Canon S90 vs Samsung TL350

Canon PowerShot S90 vs Samsung TL350: A Deep Dive into Compact Camera Excellence

When it comes to small sensor compacts from the early 2010s, the Canon PowerShot S90 and Samsung TL350 stand out as two of the most compelling options photographers might consider even today for their particular combination of features and image quality. I’ve spent countless hours testing compact cameras from this era, and both these models represent noteworthy efforts to blend portability with advanced photographic control.

In this detailed comparison, I’ll draw from hands-on experience and technical testing benchmarks to help you understand which camera excels in various real-world shooting scenarios - from portraits and landscapes to video and travels - and how their strengths and shortcomings might align with your photographic ambitions.

Let’s start by setting the scene with each camera’s physical design and handling.

First Impressions: Size, Build & Handling

Both the Canon S90 and Samsung TL350 fit into the small sensor compact category, but subtle differences in their shape, ergonomics, and controls shape how they perform in the hand.

The Canon S90 measures 100 x 58 x 31 mm and weighs 195 grams, featuring an all-metal body with a comfortable grip curve and slightly pronounced dial and button placements. The Samsung TL350 is nearly identical in weight, but with a slimmer profile at 22 mm thickness versus Canon’s 31 mm and slightly wider at 100 x 59 mm.

In practice, the S90’s chunkier thickness contributes to a more secure grip especially when shooting one-handed or outdoors, while the TL350’s slender profile favors packing light and unobtrusive street shooting. The Canon's metal construction feels more robust and professional, inspiring confidence for prolonged use.

The top control layouts also reflect different design philosophies:

Canon’s top panel offers a dedicated aperture ring for direct F-stop control - a nod to traditional photographers who want tactile feedback. This wheel, combined with a control dial and a mode dial, provides swift manual adjustment. Samsung eschews the aperture ring, simplifying to a control dial and mode dial, making the TL350 feel more streamlined but less immediately tactile.

I find the S90’s tactile knobs faster for manual exposure changes, especially when switching between aperture and shutter priority modes on the fly - a significant advantage in dynamic shooting scenarios like street photography or events.

Sensor Tech & Image Quality: CCD vs CMOS Sensor

The heart of any camera’s imaging capability is its sensor, and here the two differ fundamentally.

Canon equips the S90 with a 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor measuring 7.44 x 5.58 mm, with a total sensor area of 41.52 mm² and a resolution of 10 megapixels. Samsung TL350 employs a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor sized at 6.08 x 4.56 mm, covering 27.72 mm² with an identical 10-megapixel count.

Larger sensors tend to gather more light, which is critical for low-light performance and dynamic range. The S90’s 1/1.7" sensor offers a 50% larger surface area than the TL350’s 1/2.3" sensor, a factor that tends to translate into improved image quality in terms of noise control and highlight preservation.

The CCD technology in the Canon is somewhat archaic compared to the CMOS in the Samsung, which brings inherent advantages like faster readout speeds and lower power consumption. However, in 2010, the S90’s CCD was still considered a leader for image quality in its class, and favored by enthusiasts for its superior color depth and tonal gradation.

DxOMark scores reinforce this: The S90 earned an overall score of 46, with a standout color depth of 20.2 bits and a respectable dynamic range of 11 EV stops. Unfortunately, Samsung's TL350 wasn't tested on DxOMark, but based on sensor size and CMOS tech, its theoretical dynamic range is typically somewhat narrower, with noisier performance at higher ISOs.

If color accuracy and mid-tone gradation are your priorities - say, for portraiture or nuanced landscape shots - the Canon S90’s CCD sensor remains a compelling choice.

Display & Interface: Making Sense of the View

The rear LCD is your window to composition and playback. Both cameras house fixed 3-inch screens but differ significantly in resolution and usability.

The Canon’s 3.0" fixed screen has a modest 461k-dot resolution, sufficient but less sharp than the Samsung’s crisp 920k-dot display. The TL350’s higher pixel density makes for a noticeably clearer live view interface and more detailed image review - useful when assessing fine focus or exposure in the field.

Neither camera has a viewfinder or a touchscreen, which keeps the experience anchored in traditional compact usability - relying heavily on LCD framing and menus.

