• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot S90
  • Canon PowerShot S120
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Canon S80
S80 vs S90
Canon S110
S110 vs S120
Successor: Canon S95
S90 vs S95
 
General
Model Number: S90 S120
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $429.99 $449.99
Street Price:   $449.00
Date Available: 2009-10-15 2013-10-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 6.2 oz (175 g)
includes batteries
7.7 oz (217 g)
includes batteries
Size: 3.9 x 2.3 x 1.2 in.
(100 x 58 x 31 mm)
3.9 x 2.3 x 1.1 in.
(100 x 59 x 29 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 10.0 12.1
Sensor Format: 1/1.7 inch 1/1.7 inch
Sensor size: 43.32mm2 (7.6mm x 5.7mm) 43.32mm2 (7.6mm x 5.7mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 2.08 microns 1.90 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 16:9 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:   Fixed
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 46 56
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 20.2 21.3
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.0 11.9
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 185 246
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
3648 x 2048 (7.5 MP, 16:9),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2272 x 1704 (3.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
1824 x 1368 (2.5 MP, 4:3)
4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2664 (10.7 MP, 3:2),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
2816 x 1880 (5.3 MP, 3:2),
2816 x 1584 (4.5 MP, 16:9),
2112 x 2112 (4.5 MP, 1:1),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
1200 x 1200 (1.4 MP, 1:1),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1),
2400 x 3000 (7.2 MP, Other),
1696 x 2112 (3.6 MP, Other),
960 x 1200 (1.2 MP, Other),
384 x 480 (0.2 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2), CR2 JPEG (EXIF 2.3), RAW (.CR2), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 0.9 11.8
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
1920x1080 (60p/​30p)
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (30p/​120p)
320x240 (240p)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM) MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: Stereo Linear PCM)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out: Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 105mm 24 - 120mm
Focal Length (actual): 6 - 22.5mm 5.2 - 26mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.80x 5.00x
Aperture Range: f/2.0 (W) / f/4.9 (T) - f/8.0 f/1.8 (W) / 5.7 (T) - f/8.0
Integrated ND Filter: No Yes
Normal Focus Range: 50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 5 - 50 cm
2.0 - 19.7 in
3 - 50 cm
1.2 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection; 9-point AiAF, 1-point AF (center or Face Select and Track) Contrast Detect AF: AiAF (Face Detection / 9-point), 1-point AF (Any position is available, fixed centre or Face Select and Track)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: No Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type:    
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 461,000 dots 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display:
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   12800
Minimum ISO (native):   80
ISO Settings: Auto, ISO 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200; up to 12800 in 2.5-mp Low Light mode Auto with selectable upper limit (400-12800), ISO 80-12800 in 1/3 EV steps
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom, Underwater Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom (2), Underwater
Shutter Speed Range: 1/1600 - 15 sec 1/2500 - 250 sec
Bulb Mode: No No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot, Face Detect AE Evaluative, Centre-weighted average, Spot; Facial brightness evaluated in Face Detection AF
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Special Scene (Foliage, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Aquarium, Night Scene, Indoor, Color Accent, Color Swap, Kids & Pets, Underwater, Nostalgic), Night Snapshot, Stitch Assist, Low Light SCN: Portrait, Smart Shutter, Star (Star Nightscape, Star Trails, Star Time-Lapse Movie), Handheld Night Scene, Underwater, Snow, Fireworks; Creative Filters: High Dynamic Range, Nostalgic, Fisheye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Background Defocus, Soft Focus, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect
Self Timer: 1 - 30 seconds 10, 2, Custom (1-30s (1-10 shots)) seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; FE lock, Safety FE, Slow Synchro Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; FE lock, Safety FE, Slow Synchro
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 1.6-21 ft./50cm-6.5m (W), 1.6-8.2 ft./50cm-2.5m (T) 1.6 ft. – 23 ft. (W), 1.6 – 7.5 ft. Auto ISO: (T) (50cm – 7m (W), (50cm – 2.3m (T))
Max Flash Sync: 1/500  
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: CR2 RAW (.CR2), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM) MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: Stereo Linear PCM)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No No
Remote Control Type:    
Connections (extended):   Mini (Type-C) HDMI
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 2.43 0.94
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 2.96 1.18
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   1.31
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 0.9 11.8
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited 5
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   1.9
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   Unlimited
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   1.4
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   Unlimited
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.43 seconds 0.17 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.49 seconds 0.30 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.410 seconds 0.262 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 1.15 seconds 0.71 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.088 seconds 0.095 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 2.1 seconds 1.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 1.3 seconds 1.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 6.8 seconds 6.2 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 220 shots 230 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-6L Proprietary NB-6LH
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-6L Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NB-6LH Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows XP SP2/Vista, Mac OS Windows; Mac OS X
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Optical Image Stabilization, RAW Mode, Face, Blink, Motion Detection, Intelligent Contrast Correction, Low Light Mode. DIGIC 6 processor, BSI sensor, f/1.8-5.7 5x lens, built-in Wi-Fi.