The Canon Powershot G11 was widely anticipated by underwater photographers - but the Canon Powershot S90 is smaller, lighter and seems to do the same job for a cheaper price. Which one to choose?
I recently wrote about the Canon Powershot G11 and its WP-DC34 underwater housing
, describing how it was one of the most anticipated cameras by underwater photographers for some time. Canon's G series have brought a whole new level of image quality to compact cameras and get a lot of hype as a result. I'm personally in the market for a new compact camera myself too, so I was poised to buy one - until I heard about the Canon Powershot S90.
The current price for the Canon Powershot S90 is $399 on Amazon and $174 for the Canon WP-DC35 S90 Underwater Housing on Amazon - that's at least $50 cheaper than the Canon G11. Yet the camera has a full-sized image sensor (sort of), a f2.0 zoom for low light, and shoots RAW format photos. So it basically seems to do everything the Canon G11 can do.
The clincher for me is that the S90 is smaller and lighter - possibly small enough to fit in a BCD pocket. Similarly, on land the S90 can fit in your pocket comfortably whereas the G11 is quite bulky. I am going to wait until I get to play with an S90 -- I'm sure there will be someone on my next dive trip - but I am pretty sure this could be the compact camera I will buy next. If you've been using an S90 underwater, please let me know your thoughts, good or bad, about it.
You can browse the latest Ebay auctions for the Canon Powershot S90 and Underwater Housing WP-DC35 below:
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![]() Charger for NB-6L Canon Powershot D10 S90 S95 SD980 SD1200 IS SD12000IS Camera $9.84 End Date: Saturday May-25-2013 10:35:10 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.84 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Canon CB-2LY Charger for PowerShot S90,S95, D10,Cameras $15.98 End Date: Saturday May-25-2013 13:19:18 PDT Buy It Now for only: $15.98 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() For Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS/G11/G10/S90/E1: Leather Hand Strap $6.99 End Date: Monday May-27-2013 11:13:12 PDT Buy It Now for only: $6.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() For Canon PowerShot SD4500 IS/G11/G10/S90/E1: Leather Hand Strap $6.99 End Date: Monday May-27-2013 12:37:47 PDT Buy It Now for only: $6.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Canon PowerShot S90 Model Digital Camera Black MINT 10.0MP Extras NO RESERVE! $79.99 End Date: Monday May-27-2013 20:57:29 PDT Buy It Now for only: $149.99 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
![]() Canon PowerShot S90 10.0 MP Digital Camera - Black $100.00 End Date: Wednesday May-29-2013 8:06:37 PDT |
![]() Canon PowerShot S90 10.0 MP Digital Camera - Black $85.00 (1 Bid) End Date: Wednesday May-29-2013 8:13:02 PDT |
![]() Canon PowerShot S90 10.0 MP Digital Camera - Black $41.00 (3 Bids) End Date: Wednesday May-29-2013 19:00:43 PDT |
![]() Nice Canon Powershot S90 10MP Digital Camera $189.95 End Date: Wednesday May-29-2013 20:31:39 PDT Buy It Now for only: $189.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Canon PowerShot S90 10.0 MP Digital Camera - Black *READ DETAILS* $1.25 (2 Bids) End Date: Friday May-31-2013 12:43:49 PDT |
![]() NEW Canon WP-DC35 Underwater Housing for Canon PowerShot S90 Digital Camera $229.98 End Date: Friday May-31-2013 22:16:39 PDT Buy It Now for only: $229.98 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() 3x SCREEN PROTECTORS CANON POWERSHOT S90 DIGITAL CAMERA $5.99 End Date: Saturday Jun-1-2013 1:07:04 PDT Buy It Now for only: $5.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Charger for CANON NB-6L PowerShot S90 S95 SD770 SD980 IS $18.68 End Date: Sunday Jun-2-2013 14:37:44 PDT Buy It Now for only: $18.68 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Canon PowerShot S90 10.0 MP Digital Camera - Black $172.52 End Date: Monday Jun-3-2013 15:02:15 PDT Buy It Now for only: $172.52 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Canon PowerShot S90 10.0 MP Digital Camera - Black $90.00 End Date: Monday Jun-3-2013 20:00:39 PDT |
![]() CANON POWERSHOT S90 SX200 SX210 HAND WRIST STRAP NEW OEM GENUINE AUTHENTIC $6.60 End Date: Tuesday Jun-4-2013 13:23:49 PDT Buy It Now for only: $6.60 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Canon PowerShot S90 Replacement LCD Screen Display Window + Tape Free Shipping* $27.99 End Date: Tuesday Jun-4-2013 19:56:37 PDT Buy It Now for only: $27.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Canon WP-DC35 Waterproof Housing for PowerShot S90 Digital Camera $189.00 End Date: Wednesday Jun-5-2013 12:28:29 PDT Buy It Now for only: $189.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Canon POWERSHOT S90 LCD DISPLAY SCREEN PART NEW $28.99 End Date: Thursday Jun-6-2013 21:50:46 PDT Buy It Now for only: $28.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Charger for CANON NB-6L PowerShot D10 S90 S95 SD1200 SD1300 SD3500 SD4000 IS $23.99 End Date: Sunday Jun-9-2013 2:54:18 PDT Buy It Now for only: $23.