Canon G1 X Mark III vs Canon S90: A Deep Dive Into Two Compact Canon Classics

When Canon announced the PowerShot G1 X Mark III in late 2017, it felt like the company was staking out a serious claim in the large-sensor compact camera market - at a time when mirrorless and DSLR systems dominate. Meanwhile, the Canon PowerShot S90, released seven years earlier in 2010, carved out its own niche as a groundbreaking small-sensor compact known for its manual controls and low-light abilities. Comparing these two models - the G1 X III with its APS-C sensor and the S90 with its 1/1.7" CCD sensor - is like evaluating two very different epochs of Canon's compact camera evolution.

I've spent considerable hands-on time with both cameras and carefully examined their specs, real-world performance, and usability across various photography disciplines. Whether you're a casual enthusiast, a pro looking for pocketable backup gear, or simply curious about Canon’s compact offerings, this comprehensive comparison will shed light on what each camera excels at, where they fall short, and which could be the right fit for your creative pursuits.

First Impressions: Size and Ergonomics That Define Your Shooting Experience

One of the first things I notice about any camera is its physical dimension and grip comfort - these are often deal-breakers before image quality even comes into question. The G1 X III, a large sensor compact, is naturally bigger and heavier than the S90, but Canon has crafted it with excellent ergonomics that make its weight feel more like purposeful substance than bulk. The S90, by contrast, is charmingly tiny and extremely pocketable but demands a delicate touch - its smaller size constrains tactile control.

At 115x78x51mm and 399g, the G1 X III is unmistakably a step up from the 100x58x31mm, 195g S90. The grip, thoughtfully sculpted on the G1 X III, provides firm handling even with one hand, an asset for longer shoots and telephoto reach. The S90, despite its compactness, feels comfortable in a jacket pocket or clutch purse but can get fiddly for those who prefer dedicated dials and buttons - something Canon clearly addressed in the G1 X III’s updated design.

Looking Under the Hood: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

The sensor is where these two cameras diverge radically, and in practice, this difference informs almost every aspect of image quality and creative flexibility. The S90 sports a 1/1.7" CCD sensor with 10MP resolution, whereas the G1 X III boasts a 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor - a format Canon typically reserves for its DSLRs and mirrorless models.

On paper, the G1 X Mark III’s 22.3 x 14.9mm sensor with 24MP output holds a clear advantage in:

• Image resolution: 6000x4000 pixels vs 3648x2736 pixels
• Dynamic range and high ISO performance: CMOS technology with DIGIC 7 processor surpasses the older CCD and DIGIC 4 lineup
• Depth of field control: Larger sensor allows for more pronounced subject isolation and bokeh potential

This technical superiority translates into images with richer detail - especially visible when cropping or printing large - and significantly better noise control at ISO settings beyond 800. The S90’s sensor, while respectable for its generation, shows limitations in shadows and loses detail earlier at higher ISO. The CCD's color rendition carries a certain vintage charm, but it can’t match the wide dynamic gamut and flexible post-processing latitude of the G1 X III.

Control and Interface: How Each Camera Puts You in Charge

Ergonomics meet user interface in the design of dials, buttons, and screens. The 3-inch articulated touchscreen on the G1 X III is a standout feature, allowing photographers to pivot the display for creative angles and selfie-style shooting (though the camera lacks a designated selfie mode). It offers 1040k dots for crisp preview and menu navigation - a far cry from the fixed 3-inch screen on the S90, with just 461k dots resolution and no touch capabilities.

Canon’s choice to include a built-in electronic viewfinder with the G1 X III (2.36 million dots, 100% coverage) caters to traditionalists and improves usability in bright daylight. The S90 omits a viewfinder entirely, making composing under direct sunlight challenging.

Further, the G1 X III boasts 49 autofocus points (including face detection and contrast and phase detection hybrid AF), contrasted with the S90’s humble 9 contrast detection points and no face detect. Continuous autofocus and tracking capabilities on the G1 X III foster confident shooting of moving subjects, something the S90, with a single AF mode, struggles with.

