Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD990 IS
95 Imaging
45 Features
29 Overall
38
92 Imaging
37 Features
23 Overall
31
Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD990 IS Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-300mm (F3.6-7.0) lens
- 141g - 100 x 58 x 23mm
- Launched January 2015
- Additionally Known as IXUS 170
(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
- Also referred to as Digital IXUS 980 IS
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD990 IS Overview
Lets look closer at the Canon 170 IS and Canon SD990 IS, both Ultracompact digital cameras and both of them are sold by Canon. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the 170 IS (20MP) and SD990 IS (15MP) and the 170 IS (1/2.3") and SD990 IS (1/1.7") provide totally different sensor sizing.
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe 170 IS was unveiled 6 years after the SD990 IS which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Ultracompact).
Before diving right into a full comparison, here is a quick summation of how the 170 IS scores vs the SD990 IS in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS & Canon PowerShot SD990 IS. The full galleries are provided at Canon 170 IS Gallery & Canon SD990 IS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 170 IS over the Canon SD990 IS
| 170 IS | SD990 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | January 2015 | September 2008 | More modern by 77 months | |
| Display size | 2.7" | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Canon 170 IS
| SD990 IS | 170 IS |
|---|
Common features in the Canon 170 IS and Canon SD990 IS
| 170 IS | SD990 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | Lack of manual focus | |||
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display resolution | 230k | 230k | Identical display resolution | |
| Selfie screen | Neither provides selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly display | Missing Touch friendly display |
Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD990 IS Physical Comparison
When you are intending to carry around your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon 170 IS provides physical dimensions of 100mm x 58mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") with a weight of 141 grams (0.31 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).
Compare the Canon 170 IS and Canon SD990 IS in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the 170 IS compared to the SD990 IS.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the 170 IS and SD990 IS is 95 and 92 respectively.
Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD990 IS Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is very tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizes only by reviewing a spec sheet. The picture below might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the 170 IS and SD990 IS.
Clearly, each of the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The 170 IS having a tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF harder and the Canon 170 IS will offer you greater detail having an extra 5 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics way more aggressively. The more modern 170 IS is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.
Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD990 IS Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD990 IS Specifications
| Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS | Canon PowerShot SD990 IS | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Canon | Canon |
| Model type | Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS | Canon PowerShot SD990 IS |
| Also referred to as | IXUS 170 | Digital IXUS 980 IS |
| Category | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
| Launched | 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 dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 7.44 x 5.58mm |
| Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 41.5mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 20 megapixels | 15 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Maximum resolution | 5152 x 3864 | 4416 x 3312 |
| Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
| RAW format | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| AF touch | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| AF single | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Total focus points | 9 | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 25-300mm (12.0x) | 36-133mm (3.7x) |
| Max aperture | f/3.6-7.0 | f/2.8-5.8 |
| Macro focusing range | 1cm | 5cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 4.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen size | 2.7 inch | 2.5 inch |
| Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | Optical (tunnel) |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 15s | 15s |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1600s |
| Continuous shooting rate | 0.8 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash distance | 4.00 m | 4.60 m |
| Flash modes | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Highest flash synchronize | - | 1/500s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported 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) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
| Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
| Mic support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| 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 | 141 gr (0.31 lb) | 205 gr (0.45 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 100 x 58 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.9") | 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 life | 200 pictures | - |
| Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery ID | NB-11L/LH | NB-5L |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/SDHC/MMC card |
| Card slots | One | One |
| Price at launch | $149 | - |