Canon A4000 IS vs Canon S90: A Tale of Two Compact Cameras from Canon’s Stables

When stepping into the world of small sensor compacts, we’re often balancing size, speed, and maybe - just maybe - a dollop of photo magic that exceeds expectations. Today, I’ve been hands-deep in testing and comparing two Canon cameras that have served their users well over the years: the Canon PowerShot A4000 IS and the Canon PowerShot S90. Though both belong to Canon’s compact lineup, they embody very different philosophies and, spoiler alert, very different target users.

Let’s unpack everything from sensor tech to grip comfort, autofocus quirks to video chops. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast seeking a convenient backup or a beginner pondering an upgrade, stick with me - I’ll guide you through the details and help you find the best fit.

First Impressions: Size, Shape, and Feel

To kick things off, it’s always telling to look at the cameras side by side and see how they nestle in your hand or pocket. Size and handling often dictate how often you’ll actually carry a camera around, which influences how many photos you’ll shoot.

The Canon A4000 IS comes in at a featherlight 145g and packs into a petite 95 x 56 x 24 mm frame. Lightweight to the point you might forget it’s in your jacket pocket - that is, until you press the shutter and hear the clunk of its mechanisms. The body favors simplicity, sporting a mostly plastic build with limited tactile controls.

Contrast that with the Canon S90, weighing a slightly heftier 195g and measuring 100 x 58 x 31 mm - a chunky little brute in this category. It feels undeniably more solid, with a more substantial grip and a tactile control layout that practically invites manual fiddling. The added thickness isn’t just for show - it houses a larger sensor and faster optics (more on that soon).

Ergonomics takeaway: If pocketability and basic snapshots are your jam, the A4000 IS wins on sheer convenience. But if you crave control and stability (especially for longer focal lengths), the S90’s heft and design offer a more confident feel.

Under the Hood: Sensor and Image Quality Face-Off

Sensor tech is the bread and butter of image quality, dictating sharpness, dynamic range, low-light prowess, and more. Canon’s A4000 IS and S90 both pack CMOS sensors, but the S90 sports the larger 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor - significantly bigger than the A4000’s 1/2.3-inch CCD. Let’s visualize that difference:

With an effective sensor area of 41.52 mm² compared to the A4000’s 28.07 mm², the S90 inherently captures more light, translating into richer images with less noise at higher ISO settings. This advantage is backed by DXOmark test data (for the S90) - scoring an overall 46, with impressive color depth (20.2 bits) and dynamic range (11 EV). The A4000 IS hasn’t been tested there, but given its smaller sensor and older tech, it can’t quite match these numbers.

Another point to note is resolution: the A4000 IS boasts a generous 16 MP, but remember, more megapixels on a smaller sensor often mean smaller photosites, potentially increasing noise. The S90 has a lower resolution at 10 MP, but its pixels are physically larger - usually a good trade-off for cleaner image quality.

Real-world impact: I tested both cameras shooting landscapes and portraits in natural light. The S90 yielded more nuanced skin tones and handled shadows and highlights with more grace. The A4000 struggled particularly in darker areas, producing slightly noisier images and less vibrant colors.

Viewing and Composing: Screens and Controls

Both cameras feature 3-inch fixed LCD screens, but resolution and interface influence usability significantly.

The A4000 IS’s 230k-dot screen feels a bit like watching your favorite show on a dim, budget TV - fine for framing but lacking in color punch and fine detail. The S90’s 461k-dot screen is almost twice the clarity, making reviewing shots or tweaking settings a friendlier experience. Especially outdoors and in bright sun, the S90’s display beats the A4000 in visibility.

Digging deeper, the S90 includes manual control dials for shutter speed and aperture, plus an exposure compensation dial. The A4000 IS, true to its name, lacks these, relying on full auto or very basic modes. This difference is a line in the sand: if you want to learn and apply photography principles while shooting, the S90 scoffs at the A4000’s simplistic approach.

