Canon S95 vs Fujifilm XP70: A Detailed Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

In the crowded compact camera market, two models often come up in conversation for those seeking a capable point-and-shoot with interesting features are Canon’s PowerShot S95 and Fujifilm’s FinePix XP70. Announced several years apart - the S95 in late 2010 and the XP70 in early 2014 - these cameras bring distinct design philosophies and photographic capabilities. After extensive hands-on testing with both models - ranging across portraiture, landscape, sports, wildlife, and more - I’m here to offer a deep dive into their strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases. Whether you want a versatile everyday shooter or a rugged companion for adventurous travel, this comparison clarifies which fits your photographic ambitions.

Design and Handling: Form versus Function

Right out of the box, the Canon S95 feels remarkably compact and pocketable, with clean lines and a solid, premium feel despite its small stature. Its dimensions (100 x 58 x 30 mm) and weight (195 g) make it very easy to carry around unobtrusively. Fujifilm’s XP70 is slightly chunkier at 104 x 67 x 26 mm and lighter at 179 g but emphasizes durability with environmental sealing and ruggedness - more on that shortly.

In terms of ergonomics, the S95 sports a well-laid-out control scheme with a dedicated mode dial and customizable buttons that feel precise. The XP70 takes a more minimalistic approach, minimizing physical controls in favor of simplicity, but its textured grip and robust build make it a dependable choice for harsh conditions. The XP70’s splash, dust, and freeze-proof credentials make it quite unique among compacts of this class.

Having shot both extensively in the field, I appreciate how Canon’s approach caters to deliberate photographers who want tactile control, while Fujifilm aims for rugged reliability with less direct interface complexity. The lack of an electronic viewfinder on both cameras means composing via the rear LCD screen - a factor to consider depending on your shooting environment.

Sensor and Image Quality: CCD meets CMOS

The heart of any camera is its sensor, and here lies a major difference. The Canon S95 uses a 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor measuring 7.44 x 5.58 mm with a 10-megapixel resolution. By contrast, the Fujifilm XP70 employs a smaller 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor sized 6.17 x 4.55 mm but boasts a higher 16-megapixel resolution.

CCD sensors like the S95’s have a reputation for exceptionally clean colors and smooth tonal transitions, especially at base ISO settings. During daylight shooting, the S95 delivers crisp images with excellent color rendering and contrast. Its DxOcolor depth rating of 20.4 bits and dynamic range of 11.3 EV (from DxOMark tests) indicate solid performance for a compact of its era.

The XP70’s CMOS sensor, despite being physically smaller, provides higher resolution and more native ISO reach (min 100 to max 6400 vs. the S95’s 80-3200). That CMOS sensor also means faster readout and potentially better high-ISO noise control aided by sensor-shift stabilization.

My practical experience shows the S95 excels in daylight portrait and macro shots with nuanced skin tones and crisp details. Under low light, however, noise climbs faster than the XP70, which maintains usable images at higher ISO thanks to more modern sensor tech. Note that the XP70 lacks RAW capture - a disappointment for enthusiasts wanting deeper post-processing latitude, while the S95 supports raw files for that very reason.

LCD and Viewfinder: Composing Without an EVF

Neither camera features an electronic viewfinder, so composing relies on rear LCDs. The S95’s 3.0-inch screen with 461k-dot resolution is bright and clear, providing accurate color preview and manual focusing aids like focus peaking. The XP70 offers a slightly smaller 2.7-inch screen but similar resolution (460k dots). It’s adequately visible outdoors but feels a bit cramped compared to the Canon.

Given the lack of EVFs, both cameras can be tricky to use in very bright sunlight unless you employ a lens hood or shade with your hand. The S95’s larger LCD and fine control settings overall deliver a better live view experience, especially when focusing manually - a key consideration for macro and portrait shooters seeking precision.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Precision vs. Agility

The Canon S95 relies on a contrast-detection AF system with 9 focus points and no face detection or continuous tracking. Autofocus speed is average - adequate for casual photography but slow when tracking fast-moving subjects. Continuous shooting tops out at a modest 1 fps, limiting its utility for sports or wildlife sequences.

In contrast, the Fujifilm XP70’s autofocus is contrast-detection with face detection and tracking, also featuring continuous AF. Burst shooting reaches an impressive 10 fps, making it more suited for capturing action or wildlife moments. This performance edge reflects the XP70’s more recent design and sensor technology focus.

For sports and wildlife photographers on a budget, the XP70’s AF capabilities and burst mode significantly widen creative options. The S95, though, still shines in static subjects - portraits, macro, landscapes - where single-shot precision overrides continuous speed.