The Canon menus feel a bit more intuitive and logically structured for photographers accustomed to Canon’s user interface conventions, while Samsung’s interface has a slimmer menu footprint but can feel less immediately discoverable for manual control options.

Lens and Zoom: Flexibility & Optical Performance

The optical lens range matters more than one might expect on a compact camera since it directly affects creative framing possibilities.

The S90 features a 28-105 mm equivalent zoom (3.8x zoom ratio), with an impressively bright maximum aperture of f/2.0 at wide angle, tapering to f/4.9 at telephoto. This bright wide aperture is a standout and allows superior background separation and low-light handheld shooting.

Samsung’s TL350 zooms from 24-120 mm equivalent (5x zoom), slightly wider on the short end and longer on the telephoto side but at a slower maximum aperture from f/2.4 to f/5.8. This lens offers more framing reach but sacrifices light gathering especially at the telephoto end.

For portrait photographers craving bokeh and low-light flexibility, the Canon’s bright f/2.0 optics deliver a more pronounced and pleasing background blur, giving skin tones a softer, more natural look. The Samsung’s longer reach is handy for casual landscapes or street candid shots but is less adept at isolating subjects in soft focus.

Autofocus & Continuous Shooting: Capturing the Moment

Fast, accurate autofocus is critical for wildlife, sports, and street shooters alike.

The S90 employs contrast-detection autofocus with 9 focus points, delivering single-shot AF only - no continuous or tracking AF modes. This limits its capacity in fast-moving subjects and low-light AF reliability.

Meanwhile, the TL350 also uses contrast-detection AF but is specified to have center-weighted and multi-area AF options with single-shot AF. Its continuous shooting speed hits 10 fps at lower resolution - impressive for the segment and great for capturing fleeting action sequences.

This burst potential favors Samsung for sports or wildlife users aiming to track unpredictable subjects, assuming focus can lock quickly and accurately.

In real-world testing, both cameras struggled somewhat under dim conditions due to their reliance on contrast-detection AF, but the Canon’s lens brightness helps somewhat with focus speed.

Exposure Control & Metering: Flexibility in Varied Light

Both models offer manual exposure controls, aperture and shutter priority modes, and exposure compensation, appealing to enthusiasts.

Canon provides manual focus, shutter speeds ranging from 15 to 1/1600 sec, and offers spot and center-weighted metering modes. Samsung extends shutter speeds from 16 up to 1/2000 sec, and while custom white balance isn’t supported, it compensates with bracketing and various flash modes including manual flash control.

The absence of bracketing on the Canon and lack of custom white balance on the Samsung are minor frustrations, but both cameras deliver solid foundational controls for creative exposure choices.

Burst Rates, Video, and Other Shooting Modes

Samsung TL350 wins the video battle: it offers full HD (1920x1080p) recording at 30fps with H.264 compression, while the Canon S90 maxes at VGA (640x480) resolution. If video recording is part of your workflow, the TL350 is significantly more useful.

Samsung also supports timelapse recording, an appealing feature for nature or astro photographers sketching long-term projects.

The Canon's continuous shooting tops out at 1 frame per second - not exactly ideal for action photography - versus the TL350’s robust 10 fps burst mode (though at a reduced resolution).

Build, Weather Resistance, and Battery Life

Neither camera features official weather sealing or ruggedization, limiting outdoor use under harsh conditions.

Battery life details are sparse, but matching weights and similar compact bodies suggest comparable endurance with their proprietary lithium-ion packs (Canon NB-6L and Samsung SLB-11A). Realistically, both cameras will comfortably handle a day of moderate shooting, but plan on carrying spares for extended trips.

Shooting Experience Across Genres

Let me walk through how these specs translate into practical use across key photography styles.

Portraits:
Canon’s faster f/2.0 aperture delivers superior bokeh and low-light skin tone rendition. The S90’s color depth helps accentuate natural skin hues, while the Samsung’s longer zoom range is less relevant here. Lack of face detection on both models is a limitation but consistent with their age.

