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Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FS15

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
23
Overall
32
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FS15 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
  • Also referred to as Digital IXUS 980 IS
Panasonic FS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 29-145mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2009
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Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FS15 Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Canon SD990 IS and Panasonic FS15, both Ultracompact cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the SD990 IS (15MP) and FS15 (12MP) and the SD990 IS (1/1.7") and FS15 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor sizing.

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The SD990 IS was introduced 4 months before the FS15 and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before going in to a full comparison, below is a concise view of how the SD990 IS scores against the FS15 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Panasonic FS15

 SD990 IS FS15 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Canon SD990 IS

 FS15 SD990 IS 
Display sizing2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SD990 IS and Panasonic FS15

 SD990 IS FS15 
AnnouncedSeptember 2008January 2009Same generation
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FS15 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD990 IS has outside dimensions 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 Panasonic FS15 has dimensions of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SD990 IS and Panasonic FS15 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the SD990 IS against the FS15.

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FS15 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD990 IS and FS15 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FS15 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FS15 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizes simply by going through specifications. The picture below should offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD990 IS and FS15.

Plainly, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SD990 IS having a larger sensor will make getting shallow DOF simpler and the Canon SD990 IS will provide greater detail using its extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images far more aggressively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FS15 sensor size comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Portrait photography info
Panasonic FS15 Portrait photography info
37
above average flash sync (1/500 seconds)
resolution is good (15MP)
includes face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
no RAW files
21
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor 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 FS15
54
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
no RAW files
heavier than competition in class (205 grams)
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Sports photography features
Panasonic FS15 Sports photography features
35
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (15MP)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
no phase detect AF
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor 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 Travel photography details
Panasonic FS15 Travel photography details
57
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
built-in flash
heavier than competition in class (205g)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD990 IS
Landscape photography with Panasonic FS15
34
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (15MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
no RAW files
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual mode not possible
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FS15 as a Vlogging camera
27
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
wide angle not good (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
heavier than competition in class (205 grams)
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of microphone jack
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Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD990 IS and Panasonic FS15
 Canon PowerShot SD990 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-FS15
General Information
Brand Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SD990 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15
Also Known as Digital IXUS 980 IS -
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Launched 2008-09-17 2009-01-16
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
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 surface area 41.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4416 x 3312 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 36-133mm (3.7x) 29-145mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.60 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/500 seconds -
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) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 205g (0.45 lb) 136g (0.30 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 62 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9")
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 model NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release - $180