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Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S3700

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
23
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S3700 front
Portability
96
Imaging
45
Features
32
Overall
39

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S3700 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
  • Also referred to as Digital IXUS 980 IS
Nikon S3700
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.7-6.6) lens
  • 118g - 96 x 58 x 20mm
  • Announced January 2015
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Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S3700 Overview

Here is a extended overview of the Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S3700, both Ultracompact cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. There is a noticeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the SD990 IS (15MP) and S3700 (20MP) and the SD990 IS (1/1.7") and S3700 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor size.

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The SD990 IS was brought out 7 years earlier than the S3700 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before delving right into a detailed comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the SD990 IS matches up vs the S3700 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Nikon S3700

 SD990 IS S3700 

Reasons to pick Nikon S3700 over the Canon SD990 IS

 S3700 SD990 IS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015September 2008Fresher by 77 months
Screen size2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SD990 IS and Nikon S3700

 SD990 IS S3700 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S3700 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SD990 IS has 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 S3700 has proportions of 96mm x 58mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 118 grams (0.26 lbs).

Look at the Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S3700 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the SD990 IS against the S3700.

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S3700 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SD990 IS and S3700 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S3700 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S3700 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing purely by checking out specs. The photograph underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SD990 IS and S3700.

All in all, the two cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SD990 IS featuring a bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh easier and the Nikon S3700 will produce more detail having its extra 5 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots way more aggressively. The older SD990 IS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S3700 sensor size comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S3700 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S3700 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD990 IS
Portrait photography with Nikon S3700
37
flash sync speed is above average (1/500s)
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
comes with face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
does not have RAW support
38
good megapixels (20MP)
supports face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Street photography details
Nikon S3700 Street photography details
54
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than competition (205 grams)
59
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD990 IS
Sports photography with Nikon S3700
35
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect autofocus
51
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
supports tracking focus
better than average battery pack (240 per charge)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Travel photography camera
Nikon S3700 as a Travel photography camera
57
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
flash built-in
more heavy than competition (205 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
70
better than average battery pack (240 per charge)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon S3700 as a Landscape photography camera
34
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
no manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
does not have RAW support
44
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
better than average battery pack (240 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.7)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Vlogging camera
Nikon S3700 as a Vlogging camera
27
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
wide angle not the best (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external microphone jack
more heavy than competition (205 grams)
32
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
slow max aperture (f3.7)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
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Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S3700 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD990 IS and Nikon S3700
 Canon PowerShot SD990 ISNikon Coolpix S3700
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SD990 IS Nikon Coolpix S3700
Otherwise known as Digital IXUS 980 IS -
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Released 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 dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4416 x 3312 5152 x 3864
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 36-133mm (3.7x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/3.7-6.6
Macro focus distance 5cm 2cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.60 m 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) -
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/500 seconds -
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 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 205 grams (0.45 lb) 118 grams (0.26 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 62 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 96 x 58 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 - 240 images
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L EN-EL19
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing - $175