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Canon SD990 IS vs Leica S2

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
23
Overall
32
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front
 
Leica S2 front
Portability
52
Imaging
74
Features
43
Overall
61

Canon SD990 IS vs Leica S2 Key Specs

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
  • Launched September 2008
  • Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 980 IS
Leica S2
(Full Review)
  • 38MP - Medium format Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1250
  • No Video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1410g - 160 x 120 x 81mm
  • Announced September 2008
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Canon SD990 IS vs Leica S2 Overview

Here, we are matching up the Canon SD990 IS vs Leica S2, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Pro DSLR by companies Canon and Leica. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the SD990 IS (15MP) and S2 (38MP) and the SD990 IS (1/1.7") and S2 (Medium format) provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The SD990 IS was launched around the same time to the S2 and they are both of a similar age. Both cameras feature different body design with the Canon SD990 IS being a Ultracompact camera and the Leica S2 being a Large SLR camera.

Before we go into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SD990 IS scores versus the S2 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Leica S2

 SD990 IS S2 

Reasons to pick Leica S2 over the Canon SD990 IS

 S2 SD990 IS 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD990 IS and Leica S2

 SD990 IS S2 
AnnouncedSeptember 2008September 2008Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Canon SD990 IS vs Leica S2 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon SD990 IS provides exterior measurements of 98mm x 62mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Leica S2 has measurements of 160mm x 120mm x 81mm (6.3" x 4.7" x 3.2") with a weight of 1410 grams (3.11 lbs).

Compare the Canon SD990 IS vs Leica S2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the SD990 IS and the S2.

Canon SD990 IS vs Leica S2 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SD990 IS and S2 is 92 and 52 respectively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Leica S2 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Leica S2 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to see the contrast in sensor sizing purely by researching specifications. The graphic here might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SD990 IS and S2.

Plainly, each of these cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SD990 IS due to its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF tougher and the Leica S2 will render extra detail utilizing its extra 23MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics a good deal more aggressively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Leica S2 sensor size comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Leica S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD990 IS vs Leica S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Portrait photography features
Leica S2 Portrait photography features
37
flash sync is higher than normal (1/500s)
MP count good (15 megapixels)
offers face detect focus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
does not have RAW support
76
has manual focus
MP count fantastic (38 megapixels)
great sensor size (Medium format)
supports RAW files
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Street photography information
Leica S2 Street photography information
54
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than others (205 grams)
51
great sensor size (Medium format)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
maximum ISO low (1,250)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Sports photography camera
Leica S2 as a Sports photography camera
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (15 megapixels)
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect auto focus
58
MP count fantastic (38 megapixels)
great sensor size (Medium format)
supports phase detect AF
does not have liveview
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (1,000 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Travel photography features
Leica S2 Travel photography features
57
MP count good (15 megapixels)
built-in flash
more heavy than others (205g)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
45
MP count fantastic (38MP)
does not have Timelapse function
low battery pack (1,000 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Leica S2 as a Landscape photography camera
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (15MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inch)
manual mode not available
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
does not have RAW support
62
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
MP count fantastic (38 megapixels)
great sensor size (Medium format)
supports RAW files
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
maximum ISO low (1,250)
low battery pack (1,000 shots)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Vlogging advice
Leica S2 Vlogging advice
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
wide angle not good (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have microphone socket
more heavy than others (205g)
9
no video recording
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Canon SD990 IS vs Leica S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD990 IS and Leica S2
 Canon PowerShot SD990 ISLeica S2
General Information
Brand Canon Leica
Model Canon PowerShot SD990 IS Leica S2
Also referred to as Digital IXUS 980 IS -
Category Ultracompact Pro DSLR
Launched 2008-09-17 2008-09-23
Physical type Ultracompact Large SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" Medium format
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 45 x 30mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 1,350.0mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 38MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 4416 x 3312 7500 x 5000
Max native ISO 1600 1250
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Leica L
Lens focal range 36-133mm (3.7x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.8 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Number of lenses - 30
Crop factor 4.8 0.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.86x
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 32s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.60 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) no built-in flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/500s -
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), 160 x 120 (15 fps) -
Max video resolution 640x480 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 205 grams (0.45 lb) 1410 grams (3.11 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 62 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 160 x 120 x 81mm (6.3" x 4.7" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 76
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 824
Other
Battery life - 1000 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC card -
Card slots One One
Retail price - $0