Canon PowerShot S90 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W370: A Detailed Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

Choosing the right compact camera means aligning your gear with your creative ambitions, whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or seeking a capable travel companion. Today, we’re diving into two notable compact cameras from the early 2010s - the Canon PowerShot S90 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W370. Each embodies unique design philosophies and technical decisions that influenced their performance and user experience. Our goal is to provide you with an expert, hands-on evaluation that clarifies their strengths, weaknesses, and suitability across diverse photographic pursuits.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

When evaluating compact cameras, ergonomics and physical design often set the tone for your connection to the tool. The physical dimensions and weight of these cameras immediately reveal their handling characteristics.

• Canon S90: Measures 100 x 58 x 31 mm, weighing approximately 195 g.
• Sony W370: Slightly slimmer and lighter at 100 x 57 x 26 mm and 179 g.

Although both are pocketable without trouble, the S90’s slightly more substantial build translates into a more confident grip and more dedicated control dials, aiding in direct manual operation. The Sony’s slimmer profile appeals to minimalists valuing size above tactile control.

Looking at the control layout:

• The S90 features a traditional control scheme with manual focus ring on the lens barrel, customizable function buttons, and an intuitive mode dial. This enables swift access to aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual modes - welcome for photographers targeting creative exposure control.
• The W370 has a more simplified interface - no manual focus ring and limited exposure mode toggling. Intended for point-and-shoot convenience, it falls short if you want granular setting adjustments.

For enthusiasts valuing decisive, tactile feedback and manual overrides, the S90 wins on ergonomics and control philosophy, while the W370 caters well to casual users prioritizing simplicity.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Diving under the hood, sensor technology and image quality drive ultimate photographic outcomes.

From experience testing numerous compact cameras of this vintage, sensor size is a pivotal factor. The S90’s 1/1.7” CCD sensor is notably larger than the Sony’s 1/2.3”. This larger sensor area gives the S90 a clear advantage in terms of:

• Noise performance: Especially at ISO 800 and above, the S90 exhibits cleaner images with less luminance and chroma noise.
• Dynamic range: Canon’s sensor offers around 11 EV of dynamic range, compared to Sony’s smaller sensor which typically yields less room in highlights and shadows.
• Color depth: The 20.2-bit color depth of the S90 allows for richer tones and smoother gradation.

Though the Sony W370 packs a higher megapixel count, this is somewhat misleading. The pixels are more densely packed on the smaller sensor, often resulting in less light captured per pixel, potentially increasing noise and reducing quality. Furthermore, the S90’s ability to shoot RAW files gives you flexibility in post-processing - a feature invaluable for professionals and keen enthusiasts.

In practical shooting, the S90 consistently delivers more pleasing skin tones and nuanced landscapes, while the Sony produces acceptable JPEGs but lacks the latitude RAW affords.

Focusing Systems and Responsiveness: Staying Sharp When it Counts

Autofocus performance can make or break your shooting experience, particularly in fast-moving scenarios.

Both cameras rely solely on contrast-detection autofocus, which in low light or challenging contrast conditions can lead to slower focus acquisition compared to modern phase-detection systems.

The Canon S90’s manual focus ring allows fine-tuning, ideal for macro and low-contrast situations where autofocus may stall. This is a rare advantage in compacts and particularly beneficial if you pursue portrait or macro photography, where precise focusing of eyes or small subjects matters.

The Sony W370 lacks manual focus, limiting you to the autofocus system. While autofocus speed is adequate for casual snapshots, serious shooters may find it limiting, especially with its 2 fps burst rate which may miss split-second actions in wildlife or sports.

Lens and Optics: Creative Flexibility vs. Zoom Reach

Lens characteristics influence framing and creative possibilities.

The Canon S90 shines with its fast f/2.0 aperture at the wide end, enabling:

• Better low-light performance
• Shallower depth-of-field for subject isolation and creamy bokeh, crucial for portraits
• Greater creative control over exposure

The Sony W370 offers a longer reach with its 7× zoom extending to 238mm, advantageous if you want a versatile all-in-one compact for wildlife, travel, or casual telephoto shots.

However, its slower aperture limits low-light use and reduces bokeh quality. The absence of documented macro capability reduces versatility in close-up shooting compared to the S90's 5 cm macro focus range, allowing detailed textures and small objects to come into sharp focus.

In summary, if your emphasis is portraits, close-ups, or atmospheric low-light images, the S90’s lens is better suited. For travelers requiring extra telephoto reach in a compact body, the W370 may win points, but aperture limitations are a tradeoff.

Display and Viewfinder: Composing Your Shots

Both models forgo optical or electronic viewfinders, relying instead on LCD screens.

The S90’s 461k-dot screen provides a noticeably sharper, clearer image, critical when reviewing sharpness, composition, and exposure on the fly. The W370’s 230k-dot panel delivers a darker, grainier preview, making critical assessment harder in bright conditions.

Neither has touch capability or articulation, which is consistent with the era but may feel restrictive if you often shoot from unconventional angles.

Video Capabilities: Recording Quality and Flexibility

Video is an important aspect for many content creators.

Though the Sony W370 supports higher resolution HD video (720p) compared to the S90's VGA quality (640x480), the latter’s H.264 compression tends to produce more efficient files with better image quality and color fidelity.

Neither device offers external audio input/output, limiting professional audio upgrades. Optical image stabilization aids handheld video steadiness on both cameras, but footage will still benefit from rig stabilization or gimbals if you want cinematic smoothness.

If video is a deciding factor, the W370 provides more modern HD recording, albeit with older codec standards and no audio input.

Battery Life, Connectivity, and Storage: Practical Considerations

Neither model offers wireless connectivity such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, bounding your workflow to physical media transfer.

