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Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FS42

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
23
Overall
32
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FS42 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
  • Introduced September 2008
  • Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 980 IS
Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Raise to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Launched April 2009
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Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FS42 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Canon SD990 IS and Panasonic FS42, both Ultracompact digital cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference between the image resolutions of the SD990 IS (15MP) and FS42 (10MP) and the SD990 IS (1/1.7") and FS42 (1/2.5") offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The SD990 IS was released 7 months prior to the FS42 so they are of a similar generation. Both cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short overview of how the SD990 IS scores versus the FS42 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Panasonic FS42

 SD990 IS FS42 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Canon SD990 IS

 FS42 SD990 IS 
LaunchedApril 2009September 2008Newer by 7 months

Common features in the Canon SD990 IS and Panasonic FS42

 SD990 IS FS42 
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.5"2.5"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FS42 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon SD990 IS provides exterior measurements 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 FS42 has proportions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

Look at the Canon SD990 IS and Panasonic FS42 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the SD990 IS versus the FS42.

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FS42 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SD990 IS and FS42 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FS42 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FS42 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to envision the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reading technical specs. The picture below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SD990 IS and FS42.

As you can tell, both of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The SD990 IS because of its bigger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Canon SD990 IS will offer you more detail as a result of its extra 5MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots more aggressively. The more aged SD990 IS is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FS42 sensor size comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FS42 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Portrait photography info
Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography info
37
great flash sync speed (1/500s)
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
has no RAW files
19
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Street photography highlights
Panasonic FS42 Street photography highlights
54
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
has no RAW files
more heavy than competition in class (205 grams)
47
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
does not have RAW support
max ISO too low (1,000)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Sports photography factors
Panasonic FS42 Sports photography factors
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
has no phase detect AF
16
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD990 IS
Travel photography with Panasonic FS42
57
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
more heavy than competition in class (205g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Landscape photography advice
Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography advice
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (15MP)
manual focus not available
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5")
lack of manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
has no RAW files
22
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5")
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
max ISO too low (1,000)
does not have RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Vlogging advice
Panasonic FS42 Vlogging advice
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of microphone socket
more heavy than competition in class (205g)
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
missing microphone jack
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Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FS42 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD990 IS and Panasonic FS42
 Canon PowerShot SD990 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SD990 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42
Also referred to as Digital IXUS 980 IS -
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Introduced 2008-09-17 2009-04-17
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.5"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4416 x 3312 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 1000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 36-133mm (3.7x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 4.8 6.3
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inches 2.5 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.60 m 6.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/500s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 file 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 205 gr (0.45 lbs) 132 gr (0.29 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 62 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at release - $580