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Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S2900

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
23
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S2900 front
Portability
96
Imaging
45
Features
32
Overall
39

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S2900 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
  • Announced September 2008
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 980 IS
Nikon S2900
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
  • 119g - 95 x 59 x 20mm
  • Released January 2015
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Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S2900 Overview

Below, we will be contrasting the Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S2900, both Ultracompact cameras by companies Canon and Nikon. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the SD990 IS (15MP) and S2900 (20MP) and the SD990 IS (1/1.7") and S2900 (1/2.3") use different sensor dimensions.

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The SD990 IS was announced 7 years earlier than the S2900 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple summary of how the SD990 IS scores against the S2900 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Nikon S2900

 SD990 IS S2900 

Reasons to pick Nikon S2900 over the Canon SD990 IS

 S2900 SD990 IS 
ReleasedJanuary 2015September 2008Fresher by 77 months
Screen dimension2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SD990 IS and Nikon S2900

 SD990 IS S2900 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S2900 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SD990 IS comes with outside 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 S2900 has proportions of 95mm x 59mm x 20mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 119 grams (0.26 lbs).

Compare the Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S2900 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the SD990 IS vs the S2900.

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S2900 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD990 IS and S2900 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S2900 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S2900 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to picture the difference in sensor sizing simply by seeing technical specs. The graphic below will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SD990 IS and S2900.

As you have seen, each of the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SD990 IS using its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Nikon S2900 will produce greater detail with its extra 5 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots much more aggressively. The older SD990 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S2900 sensor size comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S2900 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S2900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Portrait photography information
Nikon S2900 Portrait photography information
37
flash sync is higher than normal (1/500 seconds)
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
features face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
lacks RAW support
38
MP count good (20 megapixels)
comes with face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD990 IS
Street photography with Nikon S2900
54
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
lacks RAW support
more heavy than average in class (205g)
59
image stabilization (Digital)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Sports photography details
Nikon S2900 Sports photography details
35
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
lacks phase detect auto focus
51
image stabilization (Digital)
MP count good (20MP)
comes with tracking focus
better than average battery power (250 CIPA)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Travel photography camera
Nikon S2900 as a Travel photography camera
57
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
more heavy than average in class (205g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
70
better than average battery power (250 shots)
MP count good (20MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
no Timelapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Landscape photography details
Nikon S2900 Landscape photography details
34
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
no manual mode
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
lacks RAW support
44
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Digital)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
better than average battery power (250 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Vlogging highlights
Nikon S2900 Vlogging highlights
27
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
wide angle not good (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have microphone socket
more heavy than average in class (205g)
32
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Digital)
comes with face detect autofocus
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone jack
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Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S2900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD990 IS and Nikon S2900
 Canon PowerShot SD990 ISNikon Coolpix S2900
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SD990 IS Nikon Coolpix S2900
Also called as Digital IXUS 980 IS -
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Announced 2008-09-17 2015-01-14
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor - Expeed C2
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 area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4416 x 3312 5152 x 3864
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 36-133mm (3.7x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/3.2-6.5
Macro focus range 5cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.60 m 4.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/500 seconds -
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) 1280 x 720 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 pounds) 119g (0.26 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 62 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 95 x 59 x 20mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 - 250 photos
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L EN-EL19
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price - $117