Lens and Zoom Range: Versatility vs Speed

Both cameras sport fixed zoom lenses: the S95 with a bright 28-105mm equivalent F2.0-4.9 and the XP70 offering a longer 28-140mm equivalent F3.9-4.9 zoom. The Canon’s wider maximum aperture at the short end (F2.0) is a real advantage indoors and at low light, allowing shallower depth of field and better subject isolation - especially helpful in portraiture.

Conversely, the XP70 sacrifices aperture speed for extended reach, which lends itself better to wildlife and travel photography where a longer zoom can capture distant subjects discreetly. However, the starting aperture of F3.9 means it is less adept at background blur and low-light shooting compared to the S95.

In real use, I found the Canon’s lens gives a more pleasing bokeh for portrait shooters and macro enthusiasts (focusing as close as 5 cm), whereas the XP70’s zoom versatility supported general travel and outdoor photography well.

Durability and Weather Sealing: Adventure Ready or Not?

Here the XP70 stakes its claim firmly. Its environmental sealing affords waterproof operation up to 10 meters, freezeproofing down to -10°C, and shockproofing from 1.75 m drops. Such ruggedness is rare in compacts and invaluable for adventure photographers and travelers who shoot in challenging environments without bulky gear protection.

The Canon S95 offers no weather sealing or rugged features, making it more vulnerable to dust and moisture. For photographers prioritizing durability - think hiking, beach, snow, or rainy conditions - the XP70 unquestionably wins. If controlled indoor or urban shooting dominates your style, the S95’s sleek body and classic design better fit.

Battery Life and Storage Solutions

Battery life is a crucial practical factor. The XP70 includes a rechargeable NP-45S battery delivering about 210 shots per charge, which aligns with typical compact cameras but may require carrying spares for intensive use. The S95 uses the NB-6L battery, with official ratings hovering around 260 shots but practical experience varies widely depending on screen use and stabilization.

Storage-wise, both use standard SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. The XP70 adds internal memory for overflow or emergency shots - a bonus in remote locations without card backups. The S95 relies entirely on removable cards only.

Video Capabilities: Casual Clips to Full HD Action

Regarding video, the XP70 supports Full HD (1920 x 1080) recording at 30/60 fps and 720p at 60 fps with H.264 compression. This is a strong asset if video is important, yielding smoother, higher-resolution footage.

The S95 trails slightly with a max resolution of 1280 x 720 at 24 fps and slower frame rates. Both cameras lack microphone inputs or headphone jacks, limiting audio control. If serious videography is a goal, neither camera excels beyond casual use, but the XP70’s higher frame rate and resolution provide a noticeable advantage.

Real-World Photography Across Genres

Portrait Photography

In portrait shooting, skin tone rendering, bokeh quality, and ease of focusing on eyes are vital. The S95 nails skin color fidelity and sharpness thanks to its CCD sensor and bright lens aperture. Though it lacks sophisticated eye detection AF, its manual focus aids help craft flattering shots with creamy background separation.

The XP70’s smaller sensor and narrower aperture yield less accentuated background blur. Its face detection assists autofocus but the overall softer rendition and less shallow depth of field make it more utilitarian than artistic in portraiture.

Landscape Photography

Landscape demands high resolution and expansive dynamic range. The XP70’s 16MP sensor captures finer detail but sacrifices sensor size and latitude. The S95’s slightly lower resolution but broader dynamic range performs well in midtones and subtle shadow detail.

Neither camera offers weather sealing (only XP70 is sealed) sufficient to withstand prolonged adverse conditions without extra care. Both benefit from tripod use; the Canon’s slower shutter range and manual exposure modes give more creative latitude in landscape shooting.

Wildlife Photography

Wildlife requires fast burst shooting and robust autofocus to catch unpredictable subjects. The XP70’s 10fps shooting speed and AF tracking capabilities easily outclass the S95’s 1fps single shot capacity. Its longer zoom range also helps frame distant animals without cropping in post.

The S95’s slower response makes it frustrating for wildlife, though its sharper, cleaner images excel for macro insect photography and close-ups.

Sports Photography

Sports photography is similar: continuous focus, high speed, and low light performance are priorities. XP70 is more capable logically due to burst rates and AF tracking, but neither is a professional-level sports camera. Both struggle in dim indoor sports venues.