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Canon Powershot Guide Instruction Manual (ALL S MODELS) $9.95 End Date: Sunday Jun-9-2013 9:53:50 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Canon PowerShot S90 IS Replacement LCD Window - Free Shipping* $28.16 End Date: Sunday Jun-9-2013 10:16:53 PDT Buy It Now for only: $28.16 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() CANON PowerShot S90 CCD DIGITAL CAMERA PART 10 MP. $34.99 End Date: Sunday Jun-9-2013 16:55:04 PDT Buy It Now for only: $34.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Genuine User Guide Instruction Manual Canon PowerShot S90 digital camera - I371 $14.99 End Date: Thursday Jun-13-2013 1:43:43 PDT Buy It Now for only: $14.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Charger For Canon PowerShot D10 S90 SD770 SD980 SD1200 SD1300 IS IXUS 210 110 95 $5.69 End Date: Thursday Jun-13-2013 11:50:49 PDT Buy It Now for only: $5.69 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Charger for Canon IXY 110 IS,30S,PowerShot D10 S90 S95 $12.69 End Date: Friday Jun-14-2013 3:01:33 PDT Buy It Now for only: $12.69 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Canon Powershot User Guide Instruction Manual (ALL S MODELS) $9.95 End Date: Saturday Jun-15-2013 14:49:10 PDT Buy It Now for only: $9.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Canon WP-DC35 Underwater Housing for Canon PowerShot S90 Digital Camera $229.99 End Date: Sunday Jun-16-2013 9:31:54 PDT Buy It Now for only: $229.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Flash Light for Canon PowerShot SX260 SX130 SX160 SX230 SX150 SX210 SX200 S90 $69.95 End Date: Sunday Jun-16-2013 12:22:56 PDT Buy It Now for only: $69.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Canon PowerShot S90 Genuine Instruction Book / Manual / User Guide $7.99 End Date: Monday Jun-17-2013 8:32:57 PDT Buy It Now for only: $7.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
Latest Ebay auctions for Canon S90 Underwater Housing WP-DC35
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![]() Canon S95 Camera And Underwater Case Wp-dc35 - Scuba Diving Camera $199.00 End Date: Thursday May-30-2013 8:15:23 PDT |
![]() NEW Canon WP-DC35 Underwater Housing for Canon PowerShot S90 Digital Camera $229.98 End Date: Friday May-31-2013 22:16:39 PDT Buy It Now for only: $229.98 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Canon WP-DC35 Waterproof Housing for PowerShot S90 Digital Camera $189.00 End Date: Wednesday Jun-5-2013 12:28:29 PDT Buy It Now for only: $189.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Canon WP-DC35 Waterproof Housing Case for PowerShot S90 - Brand New USA $230.00 End Date: Thursday Jun-6-2013 10:06:42 PDT Buy It Now for only: $230.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Underwater Flash Strobe for Canon WP-DC32 WP-DC34 WP-DC35 WP-DC41 WP-DC44 $285.95 End Date: Wednesday Jun-12-2013 4:54:37 PDT Buy It Now for only: $285.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Canon WP-DC35 S90 LED Photo/Video Light M700i Pkg by Nocturnal Lights $269.99 End Date: Friday Jun-14-2013 16:06:47 PDT Buy It Now for only: $269.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Canon WP-DC35 Underwater Housing for Canon PowerShot S90 Digital Camera $229.99 End Date: Sunday Jun-16-2013 9:31:54 PDT Buy It Now for only: $229.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Canon WP-DC35 underwater camera case for Canon S90 $109.00 End Date: Tuesday Jun-18-2013 15:53:04 PDT Buy It Now for only: $109.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Canon WP-DC35 Case for Canon PowerShot S90, $191.45 End Date: Friday Jun-21-2013 11:12:22 PDT Buy It Now for only: $191.45 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Canon WP-DC35 Waterproof Housing for PowerShot S90 Digital Camera #4041B001 $189.99 End Date: Saturday Jun-22-2013 13:25:27 PDT Buy It Now for only: $189.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
![]() Canon WP-DC35 Underwater Housing Replacement Case Buckle- Free Shipping $33.68 End Date: Saturday Jun-22-2013 15:01:51 PDT Buy It Now for only: $33.68 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |










































It is good price for this kit, but I think there is big con of this case – you can’t use flash.
The cases for the compact cameras always tend to block the flash to some extent, but it does seem to vary quite a lot – I’d certainly like to see it in the water before I buy it.
Hi Chris,
Do you have any idea where I can find UW strobes in Bangkok? (I am thinking of the Inon S2000, but it doesn’t matter that much) I’d like to buy the S90 with the DC35 housing, which is quite easy to find, but have been unlucky with the strobes so far. I have notably been to MBK and Pantip and did not find any.
Thanks in advance!
John
Hi John
try Pro Dive Imaging (location on the site) – they are an Inon dealer, but don’t think they keep much in stock – probably need to order for you. Best, Chris
I got the S2000 at Pro Image a few months ago. Chris is right, they don’t often keep much in stock, and the first time I went there way back in August, they said they would call when it got in, but never did. Keep checking back!\n\nMy problem now (I have a G10) is that the strobe puts out too much light, so I will have to block the internal flash and possibly add the fiber optic cable to trigger the external strobe.
I think new Panasonic Lumix DMC FT3 is probably one of the best cameras for amateur underwater photographer without need for additional housing up to 12m.