Canon SD990 IS vs Pentax P70
92 Imaging
37 Features
23 Overall
31


95 Imaging
34 Features
20 Overall
28
Canon SD990 IS vs Pentax P70 Key Specs
(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
- Launched September 2008
- Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 980 IS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 64 - 6400
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-110mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
- 155g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
- Released March 2009

Canon SD990 IS vs Pentax P70 Overview
The following is a extensive analysis of the Canon SD990 IS and Pentax P70, both Ultracompact cameras by rivals Canon and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the SD990 IS (15MP) and P70 (12MP) and the SD990 IS (1/1.7") and P70 (1/2.3") offer different sensor size.

The SD990 IS was announced 5 months earlier than the P70 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).
Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short summary of how the SD990 IS grades against the P70 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SD990 IS vs Pentax P70 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SD990 IS and Pentax Optio P70. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon SD990 IS Gallery and Pentax P70 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Pentax P70
SD990 IS | P70 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax P70 over the Canon SD990 IS
P70 | SD990 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Screen dimensions | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Common features in the Canon SD990 IS and Pentax P70
SD990 IS | P70 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | September 2008 | ![]() | March 2009 | Same generation |
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch screen |
Canon SD990 IS vs Pentax P70 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Canon SD990 IS has outside measurements 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 Pentax P70 has specifications of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") along with a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).
See the Canon SD990 IS and Pentax P70 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the SD990 IS and the P70.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SD990 IS and P70 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Pentax P70 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is difficult to picture the difference in sensor dimensions simply by looking through specifications. The picture below should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SD990 IS and P70.
To sum up, the 2 cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The SD990 IS using its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Canon SD990 IS will provide you with more detail with its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures more aggressively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Pentax P70 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Pentax P70 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS | Pentax Optio P70 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Pentax |
Model | Canon PowerShot SD990 IS | Pentax Optio P70 |
Also called as | Digital IXUS 980 IS | - |
Type | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Launched | 2008-09-17 | 2009-03-02 |
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 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Highest Possible resolution | 4416 x 3312 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 64 |
RAW pictures | ||
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 | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 36-133mm (3.7x) | 28-110mm (3.9x) |
Maximum aperture | f/2.8-5.8 | f/2.8-5.0 |
Macro focus range | 5cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 4.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.5 inch | 2.7 inch |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (tunnel) | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15s | 4s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/1000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 4.60 m | 4.60 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) | - |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/500s | - |
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) | 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (15 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone 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 | 205g (0.45 pounds) | 155g (0.34 pounds) |
Physical 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 recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/MMC card | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | - | $200 |