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Canon 160 vs Canon SD990 IS

Portability
96
Imaging
45
Features
26
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot ELPH 160 front
 
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
23
Overall
31

Canon 160 vs Canon SD990 IS Key Specs

Canon 160
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.2-6.9) lens
  • 127g - 95 x 54 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2015
  • Alternate Name is IXUS 160
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
  • Announced September 2008
  • Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 980 IS
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Canon 160 vs Canon SD990 IS Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Canon 160 vs Canon SD990 IS, both Ultracompact digital cameras and they are both offered by Canon. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the 160 (20MP) and SD990 IS (15MP) and the 160 (1/2.3") and SD990 IS (1/1.7") come with totally different sensor dimensions.

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The 160 was unveiled 6 years after the SD990 IS which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summary of how the 160 scores vs the SD990 IS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon 160 over the Canon SD990 IS

 160 SD990 IS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015September 2008Newer by 77 months
Display sizing2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Canon 160

 SD990 IS 160 

Common features in the Canon 160 and Canon SD990 IS

 160 SD990 IS 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Canon 160 vs Canon SD990 IS Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon 160 offers physical measurements of 95mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") and a weight of 127 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Canon SD990 IS has dimensions of 98mm x 62mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check out the Canon 160 vs Canon SD990 IS in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the 160 vs the SD990 IS.

Canon 160 vs Canon SD990 IS size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 160 and SD990 IS is 96 and 92 respectively.

Canon 160 vs Canon SD990 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon 160 vs Canon SD990 IS Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to see the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by looking at a spec sheet. The picture underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the 160 and SD990 IS.

As you can see, both of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The 160 using its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF trickier and the Canon 160 will give you extra detail having an extra 5MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The younger 160 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon 160 vs Canon SD990 IS sensor size comparison

Canon 160 vs Canon SD990 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 160 vs Canon SD990 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 160 Portrait photography features
Canon SD990 IS Portrait photography features
38
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
37
high flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
good megapixels (15MP)
includes face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/1.7")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon 160 as a Street photography camera
Canon SD990 IS as a Street photography camera
59
has image stabilization (Digital)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
54
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/1.7")
lack of RAW format
more heavy than competition in class (205g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon 160 Sports photography factors
Canon SD990 IS Sports photography factors
43
has image stabilization (Digital)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
slow fps (0.8 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (15MP)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon 160 Travel photography details
Canon SD990 IS Travel photography details
67
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
57
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
more heavy than competition in class (205g)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 160 Landscape photography details
Canon SD990 IS Landscape photography details
41
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Timelapse function
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (15MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
no manual control
very small sensor (1/1.7")
lack of RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 160 Vlogging advice
Canon SD990 IS Vlogging advice
32
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
offers face detection focus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone support
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
wide angle not good (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone socket
more heavy than competition in class (205g)
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Canon 160 vs Canon SD990 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 160 and Canon SD990 IS
 Canon PowerShot ELPH 160Canon PowerShot SD990 IS
General Information
Make Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot ELPH 160 Canon PowerShot SD990 IS
Also called as IXUS 160 Digital IXUS 980 IS
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Introduced 2015-01-06 2008-09-17
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 4+ -
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 surface area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5152 x 3864 4416 x 3312
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-224mm (8.0x) 36-133mm (3.7x)
Maximal aperture f/3.2-6.9 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (tunnel)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 0.8fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m 4.60 m
Flash settings Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off)
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/500 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 127 gr (0.28 lb) 205 gr (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 95 x 54 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") 98 x 62 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-11L/LH NB-5L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/MMC card
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $135 -