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Canon SD990 IS vs Olympus VG-120

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
23
Overall
32
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front
 
Olympus VG-120 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Canon SD990 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Key Specs

Canon SD990 IS
(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
  • Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 980 IS
Olympus VG-120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 120g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2011
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Canon SD990 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Canon SD990 IS versus Olympus VG-120, both Ultracompact cameras by brands Canon and Olympus. The resolution of the SD990 IS (15MP) and the VG-120 (14MP) is relatively close but the SD990 IS (1/1.7") and VG-120 (1/2.3") offer different sensor sizing.

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The SD990 IS was introduced 3 years earlier than the VG-120 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the SD990 IS matches up against the VG-120 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Olympus VG-120

 SD990 IS VG-120 

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Canon SD990 IS

 VG-120 SD990 IS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011September 2008Newer by 28 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")

Common features in the Canon SD990 IS and Olympus VG-120

 SD990 IS VG-120 
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Canon SD990 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Canon SD990 IS has got exterior 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) while the Olympus VG-120 has sizing of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SD990 IS versus Olympus VG-120 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the SD990 IS vs the VG-120.

Canon SD990 IS vs Olympus VG-120 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SD990 IS and VG-120 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Olympus VG-120 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to picture the gap in sensor dimensions only by researching specs. The picture here will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SD990 IS and VG-120.

All in all, both of those cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The SD990 IS using its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF less difficult and the Canon SD990 IS will result in greater detail using its extra 1MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged SD990 IS will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SD990 IS vs Olympus VG-120 sensor size comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD990 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Portrait photography features
Olympus VG-120 Portrait photography features
37
high flash sync (1/500 seconds)
MP count good (15MP)
supports face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
does not have RAW support
33
MP count decent (14MP)
includes face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Street photography highlights
Olympus VG-120 Street photography highlights
54
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than average (205g)
48
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Sports photography camera
Olympus VG-120 as a Sports photography camera
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (15MP)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect autofocus
26
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (160 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Travel photography info
Olympus VG-120 Travel photography info
57
MP count good (15MP)
built-in flash
more heavy than average (205 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
62
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (26mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
not so great battery power (160 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Landscape photography features
Olympus VG-120 Landscape photography features
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (15 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5")
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
does not have RAW support
36
rather wide (26mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
MP count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery power (160 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Vlogging details
Olympus VG-120 Vlogging details
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external microphone socket
more heavy than average (205 grams)
28
rather wide (26mm)
includes face detection autofocus
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone support
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Canon SD990 IS vs Olympus VG-120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD990 IS and Olympus VG-120
 Canon PowerShot SD990 ISOlympus VG-120
General Information
Brand Canon Olympus
Model Canon PowerShot SD990 IS Olympus VG-120
Also Known as Digital IXUS 980 IS -
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Launched 2008-09-17 2011-01-06
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip - TruePic III
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 surface area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Full resolution 4416 x 3312 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection 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/2.8-6.5
Macro focus range 5cm 7cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.60 m 4.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest 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 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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) 120 gr (0.26 pounds)
Physical dimensions 98 x 62 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 - 160 photographs
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L LI-70B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch - $190