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Canon N vs Canon S90

Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34
Canon PowerShot N front
 
Canon PowerShot S90 front
Portability
92
Imaging
33
Features
42
Overall
36

Canon N vs Canon S90 Key Specs

Canon N
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 195g - 79 x 60 x 29mm
  • Released January 2013
Canon S90
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28-105mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 195g - 100 x 58 x 31mm
  • Revealed April 2010
  • New Model is Canon S95
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Canon N vs Canon S90 Overview

Here, we are comparing the Canon N vs Canon S90, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and both are manufactured by Canon. The image resolution of the N (12MP) and the S90 (10MP) is fairly comparable but the N (1/2.3") and S90 (1/1.7") have totally different sensor sizes.

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The N was launched 2 years later than the S90 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple overview of how the N matches up against the S90 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon N over the Canon S90

 N S90 
RevealedJanuary 2013April 2010More recent by 34 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Canon S90 over the Canon N

 S90 N 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display size3"2.8"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon N and Canon S90

 N S90 
Display resolution461k461kEqual display resolution

Canon N vs Canon S90 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to lug around your camera often, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon N enjoys physical dimensions of 79mm x 60mm x 29mm (3.1" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs) whilst the Canon S90 has measurements of 100mm x 58mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") with a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs).

Check the Canon N vs Canon S90 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the N against the S90.

Canon N vs Canon S90 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the N and S90 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Canon N vs Canon S90 top view buttons comparison

Canon N vs Canon S90 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to see the gap in sensor measurements simply by seeing technical specs. The photograph below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the N and S90.

As you have seen, both cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The N due to its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Canon N will show more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The fresher N will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon N vs Canon S90 sensor size comparison

Canon N vs Canon S90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon N vs Canon S90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon N Portrait photography information
Canon S90 Portrait photography information
21
manual focus not available
no manual mode
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
39
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/500 seconds)
supports RAW files
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Canon N Street photography highlights
Canon S90 Street photography highlights
65
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Canon N Sports photography details
Canon S90 Sports photography details
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery (200 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
26
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon N Travel photography details
Canon S90 Travel photography details
61
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
reasonably wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
low battery (200 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
63
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
no Time Lapse recording
low resolution sensor (10MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon N
Landscape photography with Canon S90
35
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is good (2.8 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
low battery (200 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
52
you can focus manually
pretty wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon N Vlogging details
Canon S90 Vlogging details
72
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have microphone jack
31
pretty wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Optical)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
no mic jack
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Canon N vs Canon S90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon N and Canon S90
 Canon PowerShot NCanon PowerShot S90
General Information
Brand Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot N Canon PowerShot S90
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-01-07 2010-04-08
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 5 Digic 4
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 2248 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-224mm (8.0x) 28-105mm (3.8x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 4.8
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.8" 3"
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dot 461 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology PureColor II G touch -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 6.50 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/500 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 ( 240 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format H.264 H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 195g (0.43 lb) 195g (0.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 79 x 60 x 29mm (3.1" x 2.4" x 1.1") 100 x 58 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 46
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.0
DXO Low light score not tested 185
Other
Battery life 200 images -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-9L NB-6L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus card
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $299 $599