Canon S90 vs Nikon AW100
92 Imaging
34 Features
42 Overall
37


93 Imaging
39 Features
28 Overall
34
Canon S90 vs Nikon AW100 Key Specs
(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
- Successor is Canon S95
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 3200
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-140mm (F3.9-4.8) lens
- 178g - 110 x 65 x 23mm
- Introduced August 2011
- Refreshed by Nikon AW110

Canon S90 vs Nikon AW100 Overview
In this article, we will be evaluating the Canon S90 versus Nikon AW100, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There exists a huge gap among the image resolutions of the S90 (10MP) and AW100 (16MP) and the S90 (1/1.7") and AW100 (1/2.3") come with different sensor sizes.

The S90 was brought out 16 months earlier than the AW100 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the S90 matches up against the AW100 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon S90 vs Nikon AW100 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot S90 and Nikon Coolpix AW100. The entire galleries are available at Canon S90 Gallery and Nikon AW100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon S90 over the Nikon AW100
S90 | AW100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper screen (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Canon S90
AW100 | S90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | August 2011 | ![]() | April 2010 | Fresher by 16 months |
Common features in the Canon S90 and Nikon AW100
S90 | AW100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Canon S90 vs Nikon AW100 Physical Comparison
When you are going to carry your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon S90 enjoys 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) and the Nikon AW100 has measurements of 110mm x 65mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") having a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).
Compare the Canon S90 versus Nikon AW100 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the S90 compared to the AW100.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S90 and AW100 is 92 and 93 respectively.

Canon S90 vs Nikon AW100 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, its tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizing merely by viewing technical specs. The visual below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the S90 and AW100.
As you can tell, the 2 cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The S90 because of its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Nikon AW100 will render extra detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older S90 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon S90 vs Nikon AW100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon S90 vs Nikon AW100 Specifications
Canon PowerShot S90 | Nikon Coolpix AW100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot S90 | Nikon Coolpix AW100 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Waterproof |
Revealed | 2010-04-08 | 2011-08-24 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
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 | 10 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | - |
Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 125 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-105mm (3.8x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/2.0-4.9 | f/3.9-4.8 |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | - |
Focal length multiplier | 4.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 461k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | - | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames per sec | 3.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 6.50 m | - |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | - |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/500 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720 (60 fps),640 x 480 (120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 195 grams (0.43 pounds) | 178 grams (0.39 pounds) |
Dimensions | 100 x 58 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") | 110 x 65 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") |
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 model | NB-6L | EN-EL12 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | - |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus card | SD / SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $599 | $299 |