Canon S95. Be-all, End-all? Anything new coming out?

<p>Doesn't have to be full frame. Half frame would be enough. Other manufacturers have been making them for years. But not yet in a tough weatherproof body with a zoom lens.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>A full frame in a "tough" S95 sized package would have me glad to see ya.</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>And put you in an alternate universe where the laws of physics were different.</p>

The Canon D10 can be shot RAW with CHDK, but my friend says it's not helpful because the JPEG is so good. Here's a bunch of shots he took, mostly shutter priority. Pretty amazing I would say, considering the splashing and speed of the river.

 

http://cacreeks.com/whipface.htm

<p>Bruce, are you referring to the setback necessary between the lens and sensor? Stranger seemingly impossible optical dilemmas have been overcome.</p>

<p>The S95 has so many strong points beyond capability to shoot RAW. Noise, as has been pointed out, is a pointless discussion unless it includes intended output. I have printed a very nice 11x14 at ISO800. Also depends on how picky you want to get too. At f/2.0 at ISO800 you can do quite a bit. Brave enough to go to 1250 and the possiblities expand even more. The point is, low light is really one of this cameras strong suits.</p>

<p>The other biggest strong suit is that the shooting experience is almost seemless when I set down my 1Ds and pick up the S95. Wish I could select autofocus points manually and de-couple the AF and metering on the S95 like I can with my 1Ds (or most other SLRs). But aside from that its pretty much the same control set. I really love using the "C" mode on the dial so that if my wife has been using the S95 in green square, I can quickly return to my favourite set up by just flipping the dial.</p>

<p>The control over the flash is also something I really love on the S95. Yeah, its tiny and weak, but in a pinch it can get things done in certain circumstances and having a little control over it is something I really appreciate about this camera.</p>

<p>Weak points, (there aren't many) would be battery life, which is to be expected from a tiny camera with a tiny battery and the lack of focus point selection as mentioned. Just make sure you have a few spares in your pocket. </p>

<p>I am hoping one day Canon releases an S95 with a fixed 50mm f/1.4, but I know that will never happen.</p>

<p>Other than that, I absolutely love the S95. I rank it up there with one of the best purchases I have made in terms of camera gear.</p>

<p>Upgrades seem to be in the pipeline:<br>

http://www.canonrumors.com/2011/06/powershot-info/<br>

Anyway, i just spent 10 days in St Petersburg, Russia, with an S90 I had bought second hand 2 weeks previously. I have been very satisfied with that particular compromize between size/quality. I shoot RAW and use the live histogram all the time. It is true what they say that the ring around the 'joystick' on the back moves too freely, so I assigned iso to the ring around the lens and haven't had trouble with involuntary iso shift.<br>

Beware, the lens is NOT corner sharp at 2.0, you need to stop down at least one stop. I know, not 2 lenses are exactly the same, but mine performs best at 4.0, so I keep it there whenever possible. So, for evening shooting there may be better options. The new Olympus seems to have a spectacular lens, but may have other shortcomings. I think perhaps the LX5 is also a better camera /lens, but too expensive (and large) for me.<br>

And of course the S90 will blow highlights if you are not careful. That goes for all cameras this size. Shoot raw and watch the histogram.<br>

Having no grip, you need both hands to hold the camera. I made a grip from this clay you can harden in the oven, works well. But I always use both hands anyway.<br>

I will move up to M43s or the new Nikon micro system if that turns out to be good. I want som better dynamic range. But I will keep that S90 to have with me ALWAYS. It is not perfect, but the best compromize for me.<br>

Oh yes, get 2 extra batteries, they are cheap and don´t need to be Canon made.</p>

 

<p>The S95 is certainly a very nice vest pocket camera and ideal for opportunistic work and can always be available. I would like to take RAW/JPEG pix but the manual has defeated me. Anyone know how to persuade the S95 to do RAW/JPEG?<br>

I followed the instructions but they don't seem to work!</p>

<p>Shooting RAW or RAW+JPEG requires you be in P, Av, Tv, or M modes. <br>

<a href="http://canoncanada.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/21745/~/shooting-raw-images-(powershot-s95)">http://canoncanada.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/21745/~/shooting-raw-images-(powershot-s95)</a></p>