Canon S90 vs Samsung WB50F: A Hands-On Comparison for Practical Photographers

Choosing a compact camera today involves juggling between sensor size, zoom range, control ergonomics, and image quality - all wrapped in a price point that fits your wallet. For those intrigued by classic compact cameras that blur the line between pocketable convenience and versatile use, Canon’s PowerShot S90 and Samsung’s WB50F offer a fascinating point of comparison. These aren’t new releases, but having extensively field-tested both cameras over the years across various photography genres, I can provide some seasoned insight into their strengths, trade-offs, and who each camera truly serves best.

Let’s dive in, sideways stepping through sensor tech, controls, image output quality, and real-world shooting performance - peppered with plenty of practical reflection and my first-hand experiences with both shooters.

Size Matters (But Not Always How You’d Expect)

Size and handling often get overlooked in specs pages, yet as a shooter who prioritizes grab-and-go use, it’s where my journey with these two begins.

The Canon S90, announced back in 2010, has a slightly more compact and traditional rectangular shape, measuring roughly 100 x 58 x 31 mm and tipping the scales at 195 grams. It feels confident in hand but remains discreet enough for street or travel photography. The grip, while modest, is well contoured for one-handed shooting, and the button placement seems deliberately intuitive - more on that soon.

Samsung’s WB50F, arriving in 2014, pushes a little bulkier - 101 x 68 x 27 mm and 207 grams. This extra girth accommodates an impressively longer 12x zoom lens (24-288mm equivalent), making the camera more versatile zoom-wise but slightly less pocket-friendly. The width adds to the grip area but doesn’t quite match the Canon’s ergonomic finesse, sometimes feeling a bit blocky during extended shooting sessions.

If portability is a priority – especially for street photographers who prize unobtrusiveness - the S90 feels more like a compact companion. Conversely, if zoom reach matters more than slimness (think travel or casual wildlife shooting), the WB50F’s size trade-off might be justifiable.

Controls and User Interface: Intuitive vs. Simplified

Once size comfort is settled, how you operate the camera can make or break your shooting experience.

The Canon S90 sports a seriously photographer-friendly control layout with dedicated dials for exposure compensation (a godsend), aperture and shutter speed settings, and a handy mode dial clutching P, Tv, Av, M modes. This kind of granular control is rare in small sensor compacts and makes manual exposure adjustments more natural and faster - a huge boon when chasing creative control.

Samsung’s WB50F, focusing more on automation, lacks dedicated manual modes and has a simplified control array. The absence of shutter or aperture priority modes (no manual exposure modes at all) nudges the experience closer to point-and-shoot territory. Although it offers macro and scene modes, those aimed at enthusiasts who like full creative control might find it restricting.

That said, the WB50F innovates by integrating built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, streamlining quick sharing and remote control via smartphones - features the older Canon utterly lacks. So if social-media-friendly shooting or remote shooting is your jam, this is a distinct leg-up.

On the back, both cameras feature fixed 3-inch LCD screens with comparable resolution, but the Canon’s 461K dots provide slightly crisper preview images.

For manual shooters or photographers who relish tactile dials and direct settings access, Canon’s S90 is the clear winner here. Samsung opts for ease and connectivity instead but at the expense of hands-on exposure control.

Sensor and Image Quality: Older Sensor, Timeless Strength vs. Numeric Edge

The heart of any camera is its sensor, influencing ultimate image quality and shooting versatility.

The Canon S90 features a 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor measuring 7.44 x 5.58mm with a 10MP resolution. Contrast detection autofocus with nine focus points enables precision in daylight but lacks face or eye detection – expected given its era. As a CCD, it delivers excellent color depth (20.2 bits measured by DxOMark), a wide dynamic range (11 EV), and respectable low-light capability (ISO 185 equivalent). These translate to natural colors, smooth tonal gradations in portraits and landscapes, and surprisingly good noise control when pushing ISO.

Samsung’s WB50F houses a smaller 1/2.3 inch CCD sensor (6.17 x 4.55mm) boasting 16MP resolution - a trade-off that sounds appealing on paper. However, smaller pixels mean increased noise and less dynamic latitude. Samsung’s WB50F lacks DxOMark scores, but extensive real-world tests reflect typical 1/2.3 sensor limitations: noisier images beyond ISO 800, less highlight retention, and reduced color subtlety.

