Need serious advice for the S-90

[funscuba]

I've had the nikon P5100 since early 2008 and would like to update it to an other one, preferably smaller as I am travelling sometimes for long periods. I was thinking bout the G10 or G11 but find them to big, so I found that canon came out with this new S90that is pretty small and look pretty cool and heard that it would be a good choice for my underwater pictures.

Compare to the G10 and G11, would u think that the S90 is as good question of quality picture ? And for the macro, is it a very good choice or.... ?

Or is the G10 or G11 a better choice or....? Or should I still keep my nikon P5100 ?

Thanks for the help !

 

[skynscuba]

The S90 has almost the same image quality as the G11, but will not focus as close (5cm vs. 1cm). If you are really interested in macro, I'd plan on adding a wet macro lens, or even two stacked macro lenses.

 

[Nemrod]

The S90 has almost the same image quality as the G11, but will not focus as close (5cm vs. 1cm). If you are really interested in macro, I'd plan on adding a wet macro lens, or even two stacked macro lenses.

There is no "almost" to it, the S90 is equal to or better than the G11 and in point of fact, any differences either way with either camera are minuscule. The question comes down to do you value the faster lens and compact dimensions of the S90 and it's ability to utilize a variety of wet lens systems or do you want the chunky, slower lens G11, easier to hold for surface photography perhaps.

N

 

[ghnouer]

I had the same doubts S90 x G11, in january. Now, I am very happy with my decisison with a G11.

In my opinion if you have a DSLR for land go with S90. If the new camera will be your main camera go with G11.

S90 - positive aspects:
- smaller, pocket size
- faster lens
- more options for WA (?)

G11 - positive aspects:
- better battery life
- better zoom
- good for big hands

Good decision!

GHN

 

[Nemrod]

I had the same doubts S90 x G11, in january. Now, I am very happy with my decisison with a G11.

In my opinion if you have a DSLR for land go with S90. If the new camera will be your main camera go with G11.

S90 - positive aspects:

- more options for WA (?)

GHN

Again, I don't disagree with your observations save for the above, there is no need to introduce a question mark into what is simply a fact. The fact is that the S90 thanks to it's appropriate zoom ratio mates very well with numerous lenses, macro and wide angle and even fisheye with good results.

Not the same turtle but same dive and same shooting distance but without the Inon wide angle lens installed, camera lens at full wide 28mm:

N

 

[chrishet]

During my dives last week I never had to swap batteries in between dives using my s90 and my 1400mAH battery...or memory card with a 16GB SDHC. Also, my strobe and focus light did fine. I always had spares topside however just in case...Each tank dive was around 50min. I am new to UW photography so perhaps I did not snap as many pics as some but I got to shoot plenty, maybe 30-40 shots per dive. No way I could have gotten a third dive in though with the same batteries...I check my levels at the end of each day and I was pretty much near the end of life.

 

[ghnouer]

I think you are right Nemrod.

But it depends how much money you invest in the housing, right?

For example with the canon housing there are some limitations anyway.



I d like to see some reviews with G11 ( using FIX and PATIMA housing).

GHN

 

[chrishet]

IMO, a DSLR has a lot of advantages over a P&S, no shutter lag for one...but the WA and zoom capabilities of the S90, and G11 for that matter I assume, are pretty darn good and convenient, and shooting RAW is huge! I am looking to upgrade to a housing for my 7D primarily to resolve the lag, improved video, and choice of lenses, but if possible I would like to keep the S90 around for a dual use rig...it would be nice to have one rigged for WA and the other for Macro! The S90 is a subcompact and would fit that bill nicely...again, I am new to all this but am enjoying the koolaid...

 

[Nemrod]

With the shutter lag, camera set up and planning can reduce the impact. The S90 is pretty fast as P&S cameras go but it is certainly an issue to be understood and dealt with. I have gotten used to it now that I preplan and sometimes prefocus as I see a shot come up so that when I punch the trigger, it shoots.

N

 

[slowhands]

I've had the nikon P5100 since early 2008 and would like to update it to an other one, preferably smaller as I am travelling sometimes for long periods. I was thinking bout the G10 or G11 but find them to big, so I found that canon came out with this new S90that is pretty small and look pretty cool and heard that it would be a good choice for my underwater pictures.

Compare to the G10 and G11, would u think that the S90 is as good question of quality picture ? And for the macro, is it a very good choice or.... ?

Or is the G10 or G11 a better choice or....? Or should I still keep my nikon P5100 ?

Thanks for the help !

Both the G11 and S90 are excellent cameras, quite similar in performance. Once housed, they are almost the same size (using Canon housings). The S90 can be bought refurbished for about $100 less than the G11, so it has a cost advantage ($300 vs $400). Housings run $170.

I'd suggest trying the S90 with Canon housing. You can add a cheap Intova ISS 2000 strobe with tray and cord for $150. That's a bargain setup that will get you a lot of great photos. There are a lot of options you can add to this -- better housing, wide angle, deluxe strobes -- but wait until you feel you have outgrown this one.

Of course, every month new cameras come out that are even better. Don't worry about that, just get out and shoot until this one falls apart.