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Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FX90

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
23
Overall
32
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90 front
Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
34
Overall
35

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FX90 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
  • Revealed September 2008
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 980 IS
Panasonic FX90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
  • 149g - 102 x 56 x 22mm
  • Launched August 2011
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Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FX90 Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FX90, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. There exists a crucial gap between the sensor resolutions of the SD990 IS (15MP) and FX90 (12MP) and the SD990 IS (1/1.7") and FX90 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The SD990 IS was manufactured 3 years before the FX90 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Canon SD990 IS being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic FX90 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the SD990 IS matches up against the FX90 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Panasonic FX90

 SD990 IS FX90 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX90 over the Canon SD990 IS

 FX90 SD990 IS 
LaunchedAugust 2011September 2008Newer by 35 months
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SD990 IS and Panasonic FX90

 SD990 IS FX90 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FX90 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Canon SD990 IS features external dimensions of 98mm x 62mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FX90 has specifications of 102mm x 56mm x 22mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 149 grams (0.33 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FX90 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is the front view size comparison of the SD990 IS compared to the FX90.

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FX90 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD990 IS and FX90 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FX90 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FX90 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reading through technical specs. The image here should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD990 IS and FX90.

As you can tell, both the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The SD990 IS due to its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Canon SD990 IS will give you more detail due to its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SD990 IS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FX90 sensor size comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FX90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FX90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD990 IS
Portrait photography with Panasonic FX90
37
great flash sync speed (1/500s)
decent MP (15MP)
features face detect focus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/1.7")
doesn't have RAW files
21
no manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Street photography factors
Panasonic FX90 Street photography factors
54
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/1.7")
doesn't have RAW files
more heavy than average in class (205 grams)
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
features focus by touch
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD990 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic FX90
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (15 megapixels)
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
30
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (4.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery pack (200 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD990 IS
Travel photography with Panasonic FX90
57
decent MP (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
more heavy than average in class (205g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
60
features focus by touch
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
no Timelapse mode
low battery pack (200 per charge)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FX90 as a Landscape photography camera
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (15 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
manual mode not possible
small sensor (1/1.7")
doesn't have RAW files
36
fairly wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.5)
manual mode not available
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
low battery pack (200 per charge)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Vlogging details
Panasonic FX90 Vlogging details
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
wide angle not great (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have microphone socket
more heavy than average in class (205 grams)
34
fairly wide (24mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f2.5)
display is not selfie friendly
no microphone jack
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Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic FX90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD990 IS and Panasonic FX90
 Canon PowerShot SD990 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-FX90
General Information
Company Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SD990 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90
Also called as Digital IXUS 980 IS -
Class Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2008-09-17 2011-08-26
Body design Ultracompact Compact
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 area 41.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4416 x 3312 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 36-133mm (3.7x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/2.5-5.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.60 m 5.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 205 gr (0.45 pounds) 149 gr (0.33 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 62 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 102 x 56 x 22mm (4.0" 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 life - 200 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
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 One One
Retail price - $227