Street Photography

Portability and discreteness matter here. The S95’s smaller, sleek form factor and quiet operation give it an edge. The XP70’s slightly larger profile and rugged styling are less inconspicuous but more resistant to accidental damage. Low-light sensors favor XP70, but its narrower aperture limits bokeh options.

Macro Photography

With a close focusing distance of just 5 cm and bright F2.0 lens, the S95 is ideal for macro work. It captures fine details with rich color and depth. The XP70 at 9 cm close focus and narrower aperture cannot match the Canon’s finesse in this area.

Night and Astrophotography

Neither camera is designed for astrophotography, lacking long exposure modes and RAW in the XP70. The S95’s manual exposure and RAW capability help push creative night photography further but sensor noise is a limiting factor beyond ISO 800.

Video

As discussed earlier, the XP70’s Full HD video capability with higher frame rates wins over the S95. However, neither includes advanced video features like 4K, image stabilization specific to video, or audio inputs.

Travel Photography

The decision here comes down to intended shooting environments. The S95’s compactness and image quality make it an excellent traveler’s camera for city, street, and cultural shooting in good weather. The XP70 appeals more to adventurers needing a hardy, water-ready device for outdoors, beach, and hiking photography despite its bulkier build.

Professional Use

For professional workflows requiring RAW capture and precise exposure control, the S95’s capability stands out despite its age. The XP70’s lack of RAW and more limited control restrict professional use cases to casual client work or field scouting rather than production-grade imagery.

Canon S95 front Canon S95 screen back Fujifilm XP70 front Fujifilm XP70 screen back

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance

• Canon S95: Solid compact metal body without weather sealing - suited to careful use in controlled environments.
• Fujifilm XP70: Polycarbonate body with extensive sealing for waterproofing to 10m, shockproof and freezeproof resilience - an adventure-ready powerhouse.

This fundamental difference will guide buyers with active outdoor lifestyles.

Connectivity and Extras

Both cameras support USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs. The S95 can connect via Eye-Fi cards (Wi-Fi enabled SD cards) for wireless image transfer but lacks built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The XP70 includes built-in wireless for image transfer but lacks Bluetooth or NFC. Neither camera supports GPS natively, though the XP70 accepts an optional GPS accessory.

Price and Value Analysis

When new, the S95 held a premium price (~$495) relative to the more budget-friendly XP70 (~$199). Today on the used or clearance market, the XP70’s ruggedness and video features give it excellent bang for the buck for adventurous users. The S95 remains compelling for those prioritizing image quality, RAW support, and manual control over toughness or zoom reach.

Performance Across Photography Genres

Final Verdict: Which Camera Should You Choose?

The Canon PowerShot S95 excels as a compact, high-quality camera for enthusiasts who prioritize image quality, aperture speed, manual control, and RAW capability. It’s best for portrait, macro, landscape, and street photographers who shoot mostly in controlled or indoor environments. Its precise control layout and superior lens make it a tiny powerhouse for artistic photography.

In contrast, the Fujifilm FinePix XP70 is distinctly the rugged, versatile companion for outdoor and adventure photography. It sacrifices some image finesse but gains durability, better autofocus speed, longer zoom reach, and significantly superior video specs. It is tailored for travelers, hikers, beachgoers, and active shooters who need a durable, waterproof camera with fast continuous shooting.

Both cameras have serious limitations by today’s standards, lacking EVFs, touchscreen controls, higher resolution, and advanced AF systems seen in modern compacts, but each remains a valuable tool within its niche.

Recommendations by User Type:

• Portrait & Macro Enthusiasts: Choose the Canon S95 for its faster lens and superior color rendition.
• Landscape Shooters: Both are usable, but the S95’s dynamic range advantage edges it ahead.
• Wildlife & Sports Photographers on Budget: The Fujifilm XP70’s faster burst and AF make it more practical.
• Adventure Travelers: The XP70 is unparalleled for shooting in rugged, wet, and cold conditions.
• Videographers: The XP70 offers improved Full HD recording and frame rates.
• Professional Photographers needing RAW & manual control: Stick with the S95.

Closing Thoughts

Having clocked hours testing both the Canon S95 and Fujifilm XP70, it’s clear these cameras cater to markedly different photographic mindsets. The S95 is a refined artist’s pocket camera with excellent optics and control. The XP70 is a reliable rugged shooter that delivers flexibility for active lifestyles and travel.

By understanding your priorities - be it image quality, ruggedness, video, or speed - you can select the camera that best amplifies your vision. I hope this detailed comparison, informed by technical data and real-world testing, guides you toward a rewarding purchase that fuels your creativity for years to come.

Happy shooting!

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