Landscape:
The S90's sensor size and dynamic range give richer shadows and highlights, crucial for dramatic vistas. The Samsung’s wider 24mm equivalent start on the zoom helps for tighter indoor or urban landscape framing. Neither has weather sealing, so plan accordingly.

Wildlife:
Samsung’s 10fps burst and longer telephoto reach (120mm vs 105mm) prove advantageous for quick shots of animals at a distance. However, both suffer from slow AF systems, limiting tracking capabilities.

Sports:
The burst rate advantage belongs to Samsung, but slow AF and small sensor size restrict low-light and action sharpness. The Canon's slower continuous shooting limits it mostly to stills with deliberate composition.

Street:
Canon’s compact handling and bright lens support discreet shooting in low light with faster exposures. Samsung’s slim body helps pocketability but the slower lens and dimmer apertures can restrict options at night.

Macro:
Both cameras focus to 5 cm, excellent for close-up photography. The Canon’s wider aperture aids blurred backgrounds and faster shutter speeds for sharper handheld macro shots.

Night / Astro:
The Canon’s larger sensor and better dynamic range edge out the Samsung for star fields and night scenes. However, long exposure capabilities are limited by electronic stability and lack of dedicated astro modes.

Video:
Samsung TL350’s Full HD output with timelapse is clear winner here. The Canon’s VGA quality is now dated even by 2010 standards.

Travel:
Both cameras are compact and lightweight, but the Canon’s handling edge and bright lens suit varied lighting conditions well. Samsung offers slightly better LCD clarity and longer zoom versatility.

Professional Work:
Neither camera fully fits professional demands but Canon’s RAW support and color rendition make it preferable for casual professional use in environments where DSLR heft is prohibitive.

User Interface, Connectivity & Storage

Both models store images on SD/SDHC cards, with the Samsung also allowing internal memory use. Neither offers wireless connectivity - an unfortunate but typical omission for the period.

USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs are present on both, enabling tethered shooting and HD playback respectively.

Canon offers more detailed manual focus controls, aperture ring, and exposure adjustment dials, nudging control enthusiasts in its direction.

Pricing & Value Considerations

The Canon S90 is typically priced higher (around $598 at launch) than the Samsung TL350 (about $400), reflecting its positioning as a premium compact. This premium is justified by the larger sensor, brighter optics, and refined manual control layout.

For budget-minded buyers prioritizing burst shooting, video capability, and zoom versatility, the Samsung TL350 offers commendable value. Those who place image quality and handling first will find the Canon worth the extra investment.

Summary of Technical & User-Tested Scores

Here we see the Canon excel in image quality and handling, while Samsung edges video and speed. Neither is perfect, but each suits distinct shooting approaches.

Final Verdict and Recommendations

Who should buy the Canon PowerShot S90?
If you’re a photographer valuing image quality above all else - especially in portraits, macro, and low light - the S90’s larger sensor and bright f/2.0 lens make it a gem. Its manual controls and robust build reward enthusiasts willing to engage with settings. For travel photographers who shoot in varied conditions and care about subtle tonal gradations, it’s a reliable choice. The natural color palette and gentle bokeh remain appealing today.

Who should pick the Samsung TL350?
If you want fast shooting speeds, a longer zoom range, and solid Full HD video capability, the TL350 is the smarter compact. It fits casual shooters, vloggers, and street photographers who appreciate a slimmer body and a crisp display but poorer low-light image quality. Budget constraints also lean in Samsung’s favor, providing versatile features at a lower price point.

Sample Image Comparison: Putting Pixels to the Test

Canon S90 screen back Samsung TL350 front Samsung TL350 screen back

In controlled testing, Canon images demonstrate better noise control at ISO 800 and richer tonal transitions. Samsung’s images show more pronounced sharpening artifacts and higher noise levels, especially at telephoto zoom.

In closing, the Canon S90 vs Samsung TL350 debate is an elegant example of early-2010s compact camera design trade-offs: sensor size and image quality versus zoom range and video function. Both remain worthy picks depending on your shooting style, budget, and how much you value manual control.

Hopefully, this comprehensive, experience-informed comparison has armed you with enough insight to decide which compact fits your photographic journey best.

Happy shooting!