects slow shutter speeds, rather than raise the ISO. I highly recommend you use P Mode. It’s fully automatic, but you can change some important settings IF you want. So when you get the camera shake symbol, use a wider angle, up the ISO or use the flash. You can also use a camera support, such as a tripod.
I set the front wheel to focal length, the back wheel to aperture (I use mostly Av), and the shortcut button to ISO.
It’s great that this little camera allows so much flexibility in its controls!
I haven’t found out how to activate the custom displays, but maybe I should spend a bit more time with the manual.
Cyril, check page 104 in the s90 manual for how to set up Custom (C) mode. You can also register commonly used shooting menus (manual page 154; My Menu settings).
Does anyone know how to get a clean display without icons when shooting? I can’t get rid of the icons for the ring functions.
Unfortunately, there is no way that I know of to have the icons not display. You may be able to remove a couple of them in the Custom Display menu. Menu button > Custom Display.
I have used black nonslip tape ( bought from marine store ) on front of camera where my finger grips and small bits at back on top right corner. There is a big increase in stability and the camera feels safer. Also my thumb is now above the rear control dial so no risk of altering iso.
Great suggestion. Thanks for sharing.
I’m a new S90 owner. This site is very helpful, thanks for providing it. Is there an alternate way to select between the various “SCN” modes, besides cycling through them one at a time with the small ring? It seems like there should be a more direct way to do this. Thanks, Steve
Stevelk, Using the control dial appears to be the only way to change between SCN modes. So glad you find the site helpful!
Do you know where I can get a glass lcd screen protector, I have used GGS and they are very good but can’t find anyone with S90 size?
I’m unaware of any companies that made custom sized glass screen protectors. The camera is fairly new so perhaps GGS will make some for the s90. A possible alternative is acrylic. da Products makes clear, hard, scratch-resistant screen protectors in custom sizes.
Love this site! I’ll be back with questions, after I try applying all the info here already to my understanding of the camera!
Glad you find the site helpful. Feel free to ask questions in the comment areas or in our forum.
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