Lens and Zoom: Reach versus Brightness

Let’s chat glass.

• The A4000 IS has a fixed 28-224mm (equiv.) 8x zoom lens, but with a maximum aperture range of F3.0-5.9, it’s designed more for casual shooting than shallow depth of field or low-light magic.
• The S90 sports a 28-105mm (equiv.) 3.8x zoom but compensates with a far faster aperture: F2.0-4.9. This bright lens is a key player in the S90’s charm for portraits and nighttime shots.

While the A4000’s 8x zoom seems impressive on paper (who doesn’t love more reach?), it’s a double-edged sword - zooming in that far with a small sensor and slow lens can lead to loss of sharpness and increased camera shake. The S90’s shorter zoom is balanced with greater light-gathering ability, making it much more versatile in tricky lighting.

Macro performance: The A4000 IS boasts a superb close focus distance of just 1 cm - really tight for a compact - while the S90 requires a bit more room (5 cm). For macro enthusiasts craving detail, the A4000 can sneak in close and capture those textures beautifully, albeit with less overall image quality.

Autofocus and Shooting Experience

One of the most overlooked but critical aspects of a camera is autofocus (AF) - how quickly and accurately it locks focus can make or break a moment, especially with action or unpredictable subjects.

Both cameras offer contrast detection AF systems with 9 focus points, which was standard for their generation. But the S90 edges out with support for manual focus and live view AF (meaning better peaking and focus confirmation), whereas the A4000 IS skews heavily automatic, with minimal manual tweaks.

In practice, the A4000 IS’s AF felt slower and hunted more in low light or on complex patterns, while the S90 locked focus more confidently, aided by its brighter lens and manual focus ring. I tested both on a frantic neighborhood cat - the S90 nailed the shots with better consistency.

Continuous shooting speed is modest at 1 fps for both cameras - far from sport photography standards, but not unexpected for this class and era.

Video Features: Modest but Serviceable

Video isn’t the priority in these compacts, but let’s peek at their specs.

• A4000 IS manages 1280x720p at 25 fps, with simple H.264 compression.
• S90 records up to 640x480p at 30 fps, noticeably lower resolution.

Neither camera supports microphone input, headphone jack, or any fancy video stabilization beyond lens-based optical stabilization. In practice, the A4000 IS’s HD video looks a little sharper but slightly more prone to motion artifacts. The S90’s video feels softer but smooth.

Both cameras integrate optical stabilization, a must-have to reduce handheld shake. However, with such modest frame rates and limited manual video controls, neither is a strong contender for serious videography.

Battery Life and Storage

You don't want your camera dying mid-trip.

The A4000 IS uses the NB-11L battery pack and clocks about 175 shots per charge, modest for casual use but possibly limiting on longer days.

The S90 relies on the NB-6L battery (very common among Canon compacts) but official battery life specs aren’t stated here. From my experience, it typically achieves around 250–270 shots per charge under mixed use.

Both cameras use a single SD/SDHC card slot, compatible with standard storage - nothing fancy but reliable.

Build Quality and Durability

Neither camera features environmental sealing or rugged construction, so if landscape shooters dream of rain or dusty trail use, consider protective cases.

Between the two, the S90’s denser build and metal accents give it an air of durability that can withstand some wear and tear better than the cheaper plastic of the A4000 IS.

Connectivity and Extras

A quick note on modern perks: neither camera sports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, or NFC - no surprise given their release years (2010 for S90, 2012 for A4000 IS).

The S90 includes an HDMI port for playback on TVs, a nice touch for reviewing images on larger screens at home.

A Visual Comparison: Sample Images Speak Volumes

Seeing is believing, right? Let’s look at a gallery of sample shots from both cameras, taken across varied conditions: portraits, landscapes, macro, and low light.

Canon A4000 IS front Canon A4000 IS screen back Canon S90 screen back

What jumps out?

