Canon Digital IXUS 90 IS Review
(also known as the Canon Powershot SD790 IS)
Review Date: May 5th 2008
Author: Gavin Stoker
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Image Quality
All of the sample images in this Review were captured using the 10 megapixel Superfine JPEG setting producing a file that is between 4-5Mb.
Noise
The Canon Digital IXUS 90 IS has 6 ISO settings. At ISO 1600, noise reduction is apparent and detail is noticeably soft, if, at a push, there is more edge definition when comparing an identical sample shot from the IXUS 80 IS alongside the IXUS 90 IS at the same setting – but, as I say, it's only noticeable if you're really looking for it. Noise appears at ISO 400 and upwards, though generally subjects are more clearly defined on the Canon Digital IXUS 90 IS. Here are some 100% crops which show the noise levels for each ISO setting.
ISO 80 (100% Crop) |
ISO 100 (100% Crop) |
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ISO 200 (100% Crop) |
ISO 400 (100% Crop) |
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ISO 900 (100% Crop) |
ISO 1600 (100% Crop) |
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Sharpening
Here are two 100% crops which have been Saved as Web - Quality 50 in Photoshop. The right-hand image has had some sharpening applied in Photoshop. The out-of-the camera images at the default setting are a little soft and benefit from some further sharpening in a program like Adobe Photoshop. Alternatively you can change the in-camera sharpening level if you don't like the default results.
Original
(100% Crop) |
Sharpened (100% Crop) |
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Chromatic Aberrations
The Canon Digital IXUS 90 IS handled chromatic aberrations quite well during the review. Though there is some evidence of pixel fringing if you look hard enough, it's no more – and probably a lot less – than you'd expect from a snapshot camera pitched at the entry-level end of the market. Here are some 100% crops which show the typical chromatic aberrations that you can expect.
Chromatic
Aberrations (100% Crop) |
Chromatic
Aberrations (100% Crop) |
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Macro
The Canon Digital IXUS 90 IS offers a Macro setting that allows you to focus on a subject that is 3cms away from the camera. The first image shows how close you can get to the subject in Macro mode (in this case a compact flash card). The second image is a 100% crop.
Macro Shot |
Macro Shot (100% Crop) |
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Flash
The flash settings on the Canon Digital IXUS 90 IS are Auto, On, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Slow Synchro and Off. These shots of a white coloured wall were taken at a distance of 1.5m.
Flash Off - Wide Angle (35mm) |
Auto Flash - Wide Angle (35mm) |
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Flash Off - Telephoto (105mm) |
Auto Flash - Telephoto (105mm) |
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And here are some portrait shots. As you can see, both the Flash On and Red-Eye Reduction settings caused a small amount of red-eye.
Flash On |
Flash On (100% Crop) |
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Flash - Red-Eye Reduction |
Flash - Red-Eye Reduction (100% Crop) |
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Night Shot
The Canon Digital IXUS 90 IS's maximum shutter speed is 15 seconds in Long Shutter Mode, which is good news if you're interested in night photography. The shot below was taken using a shutter speed of 1 second, aperture of f/2.8 at ISO 200. I've included a 100% crop of the image to show what the quality is like.
Night Shot |
Night Shot (100% Crop) |
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Overall Image Quality
Without comparing like for like, it's hard to determine any visible difference between the images delivered by the 10 megapixel Canon Digital IXUS 90 IS and its 8 megapixel little brother, the IXUS 80 IS. Once again colours are naturalistic bordering on vivid straight out of the camera, with skin tones flatteringly healthy. Highlights tend to burn out, bright sun results in occasional lens flare, there's visible if thin purple fringing between areas of contrast, and generally the performance is that which you'd expect from a camera that throws the lion's share of its weight behind exterior design: good enough, if no prize winner. At ISO 1600, noise reduction is apparent and detail is noticeably soft, if, at a push, there is more edge definition when comparing an identical sample shot from the IXUS 80 IS alongside the IXUS 90 IS at the same setting – but, as I say, it's only noticeable if you're really looking for it. Unsurprisingly, an image taken at ISO 1600 on the IXUS 80 IS still holds up better than one taken on the IXUS 90 IS at ISO 3200, which appears distinctly soft and watercolour-like in comparison. Though a nice extra to have on what is essentially a snapshot camera, it's a setting you'd reach for in desperation. Noise once again appears at ISO 400 and upwards, though generally subjects are more clearly defined on the Canon Digital IXUS 90 IS. Red eye is noticeable mainly by its absence in flash shots, and though I had the image stabilization permanently on, its results in low light still – as we found with the IXUS 80 IS – proved a little hit and miss. Luckily the large-ish rear LCD lets you pretty quickly determine whether your shot is soft or not, and you can take corrective action accordingly.
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