Canon Elph 115 IS vs Canon PowerShot SD990 IS: A Thorough Comparative Review for Photography Enthusiasts

When comparing compact cameras, especially those from the familiar Canon Elph / PowerShot lineup, discerning real-world differences can be like unearthing subtle soil textures in a garden of seemingly similar gear. Today, we're dissecting two ultracompact Canon cameras from different eras: the Canon Elph 115 IS (also known as the IXUS 132 HS), launched in early 2013, and the somewhat older Canon PowerShot SD990 IS (a.k.a Digital IXUS 980 IS) from 2008. Though both fall under the ultracompact umbrella, they represent distinct approaches shaped by their respective technological ages.

I’ve spent extensive hands-on time with both cameras, evaluating their suitability for various photography disciplines – from landscapes to wildlife, portraits to night shooting. Here, we break down the critical technical specs, real-world usability, image quality, and more, supported by direct comparisons where appropriate, to help you make an informed choice tailored to your needs and budget.

Let’s start with how they feel in the hand.

Handling and Ergonomics: The Compact vs. Ultra-Compact Debate

When it comes to pocket-sized cameras, size and handling can profoundly influence your shooting experience. The Canon Elph 115 IS is notably smaller and lighter than the SD990 IS, measuring 93 x 57 x 20 mm and weighing a mere 135 grams versus the older SD990 IS’s chunkier 98 x 62 x 28 mm dimensions and 205 grams weight.

This translates to a more discreet, conveniently portable camera in the Elph 115 IS, an advantage for street photographers and travelers who prize minimalism without compromising too much on control. However, the thinner body of the Elph 115 IS also means compromise in grip comfort; it lacks the tactile reassurance of the slightly beefier SD990 IS, which feels steadier in extended use, especially when zoomed in. In my real-world trials snapping urban landscapes and casual portraits, I appreciated the SD990’s sturdier hold, particularly under less controlled shooting conditions.

Looking at control layouts, both cameras keep it simple by design, with few physical buttons and limited manual control options. Neither offers manual exposure modes or manual focus - something to note for photographers seeking creative control. The Elph 115 IS features a streamlined top control interface without a status LCD, while the SD990 IS adds a basic but useful optical tunnel viewfinder – increasingly rare in this compact class.

The Elph’s live view only setup means you rely solely on its 3-inch LCD screen for framing - more on that shortly - while the SD990’s optical viewfinder offers framing flexibility outdoors, though it’s rather basic and prone to parallax error. The takeaway: for pure portability, Elph 115 IS wins, but SD990’s more substantial ergonomics suit those who prefer grip confidence during longer shooting sessions.

LCD Screen and Interface: Digital Touchpoints Matter

Viewing and composing your shot on an outdated or inferior LCD can be frustrating, especially in ultracompact cameras designed for casual and enthusiast shooters alike.

The Canon Elph 115 IS boasts a 3-inch PureColor II G TFT LCD with a resolution of 461k dots. This is a reasonably sharp and bright display with decent viewing angles, providing a comfortable eye on your composition, histogram, and playback modes.

By contrast, the SD990 IS’s 2.5-inch LCD is smaller and notably lower resolution (230k dots), making it less forgiving for checking image sharpness or fine details in the field. The smaller screen increases the chance you’ll miss subtle focus or exposure issues until you review images on a larger monitor.

In my tests under bright daylight, the Elph's screen fared far better, retaining visibility without excessive glare or color distortion. The SD990 occasionally felt like looking through a fogged window, especially on the move. However, the SD990’s optical viewfinder partly makes up for this limitation in strong sunlight.

For menus and controls, both cameras offer a straightforward interface, though neither supports touchscreen operation. The Elph’s DIGIC 5 processor results in snappier menu navigation and quicker shot-to-shot responsiveness compared to the older SD990 IS.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality Insights

Sensor size plays a decisive role in image quality, dictating resolution potential, noise levels at high ISO, and dynamic range, all crucial for photographers who expect more than Instagram-ready snaps.

The SD990 IS features a larger 1/1.7" CCD sensor measuring approximately 7.44 x 5.58 mm (41.52 mm²), delivering 15 megapixels at a maximum native ISO of 1600. Its CCD architecture is somewhat dated by today’s standards but was regarded as capable of decent image quality in its time.