Lens Capabilities and Aperture: Versatility Meets Brightness

Lens focal range and aperture often dictate a camera's adaptability across genres. The G1 X III's fixed zoom lens features a 24-72mm equivalent focal length at f/2.8-5.6, while the S90 sports a longer reach 28-105mm equivalent f/2.0-4.9 lens.

Though the S90 offers a faster lens at the wide end (f/2.0), useful for low light and shallow depth of field, the G1 X III's wider field at 24mm equivalent provides more comprehensive framing options, beneficial for landscapes and environmental portraits. Importantly, aperture velocity tapers on both, but the G1 X’s sensor size means even a narrower lens lets in sufficiently more light in overall exposure effectiveness.

The macro focusing distances (10cm for G1 X III vs 5cm for S90) also reflect intended usage - the S90 encourages closer macro work with tighter focusing, while the G1 X III, though less close, compensates with a superior stabilizer to maintain focus sharpness.

Shooting Speed and Autofocus Precision

Photographers who chase action - whether wildlife, sports, or street moments - prioritize AF speed and continuous shooting.

The G1 X III’s autofocus, with its hybrid detection system and real-time tracking, is far superior for dynamic subjects. During hands-on sessions, I found the 9 fps burst rate with continuous AF keeps pace with moderate motion capture, though it can’t challenge dedicated DSLRs or mirrorless cameras specialized for high-speed sports.

The S90’s 1 fps burst and no AF tracking, however, felt sluggish and better suited for deliberate, composed shooting rather than fast action.

In the Field: Weather Sealing, Build Quality, and Battery Life Considerations

An often overlooked but critical aspect of camera choice is how it endures real-world shooting conditions.

• The G1 X III is Canon’s only PowerShot series camera at the time to offer environmental sealing, protecting against dust and moisture. This robustness makes it a genuine travel or outdoor workhorse.
• The S90 lacks any weather sealing or ruggedized features - requiring caution in inclement conditions.

Battery life is yet another practical metric. The G1 X III’s built-in battery earns around 200 shots per charge - modest by DSLR standards but acceptable in the compact class. The S90’s NB-6L removable battery lacks published Canon ratings but generally offers less endurance, exacerbated by older battery technology and LCD dependence.

Video Performance: Modern Needs vs Legacy Specifications

Video continues to be a deciding factor for many buyers. Here the gap further widens:

• Canon G1 X III: Full HD (1080p) 60fps video capture with solid image stabilization, MPEG-4 H.264 format, but no 4K or microphone/headphone ports.
• Canon S90: Limited to VGA (640x480) resolution at 30fps, essentially a novelty video tool today.

While the G1 X Mark III’s video capabilities don’t rival purpose-built camcorders or mirrorless hybrids, they accommodate casual videography and travel diaries. The S90 video output is too dated for anything beyond fun, low-res clips.

Practical Photography Applications: Discipline-Specific Insights

To bring these specifications to life, let's break down how each camera fares across popular photography genres.

Portrait Photography

• G1 X III: The combination of APS-C sensor, wide aperture lens (f/2.8), and eye detection AF delivers beautifully smooth skin tones and effective subject-background separation. Articulated touchscreen helps with creative angles and focus selection.
• S90: Smaller sensor limits depth of field and produces less creamy bokeh. Lens advantage at f/2.0 is helpful in lower light but limited by sensor noise at higher ISO.

Landscape Photography

• G1 X III: Larger sensor plus wider lens reach and weather sealing make it excellent for outdoor landscapes with improved dynamic range and color depth. The articulated screen assists when shooting from tricky viewpoints.
• S90: Smaller sensor restricts resolution and dynamic range, making it less suited for large prints or demanding light conditions. No weather sealing, so caution advised outdoors.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• G1 X III: Superior AF system and 9 fps burst facilitate decent wildlife action shots, though lens zoom is relatively modest for distant subjects. Weather sealing is a benefit for field use.
• S90: Limited AF and 1 fps continuous speed make it difficult to capture motion, and telephoto reach (105mm) is insufficient for most wildlife framing.

