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Canon SD990 IS vs Pentax Efina

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
23
Overall
32
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front
 
Pentax Efina front
Portability
97
Imaging
38
Features
26
Overall
33

Canon SD990 IS vs Pentax Efina 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
  • Announced September 2008
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 980 IS
Pentax Efina
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 91g - 87 x 54 x 21mm
  • Launched June 2013
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Canon SD990 IS vs Pentax Efina Overview

Lets look a bit more closely at the Canon SD990 IS and Pentax Efina, both Ultracompact digital cameras by brands Canon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SD990 IS (15MP) and the Efina (14MP) is relatively well matched but the SD990 IS (1/1.7") and Efina (1/2.3") use different sensor measurements.

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The SD990 IS was introduced 5 years prior to the Efina which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a concise summation of how the SD990 IS scores versus the Efina in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Pentax Efina

 SD990 IS Efina 

Reasons to pick Pentax Efina over the Canon SD990 IS

 Efina SD990 IS 
LaunchedJune 2013September 2008Newer by 57 months

Common features in the Canon SD990 IS and Pentax Efina

 SD990 IS Efina 
Manual focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.5"2.5"Identical screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Canon SD990 IS vs Pentax Efina Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD990 IS has got exterior dimensions of 98mm x 62mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Pentax Efina has dimensions of 87mm x 54mm x 21mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.8") and a weight of 91 grams (0.20 lbs).

Check out the Canon SD990 IS and Pentax Efina in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you use at that time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the SD990 IS vs the Efina.

Canon SD990 IS vs Pentax Efina size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD990 IS and Efina is 92 and 97 respectively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Pentax Efina top view buttons comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Pentax Efina Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reading through specifications. The image here will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD990 IS and Efina.

Plainly, both of those cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The SD990 IS having a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Canon SD990 IS will give you greater detail using its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SD990 IS is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon SD990 IS vs Pentax Efina sensor size comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Pentax Efina Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD990 IS vs Pentax Efina Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD990 IS
Portrait photography with Pentax Efina
37
flash sync is higher than normal (1/500 seconds)
good resolution (15MP)
offers face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/1.7")
lacks RAW support
34
MP count good (14MP)
features face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD990 IS
Street photography with Pentax Efina
54
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/1.7")
lacks RAW support
heavier than competition (205 grams)
64
built in image stabilization (Digital)
lighter than average in class (91g)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Efina as a Sports photography camera
35
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (15MP)
slow fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/1.7")
lacks phase detect AF
35
built in image stabilization (Digital)
MP count good (14MP)
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,400s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Efina as a Travel photography camera
57
good resolution (15 megapixels)
built-in flash
heavier than competition (205 grams)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than average in class (91 grams)
MP count good (14MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
missing Timelapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Landscape photography info
Pentax Efina Landscape photography info
34
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (15 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not possible
small sensor (1/1.7")
lacks RAW support
38
fairly wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Digital)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.5")
manual mode not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Vlogging features
Pentax Efina Vlogging features
27
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
wide angle not great (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
no external mic support
heavier than competition (205g)
33
fairly wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Digital)
features face detection autofocus
lighter than average in class (91g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone socket
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Canon SD990 IS vs Pentax Efina Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD990 IS and Pentax Efina
 Canon PowerShot SD990 ISPentax Efina
General Information
Brand Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SD990 IS Pentax Efina
Alternate name Digital IXUS 980 IS -
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Announced 2008-09-17 2013-06-03
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4416 x 3312 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 36-133mm (3.7x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/3.5-6.3
Macro focusing range 5cm 20cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - QVGA TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 1/8s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1400s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.60 m 4.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/500s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 1280 x 720, 640 x 480
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 205 gr (0.45 pounds) 91 gr (0.20 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 62 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 87 x 54 x 21mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-5L D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC card SC/SDHC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch - $10