First look at the Canon S95 and its HDR function

I’m not going to write a full review of the Canon S95 because it is as amazing as the S90. So simply put, the S95 is a killer point and shoot camera. Enough said. The biggest addition to the Canon S95 is the HDR function that is now built-in the camera.

So here we go. My quick summary of the HDR functionality of the Canon S95.

• The HDR results are ok. Not fantastic, stunning or even terribly exciting, but it works.
• The feature does bring back detail in the highlights and shadows depending on the scene.
• There is no control of shooting HDR, whatsoever and if there is, I cannot find it.
• HDR mode is actually a scene mode which means that the camera is basically on autopilot.
• Oh yea, your HDR photos are JPG since HDR is a scene mode.
• Last but not least, it does not compensate for Ghosting at all

To me the ghosting makes the photo look like a multiple exposed shot, not HDR.

Are you surprised? I am not. Canon could have taken the HDR functionality to a new level. They could have offered RAW capabilities, some sort of anti-ghosting and even a bit of control over the brackets.

Oh well, can’t expect too much HDR control from a point and shoot camera now can you?

Here are some more examples

Download Full Resolution: HDR & Original

Download Full Resolution: HDR & Original

I hope to test out the HDR scene mode even more soon, but for now…

Thanks for reading and happy shooting,

Scott