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.
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.
Canon WP-DC35 S90 Underwater Housing
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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 Refurb Canon Powershot S90  US $247.50
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 Charger For Canon PowerShot D10 S90 SD770 SD980 SD1200 US $5.94
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 A0319 Canon PowerShot S90+16GB SD+Bat+Gift+2YrWty S-90 US $428.59
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 Z643 For CANON PowerShot S90 Digital Compact Camera US $5.99
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 Z644 For CANON PowerShot S90 Digital Compact Camera US $5.99
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 Canon PowerShot S90 10.0 Megapixel US $102.50 |
 Canon PowerShot S90 10MP Digital Camera with 3.8x NEW US $438.95
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 Canon PowerShot S90 10 Megapixel 3 Zoom Digital Camera US $372.99
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 Charger For Canon PowerShot D10 S90 SD770 SD980 SD1200 US $5.89
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 Canon PowerShot S90 10.0 Megapixel Digital Camera Wtty US $222.00
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 Canon PowerShot S90 10.0 Megapixel US $275.00
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 CANON 3635B001 10.0 MEGAPIXEL POWERSHOT® S90 IS DIGITAL US $431.98
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 Canon PowerShot S90 10.0 Megapixel with Extras US $300.00
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 Z643 For CANON PowerShot S90 Digital Compact Camera US $.99
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 New Canon PowerShot S90 10MP Digital Camera Black US $382.78
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 NB-6L Car Charger for Canon PowerShot D10,SD770 IS,S90. US $7.50
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 A0383 Canon PowerShot S90+4GB SD+Bat+Gift+2YrWty S-90 US $404.94
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 Charger For Canon PowerShot D10 S90 SD770 SD980 SD1200 US $5.89
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 charger for Canon 3635B001-S90IS PowerShot S90 Camera US $10.00
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 L643 For CANON PowerShot S90 Digital Compact Camera US $4.99
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 Charger For Canon PowerShot D10 S90 SD770 SD980 SD1200 US $5.89
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 Charger For Canon PowerShot D10 S90 SD770 SD980 SD1200 US $5.94
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 57” Tripod for Canon PowerShot SX1 IS SD940 SD1300 S90 US $16.95
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 CANON WP-DC35 Underwater housing for the Powershot S90 US $272.51
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 Canon PowerShot S90 10MP ***Excellent Condition!!!! US $280.00
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 Charger For Canon PowerShot D10 S90 SD770 SD980 SD1200 US $5.89
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 Canon PowerShot S90 Camera + 4GB Sandisk Ultra SDHC US $211.20
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 Canon PowerShot S90 10.0 Megapixel US $132.50
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 Canon PowerShot S90 10.0 Megapixel US $123.00
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 New Canon PowerShot S90 10 Megapixel Digital Camera US $379.90
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Latest Ebay auctions for Canon S90 Underwater Housing WP-DC35
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 CANON S90 WATERPROOF CASE WP-DC35 WRIST HAND STRAP US $22.00
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 Canon Waterproof Case WP-DC35 -4906 US $297.96
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CANON WP-DC35 Underwater housing for the Powershot S90 US $272.51
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 New CANON WP-DC35 Waterproof Housing Case for S90 US $178.89
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 Canon WP-DC35 Waterproof Case for Canon S90 + GIFT NEW US $259.00
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 CANON WP-DC35 Waterproof Housing for S90 WPDC-35 DC-35 US $249.15
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 FANTASEA 4707 EYEDAPTOR CANON WP-DC35 HOUSING S90 CAM US $20.00
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 CANON WP-DC35 Waterproof Housing for S90 WPDC-35 DC-35 US $249.15
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 Canon WP-DC35 Case for Canon PowerShot S90 Housing US $179.95
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 Canon WP-DC35 Waterproof Case WPDC35 for S90 ~ By FedEx US $299.90
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 New Canon waterproof case WP-DC35 for PowerShot S90 US $226.00
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 Underwater Flash Strobe for Canon WP-DC28 WP-DC35 US $249.00
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 Canon WP-DC35 for Canon S90 - Underwater Case BRAND NEW US $189.99
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 Canon WP-DC35 for Canon S90 - Underwater Case BRAND NEW US $189.99
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 Canon waterproof case WP-DC35 for Power Shot S90 US $297.99
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 Canon WP-DC35 Waterproof Camera Case for Powershot S90 US $199.99
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 NEW Canon WP-DC35 Canon S90 Under Water Case up to 40M US $307.95
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 Canon WP-DC35 Marine case for Powershot S90 BRAND NEW US $189.99
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 Canon WP-DC35 Underwater case for S90 BRAND NEW US $189.99
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 Canon WP-DC35 Marine case for Powershot S90 BRAND NEW US $189.99
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 Canon WP-DC35 Waterproof Housing f/Powershot S90 w/Kit US $207.25
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 Canon WP-DC35 Waterproof Housing for PowerShot S90 US $169.95
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 Canon WP-DC35 Waterproof Case PowerShot S90 Camera NEW US $199.95
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 Canon WP-DC35 Waterproof Case PowerShot S90 Camera NEW US $169.95
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 Canon WP-DC35 Waterproof Case PowerShot S90 Camera NEW US $211.95
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 Canon WP-DC35 Underwater Waterproof Housing Case S90 US $265.00
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 Canon Waterproof Case WP-DC35 f/ Powershot S90 4041B001 US $174.95
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
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