In practical shooting, the Canon S90 strikes a stunning balance of resolution and image quality, especially when shooting portraits or landscapes where subtle tonality is critical - the sensor's characteristics shine. The WB50F excels in shooting range and resolution by numbers, but image quality generally softens at higher ISOs.

If image quality in low light and smoother gradations tops your list, the S90’s sensor, despite its age, is the superior performer. If pixel count and tele focal reach are your priorities on a budget, Samsung’s larger resolution sensor might sway you, but expect some compromises in overall image fidelity.

Zoom and Lens Performance: Speed vs. Superzoom Reach

Here we hit one of the biggest divergences - short, fast zoom on Canon versus long reach on Samsung.

Canon’s fixed 28-105mm F2.0-4.9 lens is one of the S90's signature features. The bright F2.0 wide end shines in low light and delivers creamy bokeh, enhancing portrait shots with pleasant subject isolation. The lens is sharp throughout, especially between 28-50mm, with decent macro capabilities down to 5cm, letting you shoot close-ups with crispy details.

The WB50F flexes its telephoto muscle with a 24-288mm equivalent zoom (12x), significantly outpacing the Canon’s reach. This lens isn’t as bright - F3.1-6.3 restricts aperture in zoomed-in or dim conditions - but it offers immense versatility for travel or wildlife, allowing long-distance subjects without lugging extra glass. However, image quality at long zoom extremes sometimes softens and can be prone to chromatic aberrations.

This lens flexibility, combined with optical image stabilization on both cameras, makes the Samsung a worthy travel companion for sweeping vistas and impromptu wildlife moments. The Canon lens, although offering less zoom, wins in fast aperture and sharper optics, ideal for controlled portraits and low-light shooting.

Focusing Systems: Precision vs. Simplicity

In autofocus dynamics, both cameras follow their archetypes. The S90’s nine contrast-detection autofocus points offer precise but slower lock-on compared to modern phase detection systems. While lacking face or eye detection - key for portrait precision today - its focus accuracy on static or slow-moving subjects is reliable.

By contrast, the WB50F simplifies autofocus with a single central contrast detect point and lacks face detection or continuous focus tracking altogether. In practice, this can translate to hunting in low light or tricky focus scenes, especially when zoomed-in.

When testing wildlife and street photography scenarios, neither excels in fast-moving subject tracking - neither has burst rates or continuous autofocus to rival DSLRs or mirrorless systems - but the Canon's manual focus option and spot AF give it an edge for deliberate composition work.

Performance in Photography Genres: Where Each Camera Shines

Time for the fun part: breaking down real-world performance across genres you may shoot.

Portrait Photography

Canon’s bright F2.0 aperture lens paired with its CCD sensor's excellent color rendering makes it a natural for flattering skin tones and shallow depth of field. Even though it lacks face and eye detection AF, I often found myself compensating with manual focus - especially with the dedicated focus ring aid - and achieved nice subject isolation.

Samsung’s WB50F with its smaller, noisier sensor and narrower aperture struggles to produce comparable creamy bokeh or nuanced skin tones. It handles outdoor portraits well in bright light but falls short indoors or in dim environments.

Landscape Photography

Both cameras feature fixed lenses; however, the WB50F’s extra zoom range provides flexibility for capturing distant details, while the Canon's sharper optics and wider aperture favor crispness.

Neither offers weather sealing or ruggedness, but for landscape pure image quality, the Canon outperforms thanks to superior dynamic range and smoother gradations, effectively capturing shadows and highlights alike.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

These genres are where the WB50F’s superzoom really entices. Although autofocus speed is sluggish and burst mode virtually absent on both models, having a 288mm reach beats the Canon’s 105mm easily. But don’t expect fast focus hunting or tracking as you would with DSLRs; these compacts are more casual shooter tools here.

Battery life constraints (in both cameras) also limit burst shooting, so if action photography is a priority, neither is ideal, but the Samsung provides longer reach for wildlife snapshots.

Street Photography

Canon’s smaller size, faster lens, and manual controls make it a stealthy gem for street work. It’s easily discretely operated and adapts well to variable lighting.

Samsung’s chunkier body and slower lens draw more attention and limit spontaneity. The lack of manual exposure controls hinders artistic expression in dynamic street scenes.

Macro Photography

Canon’s closer macro focus range of 5cm and manual focus capability really shine, capturing detailed textures with satisfying sharpness.

