Sony · Cyber-shot

Cyber-shot DSC-S90

Released 2005

A compact with a 4.065-megapixel CCD, 39–117 mm-equivalent Carl Zeiss lens, manual exposure, a 2.5-inch screen and rechargeable AA batteries.

Type: Compact
Sensor: 1/2.7-type
Megapixels: 4.065
Lens: 39–117 mm equivalent
Video: 640 × 480 at 30 fps
Body weight: 202 g

What reviewers say

DPReview and Imaging Resource praised fast response, straightforward handling, accurate colours and the large readable screen. Both found soft fine detail and warm indoor results with automatic white balance. DPReview criticised flash recycling and the limited manual aperture choices; Imaging Resource noted lost detail at higher ISO and sensitivity to non-Sony rechargeable batteries.

From dpreview.com and old.imaging-resource.com

Product links

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Image and sensor

Camera type: Compact
Sensor format: 1/2.7-type
Sensor type: Super HAD CCD
Effective resolution: 4.065 MP
Largest image: 2304 × 1728
RAW recording: No
Standard ISO range: 80–400
Sensor detail: 4,231,000 total and 4,065,000 effective photosites in shared maker guide. Optical 1/2.7-type, not a physical sensor measurement
Image formats: JPEG Exif 2.2, maximum 2304×1728 or 2304×1536 3:2; no RAW
Image processor: Sony Real Imaging Processor

Lens and shooting

Built-in lens: 39–117 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture: f/2.8–5.2
Optical zoom: 3×
Lens detail: Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar physical 6–18 mm F2.8–5.2, equivalent 39–117 mm. Threefold optical zoom. Macro minimum approximately 10 cm wide / 50 cm telephoto
Autofocus: Multi or centre AF; 0.5, 1, 3, 7 m and infinity presets; AF illuminator
Shutter: Manual 30–1/1000 second; slow-shutter noise reduction
Burst detail: Maximum four 4M Fine or six 4M Standard frames per burst, flash off. Multi Burst stores 16 subframes together in one 1M file, not 16 full-resolution photographs. No sustained burst rate claimed
Flash: Built-in flash; maker guide range 0.2–4.5 m wide / 0.5–2.5 m telephoto at Auto ISO
Exposure controls: Auto, Program, Manual and seven scene modes. Manual has two aperture positions at each zoom setting, F2.8/F5.6 wide or F5.2/F10 telephoto; no aperture- or shutter-priority mode

Video

Highest video resolution: 640 × 480 at 30 fps
Video detail: MPEG-1 mono audio. 640×480 Fine at 30 fps requires Memory Stick PRO; not available in internal memory or original Memory Stick. 640 Standard and 160 modes are separate

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: Optical
Screen size: 2.5″
Screen dots: 115,200
Touchscreen: No
Tilting screen: No
Display detail: Fixed 2.5-inch TFT, 115,200 dots (480×240); dots are not image pixels
Viewfinder detail: Separate optical finder

Connections and design

Battery life (maker's claim): 420 photographs
Body weight: 202 g
Release detail: Sony Hong Kong announced 9 March 2005. Production-unit DPReview test in May 2005 discusses street pricing, and Imaging Resource lists May 2005 availability. Earliest actual worldwide sale month remains unestablished; year precision retained. No assumed predecessor relationship
Recording media: 32 MB internal memory; optional original Memory Stick or Memory Stick PRO. No card supplied
Ports: USB 2.0 Hi-Speed and A/V through multi-use connector. Exact shared guide/setup confirms this terminal despite a conflicting NO in archived UK template
Battery life detail: 420 shots / 210 minutes with supplied NH-AA-DA rechargeable AA pair, LCD on, CIPA conditions at 25°C: Fine quality, Single AF, shot every 30 seconds, zoom between extremes, flash every other shot and power off every ten. Alternative batteries have different ratings
Charging: External BC-CS2A/CS2B charger, approximately six hours for fully depleted supplied NH-AA-DA pair at 25°C; no USB charging claim
Dimensions: 96.6×64.4×40.1 mm width×height×depth excluding maximum protrusions
Weight detail: 202 g body in exact UK specifications; 253 g with two batteries and wrist strap in shared guide. Loaded weight not used as body figure
Colours: Silver and blue in Sony Hong Kong launch; regional finishes differ
In the box: Two HR6 NiMH AA batteries, battery case, BC-CS2A/CS2B charger and mains lead, multi-use USB/A/V cable, wrist strap, software CD and guides. Optional NP-NH25 battery pack, AC-LS5K adaptor and CSS-SA station excluded

Pros and cons

Pros

Manual exposure alongside automatic and scene modes
Rechargeable AA batteries and charger supplied
32 MB internal memory

Cons

No RAW recording
VGA 30 fps video requires Memory Stick PRO
Fixed 115,200-dot screen

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyCyber-shot DSC-S40	Compact	1/2.7-type	4.065	32–96 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 30 fps	132 g	2005
SonyCyber-shot DSC-S60	Compact	1/2.7-type	4.065	39–117 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 30 fps	198 g	2005
SonyCyber-shot DSC-S80	Compact	1/2.7-type	4.065	39–117 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 30 fps	198 g	2005

Sources

Photo: Sony Germany via digitalkamera.de

Spot a mistake? Tell us