Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S70
92 Imaging
37 Features
23 Overall
31


95 Imaging
34 Features
26 Overall
30
Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S70 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 15MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 36-133mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
- 205g - 98 x 62 x 28mm
- Launched September 2008
- Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 980 IS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.9-5.8) lens
- 160g - 97 x 61 x 20mm
- Revealed August 2009

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S70 Overview
Below is a complete overview of the Canon SD990 IS and Nikon S70, both Ultracompact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the SD990 IS (15MP) and S70 (12MP) and the SD990 IS (1/1.7") and S70 (1/2.3") possess different sensor size.

The SD990 IS was launched 10 months prior to the S70 and they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Ultracompact).
Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick summation of how the SD990 IS scores versus the S70 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S70 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SD990 IS & Nikon Coolpix S70. The complete galleries are provided at Canon SD990 IS Gallery & Nikon S70 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Nikon S70
SD990 IS | S70 |
---|
Reasons to pick Nikon S70 over the Canon SD990 IS
S70 | SD990 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | August 2009 | ![]() | September 2008 | More recent by 10 months |
Display dimension | 3.5" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+1") |
Display resolution | 288k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+58k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Canon SD990 IS and Nikon S70
SD990 IS | S70 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen |
Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S70 Physical Comparison
If you are going to lug around your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and size. The Canon SD990 IS has outside measurements of 98mm x 62mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Nikon S70 has specifications of 97mm x 61mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 0.8") along with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs).
Look at the Canon SD990 IS and Nikon S70 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the SD990 IS compared to the S70.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD990 IS and S70 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S70 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's difficult to imagine the gap in sensor measurements simply by checking out specs. The graphic underneath should provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SD990 IS and S70.
As you can plainly see, both cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The SD990 IS featuring a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Canon SD990 IS will provide more detail utilizing its extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The older SD990 IS will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S70 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S70 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS | Nikon Coolpix S70 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot SD990 IS | Nikon Coolpix S70 |
Also Known as | Digital IXUS 980 IS | - |
Type | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Launched | 2008-09-17 | 2009-08-04 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Expeed |
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 | 15 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4416 x 3312 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Max boosted ISO | - | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 36-133mm (3.7x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/2.8-5.8 | f/3.9-5.8 |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | 3cm |
Focal length multiplier | 4.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.5 inch | 3.5 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dot | 288 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (tunnel) | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 4.60 m | - |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) | - |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest 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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
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 lbs) | 160 grams (0.35 lbs) |
Dimensions | 98 x 62 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 97 x 61 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" 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 model | NB-5L | EN-EL12 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/MMC card | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch pricing | - | $290 |