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Canon M50 vs Canon SD990 IS

Portability
79
Imaging
67
Features
88
Overall
75
Canon EOS M50 front
 
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
23
Overall
31

Canon M50 vs Canon SD990 IS Key Specs

Canon M50
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Expand to 51200)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Canon EF-M Mount
  • 390g - 116 x 88 x 59mm
  • Launched February 2018
  • Updated by Canon M50 II
Canon SD990 IS
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-133mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 205g - 98 x 62 x 28mm
  • Released September 2008
  • Also Known as Digital IXUS 980 IS
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Canon M50 vs Canon SD990 IS Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Canon M50 versus Canon SD990 IS, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Ultracompact and both are offered by Canon. There exists a sizeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the M50 (24MP) and SD990 IS (15MP) and the M50 (APS-C) and SD990 IS (1/1.7") provide different sensor sizes.

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The M50 was manufactured 9 years later than the SD990 IS and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Canon M50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Canon SD990 IS being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the M50 grades against the SD990 IS with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon M50 over the Canon SD990 IS

 M50 SD990 IS 
ReleasedFebruary 2018September 2008Fresher by 115 months
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1040k230kCrisper display (+810k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Canon M50

 SD990 IS M50 

Common features in the Canon M50 and Canon SD990 IS

 M50 SD990 IS 

Canon M50 vs Canon SD990 IS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera, you have to factor its weight and size. The Canon M50 enjoys exterior dimensions of 116mm x 88mm x 59mm (4.6" x 3.5" x 2.3") having a weight of 390 grams (0.86 lbs) and the Canon SD990 IS has specifications of 98mm x 62mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs).

Analyze the Canon M50 versus Canon SD990 IS in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the M50 vs the SD990 IS.

Canon M50 vs Canon SD990 IS size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the M50 and SD990 IS is 79 and 92 respectively.

Canon M50 vs Canon SD990 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon M50 vs Canon SD990 IS Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing merely by going through technical specs. The visual underneath should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the M50 and SD990 IS.

As you can tell, both the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The M50 featuring a larger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Canon M50 will produce more detail due to its extra 9MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images more aggressively. The younger M50 should have an advantage in sensor tech.

Canon M50 vs Canon SD990 IS sensor size comparison

Canon M50 vs Canon SD990 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon M50 vs Canon SD990 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon M50 Portrait photography info
Canon SD990 IS Portrait photography info
80
has manual focus
MP count decent (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
supports RAW files
37
high flash sync speed (1/500s)
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon M50 Street photography details
Canon SD990 IS Street photography details
84
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
includes touch focus
good ISO range (25,600)
54
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
no RAW support
more heavy than competition (205g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon M50 as a Sports photography camera
Canon SD990 IS as a Sports photography camera
75
built in image stabilization
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
has phase detect auto focus
terrible battery pack (235 shots)
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon M50 as a Travel photography camera
Canon SD990 IS as a Travel photography camera
78
connects via bluetooth
includes touch focus
MP count decent (24MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
terrible battery pack (235 CIPA)
57
good megapixels (15MP)
flash built-in
more heavy than competition (205g)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon M50
Landscape photography with Canon SD990 IS
79
has manual focus
swap lenses (Canon EF-M mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
terrible battery pack (235 shots)
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (15MP)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
no RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon M50 as a Vlogging camera
Canon SD990 IS as a Vlogging camera
85
selfie friendly screen
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization
provides face detect focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has microphone jack
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have microphone jack
more heavy than competition (205g)
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Canon M50 vs Canon SD990 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon M50 and Canon SD990 IS
 Canon EOS M50Canon PowerShot SD990 IS
General Information
Brand Canon Canon
Model type Canon EOS M50 Canon PowerShot SD990 IS
Otherwise known as - Digital IXUS 980 IS
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Launched 2018-02-26 2008-09-17
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 8 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 22.3 x 14.9mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 332.3mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 15MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6000 x 4000 4416 x 3312
Max native ISO 25600 1600
Max enhanced ISO 51200 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 143 -
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF-M fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 36-133mm (3.7x)
Largest aperture - f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Total lenses 23 -
Crop factor 1.6 4.8
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.5 inches
Display resolution 1,040k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (tunnel)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 15s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.60 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off)
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/500s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 120 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 640x480
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB No USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 390 gr (0.86 pounds) 205 gr (0.45 pounds)
Physical dimensions 116 x 88 x 59mm (4.6" x 3.5" x 2.3") 98 x 62 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 235 images -
Battery format Built-in -
Battery ID - NB-5L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC slot (UHS-I compatible) SD/SDHC/MMC card
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $779 -