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Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD990 IS

Portability
95
Imaging
46
Features
29
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
23
Overall
32

Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD990 IS Key Specs

Canon 170 IS
(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
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
  • Also referred to as Digital IXUS 980 IS
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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.

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The 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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Reasons to pick Canon 170 IS over the Canon SD990 IS

 170 IS SD990 IS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015September 2008More modern by 77 months
Display size2.7"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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD990 IS size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD990 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD990 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 170 IS Portrait photography info
Canon SD990 IS Portrait photography info
39
MP count good (20MP)
offers face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
37
flash sync speed is above average (1/500s)
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
offers face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/1.7")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon 170 IS Street photography factors
Canon SD990 IS Street photography factors
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
54
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/1.7")
doesn't have RAW support
heavier than others in class (205 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon 170 IS Sports photography advice
Canon SD990 IS Sports photography advice
44
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (0.8 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
35
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon 170 IS
Travel photography with Canon SD990 IS
70
MP count good (20MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.6)
57
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
built-in flash
heavier than others in class (205 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 170 IS Landscape photography info
Canon SD990 IS Landscape photography info
41
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.6)
small screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
34
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5")
manual mode not available
very small sensor (1/1.7")
doesn't have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 170 IS Vlogging factors
Canon SD990 IS Vlogging factors
32
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
slow maximum aperture (f3.6)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
27
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
wide angle not the best (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
missing external mic support
heavier than others in class (205g)
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Canon 170 IS vs Canon SD990 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 170 IS and Canon SD990 IS
 Canon PowerShot ELPH 170 ISCanon 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 -