In contrast, the Elph 115 IS employs a newer BSI-CMOS 1/2.3" sensor at 16 megapixels, smaller in physical size (6.17 x 4.55 mm, or 28.07 mm²) but benefiting from modern backside-illuminated technology and an upgraded DIGIC 5 image processor.

Where the SD990 benefits from a physically larger sensor, the Elph compensates with CMOS efficiency and advanced noise reduction algorithms. Practically speaking, in daylight conditions, both cameras produce competent images with solid detail and accurate colors, though the Elph’s images tend to have less digital noise when pushed towards ISO 800 and above.

Dynamic range is generally limited in these sensors, so avoid clipping highlights or crushing shadows excessively. In landscape snapshots of bright skies against shaded foregrounds, I observed the Elph preserved better highlight roll-off, while the SD990 occasionally blew highlights more abruptly.

It’s worth noting neither supports RAW capture, restricting post-processing flexibility. For photographers who like deep edits, these cameras may feel limiting.

Lens and Zoom: Balancing Reach and Brightness

Ultracompact cameras typically come with fixed, retractable zoom lenses, balancing reach and aperture.

The Elph 115 IS sports a 24–120mm equivalent 5x optical zoom with a bright-ish aperture range of f/2.7–5.9. The SD990 IS offers a narrower zoom, 36–133mm (3.7x optical zoom) with a nearly identical aperture at f/2.8–5.8.

Between these, the Elph’s wider 24mm equivalent wide-angle is a notable advantage for landscapes and group portraits, where fitting more in the frame counts. The longer telephoto on the SD990 IS permits tighter framing on distant subjects, albeit with more notable softening and chromatic aberrations typical at the extended end of these compact zooms.

Both lenses exhibit moderate distortion at wide angles that is largely corrected in-camera, with some softness creeping in as you zoom towards the longest focal lengths. Neither lens is particularly sharp corner-to-corner, but center sharpness is respectable, favoring casual users and travel photographers.

Macro capabilities differ slightly: the Elph can focus down to 3 cm, making it quite adept for close-up flower or detail shots, while the SD990’s 5 cm minimum focus distance is less forgiving for super close macro work.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance

Evaluating autofocus (AF) systems on ultracompacts can be a mixed bag – they lack the speed and sophistication of DSLRs or mirrorless cameras but still matter a great deal when capturing spontaneous moments.

The Elph 115 IS has a contrast-detection AF system featuring 9 focus points with face detection and tracking capabilities, allowing continuous autofocus during burst shooting at a modest 2 fps. The SD990 IS uses a simpler contrast-detection AF without continuous AF or face tracking, and only a single shot per second burst rate.

In practice, the Elph’s AF is faster to lock and more reliable in continuous motion scenarios. In portrait sessions, face detection improves focus accuracy on subjects, and eye detection, though not implemented, is somewhat compensated by face tracking. The SD990 IS feels sluggish by comparison, often hunting in lower light and losing focus on moving subjects.

Neither camera is ideal for action or sports, but for everyday snapshots and occasional candid wildlife shots, the Elph’s refined AF notably enhances keeper rates.

Image Stabilization: Keeping Shots Sharp on the Go

Both cameras feature optical image stabilization (OIS), an essential tool for handheld ultra-zoom photography and low light.

Canon’s implementation in both models reduces blur caused by camera shake effectively, though I noticed the Elph 115 IS’s stabilized shots retain more detail at longer focal lengths and slower shutter speeds, likely thanks to advances in gyroscope sensors and processor-based correction.

Practically, if you’re shooting handheld indoors or in dim light at zoom, the Elph gives you more breathing room before resorting to flash or tripod.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations for Extended Use

Battery endurance is a crucial aspect that sometimes gets underrated.

The Elph 115 IS uses the NB-11L battery with a rated 170 shots per charge, while the SD990 IS uses the older NB-5L battery with unspecified official rating. Based on my field testing, the SD990 carved out roughly comparable endurance but felt less consistent, especially when using the LCD extensively.

Both cameras rely on a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot for storage, standard and convenient.

Video Features: Modest by Today’s Standards but Adequate for Casual Use

When inspecting video capabilities, the Elph 115 IS again shows generational progress. It records Full HD 1080p video at 24 fps encoded in H.264, and also supports 720p and multiple slow-motion options (up to 240 fps at lower resolutions).