The Canon uses proprietary batteries known for moderate endurance - expect around 220 shots per charge under normal use. Sony’s NP-BN1 offers roughly similar performance, but both will require carrying spares during extended outings.

Sony’s support for Memory Stick formats provides greater flexibility but also means you may need specific cards. Canon's use of ubiquitous SD-based cards is a convenience consideration.

Real-World Use Cases: Matching Each Camera to Your Photography Style

We’ve reviewed their specs and technologies; now let’s connect those insights to real photography applications.

Portrait Photography

• Canon S90: Its fast f/2.0 aperture, larger sensor, and manual focus ring enable smooth skin tone rendering and selective bokeh with good background separation. Its RAW support allows fine-tuning tones in post-production. Perfect for casual portraits and street photographers desiring subject isolation.

• Sony W370: Smaller sensor and slower aperture reduce bokeh quality and skin tone nuance. More limited manual control means less creative flexibility.

Landscape Photography

• Canon S90: Larger sensor delivers better dynamic range capturing shadows and highlights simultaneously, significant when shooting bright skies and shaded foregrounds. Fixed lens covers a practical wide end (28mm) for broad vistas.

• Sony W370: Higher resolution photos allow bigger prints but at the expense of dynamic range and noise. The narrower wide angle (34mm) may feel restrictive for sweeping landscapes.

Wildlife Photography

• Canon S90: Slow continuous shooting at 1 fps and limited autofocus tracking restrict suitability for fast wildlife action. Shorter focal reach (105mm equivalent) and slow aperture limit telephoto effectiveness.

• Sony W370: With 7× zoom reaching 238mm, the W370 offers better reach for distant subjects. Despite faster 2 fps burst rate, the sluggish autofocus and slow aperture still pose challenges.

Sports Photography

Neither camera is designed for professional sports; low frame rates and contrast-based autofocus are limiting. Sports shooters should consider DSLRs or mirrorless systems with advanced AF tracking.

Street Photography

• Canon S90: Compact size combined with manual controls and coaxial lens ring makes it a strong choice for discreet candid photography. Low-light capability is better, enabling handheld shooting in dim scenes.

• Sony W370: Even smaller and lighter but less capable in low light, best suited for bright daylight urban scenes.

Macro Photography

• Canon S90: Macro focusing down to 5 cm permits detailed close-ups of flowers and insects. Manual focus helps nail critical sharpness.

• Sony W370: No specific macro specification; expect average close-focus performance, less ideal for serious macro work.

Night and Astro Photography

• Canon S90: Higher ISO performance up to 3200 with manageable noise levels plus manual exposure control make it a better low-light performer. Longer shutter speeds (up to 15 seconds) enable star trails and nightscapes.

• Sony W370: Minimally limited ISO, shortest shutter 2 seconds restrict long-exposure capability.

Video and Vlogging

• Sony W370: HD 720p recording offers visibly better resolution for casual videos. However, poor audio options and lack of stabilization beyond optical limit usefulness.

• Canon S90: Lower video resolution and older codec, but stable and color-accurate for basic video clipping.

Travel Photography

• Sony W370: Lightweight, longer zoom, and simple controls appeal to tourists prioritizing ease of use and versatility.

• Canon S90: Added manual control and better image quality suit travelers keen on creative photography and willing to handle more settings.

Canon S90 screen back Sony W370 front Sony W370 screen back

Overall Reliability, Workflow Integration, and Value

Both cameras lack environmental sealing, meaning careful handling needed outdoors.

The ability to shoot RAW with the S90 makes it far superior for serious editing workflows. Sony’s reliance on JPEG limits post-processing flexibility.

Considering price, the W370 was positioned as an entry-level affordable compact, while the S90 targeted enthusiast photographers willing to invest more for advanced features.

Performance Ratings and Genre-Specific Scores

Our lab benchmarks alongside field testing yield the following insights:

• Canon S90 ranks higher across image quality, low light, and creative controls.
• Sony W370 scores better in zoom reach and casual video capture.

Final Verdict: Who Should Choose Which Camera?

Choose the Canon PowerShot S90 if:

• You want superior image quality with better low-light performance and color depth.
• Manual control over focus and exposure is important.
• You need RAW support for more robust post-processing.
• You shoot portraits, landscapes, or macros and appreciate bokeh.
• You prefer a camera designed towards a more engaged photographic experience.

Choose the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W370 if:

• You desire a compact, lightweight point-and-shoot with very long zoom reach for travel or casual shooting.
• You prioritize basic photo capture with easy-to-use automated modes.
• HD video recording at 720p is important.
• You’re on a tighter budget and value convenience over advanced features.

Getting Started, Accessories, and Next Steps

If either camera piques your interest, here are some actionable tips:

• Try handling each camera in-store if possible to feel the control schemes.
• Consider investing in quality SD cards and extra batteries given their lack of wireless transfer and moderate battery life.
• For the S90, explore lens hoods or clip-on filters to expand creative possibilities.
• For the W370, aim to shoot in bright daylight to combat noise and mild lens speed constraints.
• Consider editing software compatibility - RAW support favors programs like Adobe Lightroom for the S90.

Wrapping Up

Both Canon PowerShot S90 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W370 reflect thoughtful designs serving different niches within the compact camera market. The S90 impresses as an enthusiast-grade tool focusing on image quality and user control, while the W370 answers demands for easy handling and extended zoom reach at a friendly price.

Your choice will hinge on whether you prioritize creative control and image fidelity or desire straightforward portability with reach. We encourage you to leverage this detailed comparison to find the compact camera that best supports your photographic expression.

Happy shooting!