Canon A480 vs Canon SD990 IS
94 Imaging
33 Features
13 Overall
25
![Canon PowerShot A480 front Canon PowerShot A480 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Canon-PowerShot-A480/Canon-A480-front.jpg)
![Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Canon-PowerShot-SD990-IS/Canon-SD990-IS-front.jpg)
92 Imaging
38 Features
23 Overall
32
Canon A480 vs Canon SD990 IS Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 37-122mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
- 140g - 92 x 62 x 31mm
- Released January 2009
(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
- Revealed September 2008
- Other Name is Digital IXUS 980 IS
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Canon A480 vs Canon SD990 IS Overview
In this write-up, we are contrasting the Canon A480 vs Canon SD990 IS, both Ultracompact digital cameras and both are sold by Canon. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the A480 (10MP) and SD990 IS (15MP) and the A480 (1/2.3") and SD990 IS (1/1.7") feature totally different sensor size.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
The A480 was released 4 months after the SD990 IS so they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).
Before getting through a full comparison, below is a simple summation of how the A480 grades against the SD990 IS for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Canon A480 vs Canon SD990 IS Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot A480 and Canon PowerShot SD990 IS. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon A480 Gallery and Canon SD990 IS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A480 over the Canon SD990 IS
A480 | SD990 IS |
---|
Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Canon A480
SD990 IS | A480 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 115k | Sharper display (+115k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A480 and Canon SD990 IS
A480 | SD990 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2009 | ![]() | September 2008 | Similar generation |
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 2.5" | ![]() | 2.5" | Equivalent display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly display |
Canon A480 vs Canon SD990 IS Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to travel with your camera, you should factor its weight and size. The Canon A480 provides physical dimensions of 92mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 140 grams (0.31 lbs) whilst the Canon SD990 IS has specifications of 98mm x 62mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs).
Check out the Canon A480 vs Canon SD990 IS in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use at that moment. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the A480 compared to the SD990 IS.
![Canon A480 vs Canon SD990 IS size comparison Canon A480 vs Canon SD990 IS size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-PowerShot-A480-vs-Canon-PowerShot-SD990-IS-size-comparison.jpg)
Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the A480 and SD990 IS is 94 and 92 respectively.
![Canon A480 vs Canon SD990 IS top view buttons comparison Canon A480 vs Canon SD990 IS top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-PowerShot-A480-vs-Canon-PowerShot-SD990-IS-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Canon A480 vs Canon SD990 IS Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is very difficult to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions only by going over a spec sheet. The pic here might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the A480 and SD990 IS.
As you can see, each of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The A480 featuring a tinier sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging and the Canon SD990 IS will deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 5 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics far more aggressively.
![Canon A480 vs Canon SD990 IS sensor size comparison Canon A480 vs Canon SD990 IS sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Canon-PowerShot-A480-vs-Canon-PowerShot-SD990-IS-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Canon A480 vs Canon SD990 IS Screen and ViewFinder
![Canon A480 vs Canon SD990 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison Canon A480 vs Canon SD990 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-PowerShot-A480-vs-Canon-PowerShot-SD990-IS-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Canon A480 vs Canon SD990 IS Specifications
Canon PowerShot A480 | Canon PowerShot SD990 IS | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Canon |
Model type | Canon PowerShot A480 | Canon PowerShot SD990 IS |
Also called as | - | Digital IXUS 980 IS |
Class | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Released | 2009-01-15 | 2008-09-17 |
Physical type | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/1.7" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 7.44 x 5.58mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 41.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 15MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4416 x 3312 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 5 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 37-122mm (3.3x) | 36-133mm (3.7x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.0-5.8 | f/2.8-5.8 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 4.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.5 inch | 2.5 inch |
Display resolution | 115 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (tunnel) |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 15 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | 4.60 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/500 secs | 1/500 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 640x480 |
Video data format | - | Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 140 grams (0.31 lbs) | 205 grams (0.45 lbs) |
Dimensions | 92 x 62 x 31mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 98 x 62 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 ID | 2 x AA | NB-5L |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal | SD/SDHC/MMC card |
Card slots | One | One |
Retail price | $210 | - |