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Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FP3

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
23
Overall
32
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
25
Overall
32

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FP3 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
  • Announced September 2008
  • Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 980 IS
Panasonic FP3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 155g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Released January 2010
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Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FP3 Overview

Below is a thorough assessment of the Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FP3, both Ultracompact cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SD990 IS (15MP) and the FP3 (14MP) is fairly comparable but the SD990 IS (1/1.7") and FP3 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The SD990 IS was unveiled 15 months prior to the FP3 making them a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a concise summation of how the SD990 IS scores vs the FP3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Panasonic FP3

 SD990 IS FP3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP3 over the Canon SD990 IS

 FP3 SD990 IS 
ReleasedJanuary 2010September 2008More recent by 15 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon SD990 IS and Panasonic FP3

 SD990 IS FP3 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FP3 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD990 IS offers physical measurements of 98mm x 62mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Panasonic FP3 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") with a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).

Look at the Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FP3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the SD990 IS compared to the FP3.

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FP3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SD990 IS and FP3 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FP3 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FP3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to envision the gap in sensor measurements merely by checking out technical specs. The visual underneath will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SD990 IS and FP3.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The SD990 IS having a larger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Canon SD990 IS will provide greater detail having an extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older SD990 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FP3 sensor size comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FP3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FP3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD990 IS
Portrait photography with Panasonic FP3
37
great flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
good megapixels (15MP)
has face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
has no RAW files
28
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD990 IS
Street photography with Panasonic FP3
54
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
has no RAW files
heavier than average in class (205g)
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch focus
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
heavier than competitors (155 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD990 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic FP3
35
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (15MP)
slow fps (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
has no phase detect autofocus
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
max fps low (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Travel photography details
Panasonic FP3 Travel photography details
57
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
built-in flash
heavier than average in class (205 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
60
includes touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors (155g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD990 IS
Landscape photography with Panasonic FP3
34
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (15MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inches)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
has no RAW files
37
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Vlogging details
Panasonic FP3 Vlogging details
27
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
wide angle not great (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
no mic port
heavier than average in class (205g)
27
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic support
heavier than competitors (155g)
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Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FP3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD990 IS and Panasonic FP3
 Canon PowerShot SD990 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-FP3
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SD990 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3
Alternate name Digital IXUS 980 IS -
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Announced 2008-09-17 2010-01-06
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4416 x 3312 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 36-133mm (3.7x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.60 m 4.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/500 secs -
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 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 grams (0.45 pounds) 155 grams (0.34 pounds)
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 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 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch - $182