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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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Flash
On (100% Crop) |
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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.
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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.
 PhotographyBLOG
is a member of the DIWA
organisation. Our test results for the Canon Digital IXUS 90 IS have been submitted to DIWA
for comparison with test results for different samples of
the same camera model supplied by other DIWA
member sites.
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