• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot S90
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Canon S80
S80 vs S90
 
Successor: Canon S95
S90 vs S95
 
General
Model Number: S90 DSLR-A500
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $429.99 $849.99
Street Price:    
Date Available: 2009-10-15 2009-10-08
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 6.2 oz (175 g)
includes batteries
31.7 oz (900 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 3.9 x 2.3 x 1.2 in.
(100 x 58 x 31 mm)
5.4 x 4.1 x 3.3 in.
(137 x 104 x 84 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 10.0 12.3
Sensor Format: 1/1.7 inch APS-C
Sensor size: 43.32mm2 (7.6mm x 5.7mm) 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 2.08 microns 5.55 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 16:9 3:2, 16:9
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:   Fixed
Self-Cleaning: No Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 46 64
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 20.2 21.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.0 11.6
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 185 772
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)
4272 x 2848 (12.2 MP, 3:2),
4272 x 2400 (10.3 MP, 16:9),
3104 x 2072 (6.4 MP, 3:2),
3104 x 1744 (5.4 MP, 16:9),
2128 x 1416 (3.0 MP, 3:2),
2188 x 1192 (2.6 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2), CR2 JPEG, RAW
Continuous-mode frames/second: 0.9 4.9
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes No
Movie Resolution: 640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM)  
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 105mm 27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual): 6 - 22.5mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.80x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/2.0 (W) / f/4.9 (T) - f/8.0 f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
 
Macro Focus Range: 5 - 50 cm
2.0 - 19.7 in
 
Filter Thread: n/a 55.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: Yes No
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x n/a
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) 9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF; Wide, Spot, Local modes
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: No Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type:   SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):   0.53x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):   0.80x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 461,000 dots 230,400 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 13.4x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   12800
Minimum ISO (native):   200
ISO Settings: Auto, ISO 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200; up to 12800 in 2.5-mp Low Light mode Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom, Underwater Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/1600 - 15 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: No Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot, Face Detect AE 40-segment Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone evaluative metering in Live View)
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 Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View
Self Timer: 1 - 30 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
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, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 1.6-21 ft./50cm-6.5m (W), 1.6-8.2 ft./50cm-2.5m (T) Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/500 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: CR2 RAW
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM)  
Included Memory: No memory included  
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: 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
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No Yes
Remote Control Type:   Optional Wireless or Wired
Connections (extended):   DC input, mini-HDMI, Wired Remote
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 2.43 0.48
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 2.96 0.47
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited 9
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 0.9 4.9
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited 5
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.43 seconds 0.18 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.49 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.410 seconds 0.182 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 1.15 seconds 0.21 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.088 seconds 0.074 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   Quick AF Live View: Center AF: 0.180s Wide-area AF: 0.181s
Startup Time: 2.1 seconds 0.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 1.3 seconds 0.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 6.8 seconds 3.4 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 220 shots  
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   1000 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-6L Proprietary NP-FM500H
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-6L Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM Software/USB Driver CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows XP SP2/Vista, Mac OS Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Optical Image Stabilization, RAW Mode, Face, Blink, Motion Detection, Intelligent Contrast Correction, Low Light Mode. Exmore CMOS Sensor, Variable-angle LCD, SteadyShot In-body Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Live View, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer (Auto, Level 1-5), HDMI Output.