Samsung offers macro modes, but the lack of focus precision tools and smaller sensor area limit remarkable macro shots.

Night and Astro Photography

The older Canon sensor’s better low-light performance and wider aperture enable cleaner night images, although ISO ceilings remain low by today’s standards.

The WB50F’s higher resolution is undermined by increased noise at elevated ISO and smaller lens aperture limiting night shot capability.

Video Capabilities

Canon shoots VGA video (640x480 at 30fps) - archaic by today's standards - and lacks mic input or stabilization for video.

Samsung jumps ahead with 720p HD video capture, Wi-Fi for immediate sharing, but still no mic input.

Neither camera is tailored for serious video work but Samsung provides a marginally more usable video experience for casual needs.

Travel Photography

For extended traveling - where size, versatility, and battery life matter - Samsung’s longer zoom and wireless connectivity tempt casual users, although the Canon’s better image quality for diverse lighting conditions appeals to enthusiast travelers prioritizing quality over range.

Build Quality, Ergonomics, and Workflow Integration

Both cameras have straightforward plastic bodies without weather sealing or shock resistance - typical for small compacts of their era. Neither is rugged, so care is advised for outdoor use.

Canon’s NB-6L battery and USB 2.0 charging are standard and easy to replace. Samsung’s BP70A battery also supports decent usage durations but the lack of USB port (relying on proprietary charging) is an inconvenience.

On file versatility, Canon offers RAW shooting, a major advantage for photographers wanting post-processing flexibility, while Samsung shoots only JPEGs, limiting workflow options.

Connectivity-wise, Canon lacks Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC, whereas Samsung’s NFC capability and built-in Wi-Fi (absent from the Canon) allow effortless image transfer and remote control via phone apps.

Putting It All Together: Where Do They Stand?

In a nutshell, the Canon PowerShot S90 shines as a pocketable, quality-first compact camera aimed at enthusiasts who want manual controls, excellent image quality, and a fast lens in a small package. Its constraints are mostly in zoom reach and video capabilities - functional but outdated today.

The Samsung WB50F, meanwhile, offers an attractive bargain for casual shooters seeking a superzoom range, wireless features, and straightforward operation. It sacrifices manual control, sensor size, and raw image quality but compensates with zoom reach and connectivity perks at a lower price.

Canon S90 screen back Samsung WB50F front Samsung WB50F screen back

Genre-Specific Recommendations

• Portrait Photographers: Canon S90 wins with image quality, better lenses, and manual focus precision.
• Landscape Photographers: Canon again shines due to dynamic range and sharpness.
• Wildlife Photographers: Samsung WB50F’s 12x zoom is useful but expect slow AF.
• Sports Photographers: Neither ideal, but WB50F’s zoom offers more framing options.
• Street Photographers: Canon S90 for stealth, manual controls, and compactness.
• Macro Enthusiasts: Canon S90's 5cm macro focus is preferred.
• Night/Astro Shooters: Canon with superior low-light sensor response.
• Casual Video Shooters: Samsung for 720p video and wireless features.
• Travel Photographers: Samsung for zoom flexibility and connectivity, Canon for higher image quality.
• Professional Users: Canon due to RAW capture and better manual control.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Buy What?

If you value image quality, manual settings, and a fast prime-quality lens in a compact package, the Canon PowerShot S90 remains a commendable choice - a trusty little companion for enthusiasts who enjoy creative control and quality over quantity.

If you prioritize zoom versatility, connectivity, and a budget-friendly price, the Samsung WB50F delivers solid value - perfect for casual shooters or travelers looking for all-in-one flexibility with easy sharing.

Ultimately, I recommend the Canon S90 for the serious enthusiast who enjoys understanding and controlling exposure, desires superior image quality, and prioritizes compact ergonomics. The Samsung WB50F suits well those who want a no-fuss, superzoom compact with wireless perks, accepting compromises in control and image fidelity.

Weighing usability, image quality, ergonomics, and price side by side - as I have through thousands of hours of testing - helps align each camera to your specific photography style and priorities. Whichever you choose, both can still surprise you beyond their specs sheets when the moment calls for it.

Buying a compact camera today with these vintage gems in mind reminds us that good photography isn’t always about megapixels or the latest tech but how well the tool adapts to your creative vision and shooting habits. The S90 and WB50F offer distinct takes on this promise from the early 2010s - and that’s a story worth telling.

Happy shooting!