Clicky

Canon S90 vs Canon SX400 IS

Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
42
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot S90 front
 
Canon PowerShot SX400 IS front
Portability
81
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Canon S90 vs Canon SX400 IS Key Specs

Canon S90
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Refreshed by Canon S95
Canon SX400 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 313g - 104 x 69 x 80mm
  • Introduced July 2014
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Canon S90 vs Canon SX400 IS Overview

The following is a comprehensive analysis of the Canon S90 versus Canon SX400 IS, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both offered by Canon. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the S90 (10MP) and SX400 IS (16MP) and the S90 (1/1.7") and SX400 IS (1/2.3") boast different sensor size.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

The S90 was revealed 5 years earlier than the SX400 IS which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a detailed comparison, here is a concise view of how the S90 grades versus the SX400 IS with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon S90 over the Canon SX400 IS

 S90 SX400 IS 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Canon SX400 IS over the Canon S90

 SX400 IS S90 
IntroducedJuly 2014April 2010Newer by 52 months

Common features in the Canon S90 and Canon SX400 IS

 S90 SX400 IS 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Canon S90 vs Canon SX400 IS Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon S90 features external dimensions of 100mm x 58mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") and a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs) whilst the Canon SX400 IS has sizing of 104mm x 69mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.1") and a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs).

Check out the Canon S90 versus Canon SX400 IS in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the S90 compared to the SX400 IS.

Canon S90 vs Canon SX400 IS size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the S90 and SX400 IS is 92 and 81 respectively.

Canon S90 vs Canon SX400 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon S90 vs Canon SX400 IS Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions just by viewing a spec sheet. The image below may give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S90 and SX400 IS.

As you can see, the 2 cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The S90 with its larger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh easier and the Canon SX400 IS will result in more detail because of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged S90 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Canon S90 vs Canon SX400 IS sensor size comparison

Canon S90 vs Canon SX400 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon S90 vs Canon SX400 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon S90 Portrait photography info
Canon SX400 IS Portrait photography info
40
manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
delivers RAW formats
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
35
decent megapixels (16MP)
includes face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Canon S90 Street photography advice
Canon SX400 IS Street photography advice
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
52
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Canon S90 as a Sports photography camera
Canon SX400 IS as a Sports photography camera
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect AF
42
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (190 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Canon S90 as a Travel photography camera
Canon SX400 IS as a Travel photography camera
63
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (10MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
60
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
bad battery life (190 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Canon S90 Landscape photography advice
Canon SX400 IS Landscape photography advice
52
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
does not have Time Lapse mode
40
really wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
manual exposure not available
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
bad battery life (190 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse function
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Canon S90 Vlogging info
Canon SX400 IS Vlogging info
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Optical)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have mic support
28
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic support
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Canon S90 vs Canon SX400 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon S90 and Canon SX400 IS
 Canon PowerShot S90Canon PowerShot SX400 IS
General Information
Make Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot S90 Canon PowerShot SX400 IS
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-04-08 2014-07-29
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 Digic 4+
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-105mm (3.8x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.4-5.8
Macro focus distance 5cm 0cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.50 m 5.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, on, off, slow synchro
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/500 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 195g (0.43 lbs) 313g (0.69 lbs)
Physical dimensions 100 x 58 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") 104 x 69 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 46 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 185 not tested
Other
Battery life - 190 images
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L NB-11LH
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $599 $229