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Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon A10

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
23
Overall
32
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix A10 front
Portability
94
Imaging
41
Features
23
Overall
33

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon A10 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
  • Also referred to as Digital IXUS 980 IS
Nikon A10
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 160g - 96 x 59 x 29mm
  • Introduced January 2016
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Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon A10 Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon A10, both Ultracompact cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. The resolution of the SD990 IS (15MP) and the A10 (16MP) is very close but the SD990 IS (1/1.7") and A10 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The SD990 IS was introduced 8 years earlier than the A10 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the SD990 IS grades against the A10 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Nikon A10

 SD990 IS A10 

Reasons to pick Nikon A10 over the Canon SD990 IS

 A10 SD990 IS 
IntroducedJanuary 2016September 2008More modern by 89 months
Display size2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SD990 IS and Nikon A10

 SD990 IS A10 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon A10 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon SD990 IS has got exterior measurements of 98mm x 62mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Nikon A10 has measurements of 96mm x 59mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon A10 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the SD990 IS vs the A10.

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon A10 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD990 IS and A10 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon A10 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon A10 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to see the difference in sensor sizes merely by researching a spec sheet. The image below will offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SD990 IS and A10.

As you can see, each of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SD990 IS using its larger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Nikon A10 will provide you with extra detail using its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SD990 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon A10 sensor size comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon A10 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon A10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD990 IS
Portrait photography with Nikon A10
37
above average flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
provides face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/1.7")
doesn't have RAW support
36
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD990 IS
Street photography with Nikon A10
54
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/1.7")
doesn't have RAW support
heavier than competition (205 grams)
56
built in image stabilization (Digital)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
more heavy than average in class (160g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Sports photography advice
Nikon A10 Sports photography advice
35
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
37
built in image stabilization (Digital)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
max fps very slow (1.2 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Travel photography camera
Nikon A10 as a Travel photography camera
57
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
flash built-in
heavier than competition (205 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
62
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (26mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than average in class (160g)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Landscape photography features
Nikon A10 Landscape photography features
34
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor (1/1.7")
doesn't have RAW support
39
quite wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Digital)
resolution is good (16MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Vlogging details
Nikon A10 Vlogging details
27
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
wide angle not the best (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
no mic support
heavier than competition (205g)
30
quite wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Digital)
comes with face detect focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone port
more heavy than average in class (160g)
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Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon A10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD990 IS and Nikon A10
 Canon PowerShot SD990 ISNikon Coolpix A10
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SD990 IS Nikon Coolpix A10
Other name Digital IXUS 980 IS -
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Launched 2008-09-17 2016-01-14
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4416 x 3312 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 36-133mm (3.7x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/3.2-6.5
Macro focus range 5cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 1.2 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.60 m 3.60 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, off, fill flash, slow sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30p)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 205g (0.45 lb) 160g (0.35 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 62 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 96 x 59 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.3" 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 - 200 images
Style of battery - AA
Battery model NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost - $90