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Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S230

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
23
Overall
32
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S230 front
Portability
96
Imaging
33
Features
21
Overall
28

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S230 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
  • Released September 2008
  • Additionally Known as Digital IXUS 980 IS
Nikon S230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 2000
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-105mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 115g - 91 x 57 x 20mm
  • Revealed February 2009
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Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S230 Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Canon SD990 IS versus Nikon S230, both Ultracompact digital cameras by rivals Canon and Nikon. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the SD990 IS (15MP) and S230 (10MP) and the SD990 IS (1/1.7") and S230 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The SD990 IS was revealed 4 months before the S230 and they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before going in to a complete comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the SD990 IS scores versus the S230 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Nikon S230

 SD990 IS S230 

Reasons to pick Nikon S230 over the Canon SD990 IS

 S230 SD990 IS 
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SD990 IS and Nikon S230

 SD990 IS S230 
RevealedSeptember 2008February 2009Similar age
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S230 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and volume. The Canon SD990 IS enjoys physical measurements of 98mm x 62mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Nikon S230 has sizing of 91mm x 57mm x 20mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 115 grams (0.25 lbs).

Examine the Canon SD990 IS versus Nikon S230 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the SD990 IS versus the S230.

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S230 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SD990 IS and S230 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S230 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S230 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to see the gap between sensor sizing only by looking at technical specs. The graphic underneath should give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SD990 IS and S230.

As you have seen, the two cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SD990 IS having a bigger sensor will make getting shallower DOF easier and the Canon SD990 IS will give greater detail because of its extra 5 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a little more aggressively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S230 sensor size comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S230 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Portrait photography factors
Nikon S230 Portrait photography factors
37
flash sync speed is above average (1/500 seconds)
decent MP (15 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
doesn't have RAW format
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD990 IS
Street photography with Nikon S230
54
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
doesn't have RAW format
more heavy than competition (205g)
57
has image stabilization (Digital)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Sports photography features
Nikon S230 Sports photography features
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (15 megapixels)
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect AF
26
has image stabilization (Digital)
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Travel photography information
Nikon S230 Travel photography information
57
decent MP (15MP)
has built in flash
more heavy than competition (205 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD990 IS
Landscape photography with Nikon S230
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (15MP)
manual focus not available
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
doesn't have RAW format
31
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Digital)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SD990 IS
Vlogging with Nikon S230
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
wide angle not the best (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have microphone jack
more heavy than competition (205 grams)
28
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
no external mic socket
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Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD990 IS and Nikon S230
 Canon PowerShot SD990 ISNikon Coolpix S230
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SD990 IS Nikon Coolpix S230
Also called as Digital IXUS 980 IS -
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Released 2008-09-17 2009-02-03
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4416 x 3312 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 2000
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 36-133mm (3.7x) 35-105mm (3.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 11.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.60 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) Auto, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On, Slow sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/500s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 205g (0.45 lb) 115g (0.25 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 62 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 91 x 57 x 20mm (3.6" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 ID NB-5L EN-EL10
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (3 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release - $150