Comments on: s90: Likes and dislikes

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 01:32:32 +0000

It sucks that all the new Canon cameras have wrist straps that lack the slider thing to tighten them.
Do they really save that much money by not including them like every other compact Canon I’ve bought over the past decade????

By: Gail Bjork

Gail Bjork — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 18:35:34 +0000

PY, you can look at some of the other pages in my s90 blog, such as My s90 settings, Tips, Links, etc. Also do a Google search. The is an abundance of user info and something may catch your eye. Look for a s90 group on Flickr too. You’ll find other enthusiasts there too.

By: PY

PY — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 17:21:19 +0000

Thanks for your quick and good response, Gail. I am just crossing the threshold of collaborating with other enthusiasts and am very grateful for guidance.
Is there a good guide of hints and tricks for th s90 around that you recommend?

By: Gail Bjork

Gail Bjork — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 15:35:26 +0000

PY, even though the S90 is a decent low light performer, it can struggle in low light as you've discovered. You may have to focus on an area with more contrast and recompose.One of the tricks I learned years ago is to shoot at the widest angle so you use a large aperture and let in more light. In other words, don't zoom in when taking inside shots in low light. Here are some other helpful focusing tips.

By: PY

PY — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 15:03:58 +0000

I love my S90. I shot for years and years with a powershot sd1100 and thought I was ‘good’ Boy did I have a lot to learn. 8×10 prints are pretty unforgiving!
I will echo the comments about the strap. I have a case with Velcro and my strap looks like a dog’s chew toy.
I have been able to get this camera to perform will with one frustrating exception. In lower (But not low) light situations the camera often misses focus completely, seeming to focus as close as possible to camera. I often have to take three or four shots to get one that is in focus. I have tried holding the camera steadier, using different modes, flash, et cetera. I’ve also tried though maybe not doing right: pressing shutter halfway and pausing then shooting.
This expensive camera should be getting its focus right most of the time on auto settings (w flash) right?
Any insight appreciated

By: Gail Bjork

Gail Bjork — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 19:35:31 +0000

Tommy, if you're an experienced digital camera user, you may very well have a camera problem. I'm experiencing none that you mention. It's difficult to comment without seeing the images and EXIF data, but check you settings against the ones I recommend in the blog. Many photographers, after they reduce an image in size, adjust brightness and contrast and apply a small amount of sharpening. Have you given these a try?

By: Tommy

Tommy — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 18:52:18 +0000

Something is wrong whit mine , having looked at other photos taken at iso 1600 that look better than my photos at iso 400 i have really understood that something is wrong whit mine . Sadly the place where i bought it refuses to take it back . My images are very blurry as well and often faulty exposed as well . No i don`t like this camera at all , so many drawbacks and very little going for it , at least mine . No i think Panasonics cameras are much better

By: Gail Bjork

Gail Bjork — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 13:56:42 +0000

Tommy, my experience with the taking photos at higher ISO numbers is not the same as yours. I have some sample s90 photos in my pbase galleries, which you can use as a comparison to help determine if there is a problem with your camera. The s90 autofocus can be slow, particularly in low light. If a slow shutter speed was selected by the camera, images will be blurry. I have been disappointed with the ergonomics of the s90, but not the image quality.If you use the search feature at Digicamhelp, you can find information about taking photos in low light. Also, check my s90 settings suggestions. If you have an online photo gallery and either post or email me the link, I'll be happy to give you some suggestions. Or email me one or two sample images with the exif data. Here are a few tips about focusing in low light.

By: Tommy

Tommy — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 12:09:18 +0000

So much noise even at ISO 400 the photos are unusable , blurry photos , very slow autofocus . A big let down and i really wished i bought another camera . Or at least a S90 that hasen`t been on the floor in the shop which mine probably has . Never buy anything from Mediamarkt in Lund Sweden

By: Gail Bjork

Gail Bjork — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 01:31:30 +0000

Thanks, Jeff, for sharing your insights about the LX3 and s90. The information should prove very helpful for those deciding between these two very fine cameras.