Just over a year ago, we have introduced the Canon PowerShot S90 in a compact test at this point. The top model of the S-class from Canon at that time had a pretty good figure. In particular, the high light intensity combined with good image quality and extensive technical equipment were able to convince. Now, her successor is there name S95. This test shows that it has kept the virtues of the predecessor or even exceeds and whether Canon could eliminate even the then criticized video capability and other shortcomings.

Have applied a structured surface ergonomics and processing that has the Canon PowerShot S95, which increases the grip compared to the previous model and reduces the slides. The metal housing is this not more quite as noble and rather like from plastic, but the benefits clearly outweigh these optical changes; the processing is still perfectly. With its nearly 200 grams is the Canon S95 well in hand. A small handle humps on the back helps the thumb so that at least right-handed users can operate the camera with one hand. Around two inches flat and slightly more than scheckkarte-sized Cabinet is on all edges and corners rounded and smooth, flat, the controls cling to the surface and sunk in sleep mode, the Flash is invisible in the device. The slim housing is show only the lens mount with the mode dial to a couple of millimeters. The S95 is an absolutely jackentaschen-ready “always in camera”.

The controls on the back take a a just daumenbreiten Strip on the right side of the case. The multi-function wheel, with the most recording parameters can be set is striking. This rotating ring at the same time is a four way rocker with confirmation button in the Centre. Thanks to this arrangement you can quickly make the desired settings with the thumb: clicking on such as “Flash” appear all possible variants of Flash on the display. From these, the appropriate setting is selected by turning and confirmed by pressing the “func / set” button in the center of the ring. Although the combined switch measures no 20 mm, that is with the thumb after a short adjustment really easily and quickly. And because the dial slip more easily as even with the S90, which is now also completely reliable. In this way, you can avoid a trip to the menu often. The multi-function wheel is surrounded by four other switches for menu, display settings, image display and printing. These switches Nestle but discreetly in the background so that no accidental operation can be. The rest of the back covers the three inches (7.6 cm) wide display, which is embedded in the new edition seamlessly into the housing.

The display is while firmly installed, but offers a very fantastic image quality. Joy, but also the enormous angle of view are not only the high resolution of over 460,000 pixels and the brilliant colours. Even at very shallow insight, the display shows no color shift or other changes in the view, the image looks like printed. As you may well agree at an optical viewfinder.

Also the main switch on the top of the S95 is flat nestled in the housing, so that accidental switching on is almost impossible. Recently pressure drives the lens in location, and the camera is ready to take in just a second. The precise locking modes voters, which towers over the handle Moguls, shall be served by combative thumb use. Can be chosen from eight settings for the different exposure automatic features, the manual mode, video recordings and pictures in low light. In the latter a sensitivity of up to ISO 12,800 is achieved with approx. 2.5 megapixels. Right next to the mode selection of the index finger – is if the associated hand is not too large even comfortably – the shutter with zoom rocker. Its first single point reports perfect focus and exposure storage, but the camera is a bit too high. So is the risk that the image when the is some mauled quite. Avoid you can this by holding the camera with both hands, is of course always recommended in photography for blur-free images.

With a further switch on the top one can be assigned to the lens ring of seven functions: standard is the ISO setting, but also zooming in fixed steps, manual focus, exposure correction, aspect ratio of the images and free programming available. You can set the aperture with the ring, as analog cameras used for example in the aperture priority mode. Compared with the S90, Canon here made a small detail enhancement which positively affect the user experience: the function and main switch positions were swapped so that the function switch is now also spatially associated with the lens ring.

On the bottom almost exactly in the optical axis to find the metal tripod and the flap behind which the somewhat low-breasted battery and the SD card are. HDMI and USB interface are hidden on the right side behind a simple plastic cover that does not meet the quality of the otherwise impeccable housing.

That the Flash if necessary on motor and is retracted, is exactly as in the predecessor getting used to. However, this works very quickly and reliably. The Flash is ready to go despite the special mechanics in a record time of less than 2 seconds and turns out almost to the corners very well also the wide angle of 28 mm (KB). Overall, you can certify small black S-class a quite successful ergonomics and excellent build quality.

