Canon PowerShot S95

Compact, pocketable size ; Control ring provides fast access to settings ; Very good image and video quality ; Easiest advanced camera to grasp for beginners ; Fun scene modes for both stills and video

Disappointing battery life ; No raised hand grip ; Slow burst mode

The PowerShot S95 is a perfect camera to grow with, thanks to its pocketable size and ultimate blend of automated and manual controls.

Well built, mostly metal body ; Good control layout ; Awesome f/2.0 lens ; Produces high-quality 10-megapixel photos ; Loads of user-friendly exposure options ; Almost unmatched degree of exposure control for a camera of this size ; Capable Smart Auto...

It's very easy to accidentally rotate the rear control wheel, which would cause exposure problems depending on the mode being used ; Some images show an average amount of CA when viewed at 100 ; 400 price tag may seem steep to some

Excellent low-light shooter ; Better than usual Canon point-and-shoot photos ; Extensive photo adjustments via control dials ; Excellent LCD screen

Button placement takes getting used to ; Slow fps; not a camera for action shooters ; Low battery life

Canon’s S95 packs extensive manual control and amazing low-light performance into a pocket-size point-and-shoot camera.

There aren't that many differences between the S90 and the S95: both have the same overall design and shoot the same resolution images. But that's a good thing: the S90 was a great little camera, and the signs are that the S95 should continue this...

Manual controls, very good images in all light levels, shoots 720p HD video, big, sharp LCD display

Slow camera speed, short battery life, optical zoom doesn't work with video

The Canon PowerShot S95 continues with its predecessor’s role as a photographer’s compact camera. It improves on the S90 with the addition of features like HD video capture and a dedicated HDR mode.

More importantly, the LX-5 gives you a hot shoe. With no hot shoe, the S95 can’t play with your other photography gear. The Lumix, on the other hand, can sync with an external flash or, with the right equipment, studio strobes.

Very good image quality ; Slim and lightweight exterior ; Easy to use, excellent smart flash feature

Below average battery life ; Lacks ND filter ; Poor video functionality

We’ll say it again, the S95 probably will not and should not be the first choice for control-happy advanced photographers. For these photographers, the S95 is easily overshadowed by Panasonic’s excellent LX5, which does just about everything the S95...

The S95's most unusual feature is its control click-ring, which surrounds the camera's 3.8X optical zoom lens (28mm to 105mm) and leaves the rest of the body largely uncluttered by buttons. You can use the control ring to adjust anything from manual...