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Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung CL5

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
23
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front
 
Samsung CL5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
32
Features
14
Overall
24

Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung CL5 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
  • Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 980 IS
Samsung CL5
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-114mm (F3.5-4.5) lens
  • 141g - 93 x 60 x 19mm
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Other Name is PL10
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Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung CL5 Overview

Below, we are comparing the Canon SD990 IS versus Samsung CL5, both Ultracompact cameras by rivals Canon and Samsung. There is a noticeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the SD990 IS (15MP) and CL5 (9MP) and the SD990 IS (1/1.7") and CL5 (1/2.5") possess different sensor dimensions.

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The SD990 IS was announced 5 months earlier than the CL5 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise summary of how the SD990 IS grades vs the CL5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Samsung CL5

 SD990 IS CL5 

Reasons to pick Samsung CL5 over the Canon SD990 IS

 CL5 SD990 IS 
Display dimension2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SD990 IS and Samsung CL5

 SD990 IS CL5 
RevealedSeptember 2008February 2009Same age
Focus manually No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung CL5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera, you should factor its weight and size. The Canon SD990 IS comes with outside measurements of 98mm x 62mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Samsung CL5 has specifications of 93mm x 60mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.7") having a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs).

Compare the Canon SD990 IS versus Samsung CL5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the SD990 IS and the CL5.

Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung CL5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SD990 IS and CL5 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung CL5 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung CL5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to visualize the difference in sensor measurements simply by going through specifications. The photograph below will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SD990 IS and CL5.

Plainly, the 2 cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SD990 IS using its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field simpler and the Canon SD990 IS will produce more detail with its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos somewhat more aggressively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung CL5 sensor size comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung CL5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung CL5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Portrait photography advice
Samsung CL5 Portrait photography advice
37
above average flash sync (1/500 seconds)
MP count decent (15MP)
supports face detect focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
lack of RAW files
24
features face detection focusing
no manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (9 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Street photography details
Samsung CL5 Street photography details
54
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
lack of RAW files
heavier than competitors (205g)
47
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Sports photography details
Samsung CL5 Sports photography details
35
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (15MP)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect AF
16
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (9 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Travel photography advice
Samsung CL5 Travel photography advice
57
MP count decent (15MP)
built-in flash
heavier than competitors (205g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (9 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD990 IS
Landscape photography with Samsung CL5
34
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (15MP)
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
lack of RAW files
22
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (9MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Vlogging information
Samsung CL5 Vlogging information
27
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
missing mic jack
heavier than competitors (205 grams)
25
features face detection focusing
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung CL5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD990 IS and Samsung CL5
 Canon PowerShot SD990 ISSamsung CL5
General Information
Make Canon Samsung
Model type Canon PowerShot SD990 IS Samsung CL5
Also called Digital IXUS 980 IS PL10
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Announced 2008-09-17 2009-02-23
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 area 41.5mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 9 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Peak resolution 4416 x 3312 3456 x 2592
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 36-133mm (3.7x) 38-114mm (3.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/3.5-4.5
Macro focusing distance 5cm 5cm
Crop factor 4.8 6.3
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 16s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.60 m 4.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red eye fix
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 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) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 205 grams (0.45 pounds) 141 grams (0.31 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 62 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 93 x 60 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.7")
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 (10 sec, 2 sec, Double, Motion Timer)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC card SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus, internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at release - $391