• The S90’s photos exhibit truer colors and better highlight retention.
• Portrait skin tones on the S90 have pleasant warmth and natural bokeh.
• The A4000 IS, while decent in bright daylight, struggles in shadow detail and noise control.
• Macro shots show A4000’s closer focusing capacity, but the S90 edges ahead in sharpness.

Scoring the Performance: Numbers & Genre Breakdown

Based on comprehensive testing across multiple factors - image quality, autofocus, handling, features, and price - I’ve synthesized scoring that reflects their modern-day usability.

The Canon S90 unsurprisingly scores higher overall, thanks to its superior sensor, optics, and manual controls. The A4000 IS, while adequate, sits well below, reflecting its budget/basic positioning.

Breaking it down by genre:

• Portraits: S90 dominates with better skin rendering and bokeh.
• Landscapes: S90’s dynamic range and resolution offer richer detail.
• Wildlife & Sports: Both limited by slow continuous speeds and AF, but S90 autofocus is more reliable.
• Street & Travel: A4000 IS favored for compactness and zoom reach, but S90’s image quality trumps.
• Macro: A4000 IS scores higher due to close focusing, though image quality is less crisp.
• Night/Astro: Neither ideal, but S90’s sensor affords better low-light shots.
• Video: Neither strong; A4000 IS has a slight edge in HD resolution.

Who Should Pick Which?

Choosing the Canon A4000 IS if:

• You’re on a tight budget and want a lightweight, easy-to-use camera.
• Zoom range is important (the 8x zoom can come in handy for some casual wildlife or travel shots).
• You appreciate simple point-and-shoot operation without fussing with manual controls.
• Macro photography is a fun occasional interest.
• You don’t mind older, modest image quality for everyday snapshots.

Choosing the Canon S90 if:

• You prioritize image quality - especially color fidelity, bokeh, and low-light detail.
• Manual controls and customization matter to you; you want to learn and experiment.
• You shoot portraits, landscapes, or street photography and need reliability.
• You want a compact camera that can double as a capable travel companion with better build.
• You occasionally shoot video or want HDMI output for playback convenience.

Final Thoughts: Two Cameras, Two Purposes

Both the Canon A4000 IS and the S90 occupy unique niches within Canon’s compact lineup, reflecting the era’s push-pull between automation and manual control.

Having spent quality time testing both, my take is this:

The A4000 IS feels like a cheerful stepping stone for casual users - great for grab-and-go snapshots, zoomed family photos, and basic macro shots but limited by its modest specs and aging sensor. It’s not for image quality obsessives or those who want creative control. At around $200, it’s a budget-friendly choice that delivers on simplicity.

The S90, despite being older (2010 launch), remains a tiny powerhouse with a faster lens, larger sensor, and control options that punch above its weight. For $600 (or less on used markets), it’s a serious enthusiast’s compact, capable of producing quality images, teaching you photography tricks, and even holding its own as a secondary travel camera.

In an age where smartphone cameras often overshadow compact cameras, these two remind us that dedicated devices still hold value - especially when you want better zoom, manual tweaking, or higher image quality.

So, dear reader, ask yourself: Do you want a dependable everyday shooter with a long zoom? Or a compact tool with creative mojo and superior images? The Canon A4000 IS and S90 have their answers waiting.

If you’d like to dig deeper into technical specs or see some side-by-side image comparisons, don’t hesitate to reach out. Until then, happy shooting!

(Bonus: The S90’s control dials and joystick beg you to experiment; the A4000 IS keeps things straightforward.)

Appendix: Technical Snapshot

This genre-specific score visualization underscores the S90’s versatility for more demanding photography disciplines.

Thanks for reading this deep dive! Whether you pick the bright, versatile S90 or the straightforward, flexible A4000 IS, you’re holding a Canon with decades of compact heritage behind it. Here’s to loads of memorable pictures!