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Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FP1

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
23
Overall
32
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
13
Overall
26

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FP1 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
  • Launched September 2008
  • Also Known as Digital IXUS 980 IS
Panasonic FP1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 151g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2010
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Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FP1 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Canon SD990 IS and Panasonic FP1, both Ultracompact cameras by companies Canon and Panasonic. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the SD990 IS (15MP) and FP1 (12MP) and the SD990 IS (1/1.7") and FP1 (1/2.3") provide different sensor size.

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The SD990 IS was announced 15 months before the FP1 making them a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the SD990 IS scores vs the FP1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Panasonic FP1

 SD990 IS FP1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP1 over the Canon SD990 IS

 FP1 SD990 IS 
LaunchedJanuary 2010September 2008Fresher by 15 months
Display size2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SD990 IS and Panasonic FP1

 SD990 IS FP1 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FP1 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera, you will have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD990 IS provides external dimensions of 98mm x 62mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Panasonic FP1 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") along with a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs).

Check out the Canon SD990 IS and Panasonic FP1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use at that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the SD990 IS and the FP1.

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FP1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SD990 IS and FP1 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FP1 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FP1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizing only by going through specs. The graphic below should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD990 IS and FP1.

All in all, both of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SD990 IS with its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Canon SD990 IS will produce extra detail with its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The older SD990 IS will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FP1 sensor size comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FP1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FP1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Portrait photography information
Panasonic FP1 Portrait photography information
37
high flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
provides face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
doesn't have RAW files
21
no manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD990 IS
Street photography with Panasonic FP1
54
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
doesn't have RAW files
more heavy than competition in class (205 grams)
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
more heavy than others in class (151 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Sports photography factors
Panasonic FP1 Sports photography factors
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FP1 as a Travel photography camera
57
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
more heavy than competition in class (205g)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
50
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than others in class (151g)
resolution not great (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Landscape photography features
Panasonic FP1 Landscape photography features
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (15MP)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5")
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
doesn't have RAW files
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Vlogging features
Panasonic FP1 Vlogging features
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
wide angle not the best (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (205 grams)
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
more heavy than others in class (151 grams)
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Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FP1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD990 IS and Panasonic FP1
 Canon PowerShot SD990 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-FP1
General Information
Company Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SD990 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1
Also called as Digital IXUS 980 IS -
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Launched 2008-09-17 2010-01-06
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4416 x 3312 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 36-133mm (3.7x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.60 m 4.90 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/500 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 205g (0.45 lb) 151g (0.33 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 62 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7")
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 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price - $153