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Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon L31

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
23
Overall
32
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L31 front
Portability
94
Imaging
41
Features
27
Overall
35

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon L31 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
  • Revealed September 2008
  • Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 980 IS
Nikon L31
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 160g - 96 x 59 x 29mm
  • Released January 2015
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Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon L31 Overview

Lets look much closer at the Canon SD990 IS versus Nikon L31, both Ultracompact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the SD990 IS (15MP) and the L31 (16MP) is relatively comparable but the SD990 IS (1/1.7") and L31 (1/2.3") offer different sensor size.

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The SD990 IS was revealed 7 years prior to the L31 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before getting right into a complete comparison, here is a quick overview of how the SD990 IS grades versus the L31 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Nikon L31

 SD990 IS L31 

Reasons to pick Nikon L31 over the Canon SD990 IS

 L31 SD990 IS 
ReleasedJanuary 2015September 2008More modern by 77 months
Screen size2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Canon SD990 IS and Nikon L31

 SD990 IS L31 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon L31 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon SD990 IS provides outside dimensions of 98mm x 62mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Nikon L31 has sizing of 96mm x 59mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs).

See the Canon SD990 IS versus Nikon L31 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the SD990 IS versus the L31.

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon L31 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD990 IS and L31 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon L31 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon L31 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to picture the difference in sensor sizes merely by checking out technical specs. The image below should provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD990 IS and L31.

As you have seen, both the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SD990 IS with its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field easier and the Nikon L31 will show extra detail because of its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged SD990 IS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon L31 sensor size comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon L31 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon L31 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD990 IS
Portrait photography with Nikon L31
37
high flash sync (1/500 seconds)
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
has face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
no RAW format
36
good resolution (16MP)
offers face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Street photography features
Nikon L31 Street photography features
54
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
no RAW format
more heavy than competition in class (205 grams)
56
has image stabilization (Digital)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
heavier than average in class (160 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Sports photography factors
Nikon L31 Sports photography factors
35
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
low fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
no phase detect autofocus
40
has image stabilization (Digital)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Travel photography information
Nikon L31 Travel photography information
57
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
built-in flash
more heavy than competition in class (205 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
decently wide (26mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than average in class (160 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon L31 as a Landscape photography camera
34
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inch)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
no RAW format
39
decently wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Digital)
good resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Vlogging highlights
Nikon L31 Vlogging highlights
27
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
wide angle not good (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (205 grams)
65
decently wide (26mm)
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Digital)
offers face detection autofocus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic support
heavier than average in class (160 grams)
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Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon L31 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD990 IS and Nikon L31
 Canon PowerShot SD990 ISNikon Coolpix L31
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SD990 IS Nikon Coolpix L31
Also Known as Digital IXUS 980 IS -
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Revealed 2008-09-17 2015-01-14
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor 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
Highest Possible resolution 4416 x 3312 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 36-133mm (3.7x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/3.2-6.5
Macro focus distance 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5" 2.7"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.60 m 3.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/500 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 1280 x 720
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 205 gr (0.45 pounds) 160 gr (0.35 pounds)
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 Overall 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
Battery style - AA
Battery model NB-5L 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release - $0