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Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon L21

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
23
Overall
32
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
11
Overall
23

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon L21 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
  • Introduced September 2008
  • Also referred to as Digital IXUS 980 IS
Nikon L21
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
  • 169g - 92 x 67 x 28mm
  • Released February 2010
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Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon L21 Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon L21, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Nikon. There exists a substantial gap between the image resolutions of the SD990 IS (15MP) and L21 (8MP) and the SD990 IS (1/1.7") and L21 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The SD990 IS was introduced 16 months prior to the L21 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Canon SD990 IS being a Ultracompact camera and the Nikon L21 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the SD990 IS scores against the L21 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Nikon L21

 SD990 IS L21 

Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Canon SD990 IS

 L21 SD990 IS 
ReleasedFebruary 2010September 2008More modern by 16 months

Common features in the Canon SD990 IS and Nikon L21

 SD990 IS L21 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.5"2.5"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon L21 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon SD990 IS has outer measurements of 98mm x 62mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Nikon L21 has measurements of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") with a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon L21 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the SD990 IS versus the L21.

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon L21 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD990 IS and L21 is 92 and 93 respectively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon L21 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon L21 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizes purely by going over specifications. The pic below will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SD990 IS and L21.

Plainly, each of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The SD990 IS with its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Canon SD990 IS will offer more detail using its extra 7 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged SD990 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon L21 sensor size comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon L21 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Portrait photography factors
Nikon L21 Portrait photography factors
37
above average flash sync (1/500 seconds)
decent MP (15MP)
features face detection focus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
doesn't have RAW files
19
no manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD990 IS
Street photography with Nikon L21
54
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
doesn't have RAW files
heavier than competitors (205g)
46
no moving screen
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon L21 as a Sports photography camera
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (15 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
16
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Travel photography factors
Nikon L21 Travel photography factors
57
decent MP (15MP)
built-in flash
heavier than competitors (205g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
50
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (8MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Landscape photography advice
Nikon L21 Landscape photography advice
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (15MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
lack of manual mode
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
doesn't have RAW files
22
no manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
no manual mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon L21 as a Vlogging camera
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
wide angle not good (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
no external mic socket
heavier than competitors (205g)
21
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
missing mic jack
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Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon L21 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD990 IS and Nikon L21
 Canon PowerShot SD990 ISNikon Coolpix L21
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SD990 IS Nikon Coolpix L21
Also referred to as Digital IXUS 980 IS -
Class Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2008-09-17 2010-02-03
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Expeed C2
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 8MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4416 x 3312 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 64
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 36-133mm (3.7x) 38-136mm (3.6x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/3.1-6.7
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.60 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 205 gr (0.45 lb) 169 gr (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 62 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" 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 model NB-5L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price - $180