A "Canut" friend of mine showed me his new canon 7D and S90. I didn't really get to use the 7D. I just got to hold it very briefly because he was working with it. But he did let me use the S90 and I have to admit that I liked it. Why can't Nikon's COOLPIXes be this COOL?
The Good:
It's very small and compact. It's a bit hard to hold but I'm just so use to handling big DSLRs. I really really liked the control ring around the lens. It made changing settings (ISO, EV, Shutter, etc.) so much easier than hunting around the menu and clicking. Very easy to use and very compact. The LCD was nice but it was night so I can't say how good it is in sunlight. The flash is very "robotic" meaning it raises and lowers in a controlled robot like movement up and down. It doesn't jump or pop out, in other words. The overall build quality felt very solid. I only got to check image quality off the LCD but I liked what I saw. Even under low light I was getting some nice pictures. The fast f2 lens is very good.
The Bad
The On/Off button has an awkward placement. No biggie but I would of liked to have it closer to the shutter and zoom instead of the function button. Although the control ring is a very nice feature it should have more "resistance" to it. It turns too easily and seems "loose". The rear dial is way too easy to accidentally move. I kept spinning it and changing settings when I didn't mean to. The HDMI and USB ports on the side are covered with a VERY flimsy plastic doors. They seemed ready to break off from just occasional use. I'm not sure but I don't think the video from this camera was HD. It's kind of pricey for now, but when the price comes down it will be a good buy.
Though I would have liked to have spent more time using it, I was impressed with that little camera. I can't say that about very many compacts. I'll let you guys know my thoughts on the 7D when my Canut friend has more time to let me goof around with it.