Equipment’s the Canon PowerShot S95 is equipped with everything what your heart desires. Each possible automatic, a well-functioning scene recognition and manual setting are not all still long. In addition the almost usual in higher-quality cameras HDR automation, in which the camera from several individual images mounted a photo with high dynamic range. Unfortunately, the last of three shots is so delayed that the field of view inevitably slip and arise as a result this double contours in the S95. Will you take HDR with the S95, a tripod is recommended in any case, and you should restrict itself to as unmoving motifs.

The video function was improved compared to its predecessor. Recording in 720 p at 24 frames per second in the Quicktimeformat are now possible with the optical zoom is blocked during the recording. To the “long focal length” you arrive so only digital resulting in tele visible loss of quality. The advantage of this method is the silence. The video recording is so disturbed by nothing but the wind. In video mode, there are a few trick settings such as colors can be changed or made partially black and white. The “miniature world” effect popular at the moment, where the low depth of field is simulated by close-up is here particularly mentioned. With the S95, the zone of sharpness and the playback speed can be varied so that the resulting opportunities, express the Spieltrieb. And if you still have not enough after all the setting possibilities, can play in the digital photo lab on the RAW files. Canon delivers with an own image editing and management software to do this, however, whose handling requires some training.

A special highlight is the built-in optical image stabilizer. We have rarely get a such quiet camera in a so compact camera. Any jitters is swallowed, which benefits especially video recording. Movies are so stable that some of the idea comes, here a tripod would be used. But it IS is ideal also for photos. Even in low light, the camera provides with their F2, 0 bright lens up down to the 1/15 second, blur-free shots. Because, you may confidently agree at high ISO numbers to keep the noise limits.

But not only recording-almost no wish remains unfulfilled. This mutates the S95 is connected to a TV to the digital picture frame. Here, the photographer can display all pictures and videos with various transitions between 3 and 30 seconds or let the camera choose similar pictures, such as of the last ski holiday, and show off. All in all offers the neat Canon on the one hand a perfect “keep on it and shot automatic” for technology investment and on the other hand is more than enough setting possibilities to satisfy also playful natures.

Image quality in the test of the Canon S90 we have written: “The image quality is clearly in the upper stage of this class of camera.” Because nothing has changed in the S95. The test lab (auisführlicher report for a small fee, see related links) certified at least in the middle of the camera high resolution at all focal lengths. The edge of the waste is visible, can be minimized but by stopping down. In practical photography that is not on, and the photos are quite sharply to the classical presentation size 13 x 18 cm. Only if the resolution is to be maxed out of 10 megapixels for poster formats, the images reveal that they come from a sensor small (in this class but usual). The focus turns out moderate something compared to its predecessor, so that their unwanted effects such as double contours have declined slightly.

In addition, the noise reduction seems not so strong to be like many other cameras in this class, because the infamous “Watercolour effect” (i.e. loss of details, skin looks wächsern and filled) is only slightly pronounced. Up to ISO 800 noise is tolerable, in visible, only 3,200 noise reduction provides for significant loss of detail. Overall, the camera’s internal image processing compared to its predecessor failed somewhat more restrained. This indicates that the Canon technicians have here extensively operated fine tuning. The input rate of almost 9 f-stops is outstanding and could be many system camera to shame. Only at high ISO values it decreases to about an aperture. The Randabdunklung has minimized Canon software, which can be recognised by the higher noise at the edges. And also the distortion were probably pressed by electronic means to acceptable values. The signal transmission is optimized for average images, that is soft in the dark and bright areas, contrast in the midtones. Who here out would like to squeeze more out of the small camera, depends on the raw format. Also the very strong compression of JPEG format to (depending on the subject) speaks about the factor for the use of RAW files.

The snapshot capability is limited by the somewhat sluggish auto focus just like with the S90, which take up about half a second. Previous refocused the S95 is but fast. In the video mode the S95 holds, the focus as it was at the beginning of the recording. While the shooting of the movie is the sharpness not updated, what stands out in pans of close to far by considerable uncertainty. Here there is still potential for a successor.

Conclusion of the Canon PowerShot S95 it can be stated in a smooth review of the good qualities of its predecessor. Here are the positive values remained and improves a few details in the predecessor criticized. This includes also the video capability. Although the S95 not with real video cameras can compete, and there are devices that better film in this camera class. But for the small film in between the Canon has made a step in the right direction. In particular the excellent image stabilizer, the great display and the very good picture quality make the Canon S95 recommendation. If you now the large initial opening and the fully equipped including raw format would like to use, has almost no alternative.