The SD990 IS maxes out at 640 x 480 VGA resolution at 30 fps using the older Motion JPEG format, which results in large files and lower quality footage.

Neither camera has microphone or headphone jacks, restricting audio control.

For casual video clips, the Elph’s improved resolution and file compression represent a clear advantage.

Build Quality and Durability: Lightweight but Not Rugged

Both cameras are designed as stylish, pocket-friendly ultracompacts without weather sealing or rugged features. Neither is shockproof, dustproof, crushproof, or freezeproof, so outdoor enthusiasts should treat these as casual tools rather than rugged companions.

The Elph 115 IS feels slightly more modern and solid despite the reduced weight. The SD990 IS’s older build has a reassuring heft but both share plastic-bodied construction typical for consumer compacts.

Lens Ecosystem and Expandability: Fixed Lenses Limit Flexibility

Neither camera supports interchangeable lenses. This is a fundamental limitation for advanced users but understandable for their size class.

Users seeking lens versatility will need to look beyond ultracompact fixed lens models.

Connectivity and Wireless Features: A Notable Gap

Neither camera includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS. The Elph 115 IS does offer an HDMI port for external display connection, whereas the SD990 IS lacks this.

In today’s connected world, the absence of wireless transfer places both cameras at a disadvantage compared to modern compacts, meaning users will rely on USB 2.0 transfers.

Price and Value Assessment

At the time of writing, the Canon Elph 115 IS retails around $225 new, while the SD990 IS is now discontinued and only available used.

For buyers prioritizing image quality, ease of use, and compactness, the Elph 115 IS stands out as a better value, providing a more modern sensor, improved AF, HD video, and better portability.

Real-World Photography Performance Across Genres

Let’s contextualize performance for typical photography disciplines.

Canon Elph 115 IS front Canon Elph 115 IS screen back Canon SD990 IS front Canon SD990 IS screen back

• Portrait Photography: Elph’s face detection and better AF tracking make it the wiser pick. Skin tone rendition is comparable, though SD990’s larger sensor produces subtly smoother bokeh at telephoto focal lengths.

• Landscape Photography: Elph’s wider 24mm zoom edge benefits composition. Dynamic range is limited in both, but Elph handles highlights more gracefully.

• Wildlife & Sports: Neither excels here due to slow burst rates and AF limitations but Elph’s faster continuous AF gives a slight edge.

• Street Photography: Elph’s discreet size and quiet operation suit street shooters aiming for unobtrusive capture; SD990’s optical viewfinder is a small plus for frugal framing in bright light.

• Macro Photography: Closer minimum focus distance on the Elph favors macro shooters seeking fine details.

• Night & Astro: Elph’s higher max ISO (3200) and modern BSI sensor offer improved low light capture but noise is still evident.

• Video: Elph clearly superior with 1080p capability.

• Travel: Elph’s ultra-portability and better battery efficiency wins again.

• Professional Work: Both cameras lack RAW, manual controls, and robustness needed for professional use but may serve as convenient secondary shooters.

Final Camera Scores and Genre Ratings at a Glance

Conclusion: Which Canon Ultracompact Fits Your Photography Style?

After exhaustive testing and detailed comparison, here’s my thoughtfully balanced verdict:

• The Canon Elph 115 IS offers a compelling package for those seeking a pocket-friendly, easy-to-use ultracompact with solid image quality, fast autofocus, Full HD video, and excellent portability. It suits casual enthusiasts, travelers, street shooters, and family photographers who value convenience without diving into manual complexity.

• The Canon PowerShot SD990 IS, while a worthy camera in its heyday, now feels a bit dated. Its larger sensor is a strength for image quality in certain scenarios, but sluggish autofocus, smaller zoom range, and absence of HD video hold it back. It remains a charming option for vintage Canon fans or tight budgets seeking an ultracompact used camera.

Neither camera is ideal for demanding professional tasks or advanced creativity due to fixed lenses and limited manual controls, but both perform competently within their design scope.

If your budget allows and you want an ultracompact that simply handles better in modern shooting conditions, Canon Elph 115 IS is my recommended choice.

This comparative review aims to bring transparency and practical insight from my extensive testing experience to empower your purchasing decision. Choosing the right camera goes beyond specs - it’s about matching gear to how and where you shoot. I hope this detailed breakdown clears the fog and points you toward a camera that feels like a true photographic companion.

Happy shooting!