Street Photography

• S90: Exceptionally discreet and pocketable with fast f/2 lens wide open, ideal for candid street scenes - though lacks viewfinder, which increases framing difficulty in bright settings.
• G1 X III: Larger and heavier, but effective LCD and EVF combination supports framing. Not as pocket-friendly but offers more control and image quality.

Macro Photography

• S90: Closer macro focusing distance (5cm) aids up-close detail capture.
• G1 X III: Macro focusing at 10cm with stabilization helps, but less close - still workable thanks to sharp sensor.

Night and Astro Photography

• G1 X III: Bigger sensor and improved ISO performance up to 25,600 make long exposures and dark scene shooting more successful. Built-in stabilization invaluable for handheld low-light.
• S90: Higher noise floor and smaller sensor limit night scene capabilities.

Travel Photography

• G1 X III: While bulkier, weather sealing, image quality, and versatile zoom lens make it a reliable travel companion.
• S90: Best for extremely light packing and casual snapshots, but image quality and control are limited.

Professional Use and Workflow

• G1 X III: Supports RAW shooting, offers compatibility with Canon’s ecosystem, and outputs large TIFF/JPEG files useful for print and editing workflows.
• S90: Also supports RAW but smaller files and older tech limit professional applications.

Connectivity and Storage: How Smart Is Your Camera?

The G1 X III benefits from built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC - enabling rapid image transfer, remote control, and instant sharing. Its USB port supports tethering and fast data transmission.

The S90 - a product of its time - has none of these wireless features, relying solely on USB 2.0 and manual card reading for file transfers.

Both support single card slots (SD/SDHC/SDXC), though UHS-I speed compatibility on G1 X III confers faster write times for larger files.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Putting Scores into Perspective: Overall and Genre-Specific Performance

Our expert testing team has compiled rigorous testing scores to sum up each camera's overall and genre-specific competencies based on image quality, controls, speed, and usability.

As expected, the G1 X III scores highly in image quality, autofocus, and versatility, making it a strong all-rounder. The S90 shines modestly in portability and macro shooting, appealing to enthusiasts valuing pocket-friendliness and manual lens control.

Real-World Samples: Seeing the Difference in Context

Sample photos deliver the clearest evidence of what these cameras can achieve. Notice the richness of detail, tonal gradations, and low light resilience when comparing shots from each model below.

Canon G1 X III front Canon G1 X III screen back Canon S90 screen back

The G1 X III images exhibit cleaner shadows, richer textures in skies, and smoother bokeh. The S90 tends to produce more contrasty and slightly grainier outcomes.

Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which Camera?

• Choose the Canon G1 X Mark III if:

  • You want an all-around powerful compact with DSLR-grade image quality.
  • Your photography spans landscapes, portraits, travel, and occasional wildlife.
  • You prioritize weather sealing and a responsive hybrid AF system.
  • Video functionality is a bonus but not primary.
  • You're comfortable investing in a well-rounded premium compact.

• Opt for the Canon PowerShot S90 if:

  • You want a pocketable, lightweight compact for street or casual macro work.
  • You prefer a faster lens at the wide end for low-light static shooting.
  • You don’t require fast continuous shooting or advanced AF tracking.
  • Budget constraints favor a lower price point (especially used).
  • Wireless features and top-tier video are less important.

Closing Thoughts: Two Cameras, Different Eras, Timeless Value

The Canon G1 X Mark III and S90 represent two distinct philosophies in compact camera design - the G1 X III as a modern hybrid that challenges mirrorless cameras in quality and usability, the S90 as an iconic small-sensor pione er that redefined manual control in a pocket-sized body. Both remain remarkable in their own right.

If you prize image quality and multi-discipline performance, the G1 X III is clearly the better tool, but it comes at a higher price and size. The S90, even years after release, endures as a capable, charming compact for specialized needs or as a collector’s classic.

In testing and handling these cameras across a range of scenarios, I appreciate what each offers for photographers mindful of their priorities. And I hope this analysis helps you pinpoint which Canon compact camera fits your creative vision best.

For those eager to dive deeper, Canon’s official manuals and dedicated online user forums provide additional insights to complement your hands-on exploration.

Thank you for reading this detailed comparison - feel free to reach out with your own experiences or questions!