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Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung PL170

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
23
Overall
32
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front
 
Samsung PL170 front
Portability
99
Imaging
39
Features
20
Overall
31

Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung PL170 Key Specs

Canon SD990 IS
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-133mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 205g - 98 x 62 x 28mm
  • Released September 2008
  • Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 980 IS
Samsung PL170
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 0 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • n/ag - 95 x 57 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2011
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Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung PL170 Overview

The following is a extensive comparison of the Canon SD990 IS versus Samsung PL170, both Ultracompact digital cameras by brands Canon and Samsung. The resolution of the SD990 IS (15MP) and the PL170 (16MP) is fairly similar but the SD990 IS (1/1.7") and PL170 (1/2.3") have different sensor dimensions.

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The SD990 IS was introduced 3 years earlier than the PL170 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a simple view of how the SD990 IS grades versus the PL170 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Samsung PL170

 SD990 IS PL170 

Reasons to pick Samsung PL170 over the Canon SD990 IS

 PL170 SD990 IS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011September 2008Newer by 28 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")

Common features in the Canon SD990 IS and Samsung PL170

 SD990 IS PL170 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung PL170 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Canon SD990 IS has physical measurements of 98mm x 62mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Samsung PL170 has specifications of 95mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SD990 IS versus Samsung PL170 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have at that moment. The following is a front view size comparison of the SD990 IS vs the PL170.

Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung PL170 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD990 IS and PL170 is 92 and 99 respectively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung PL170 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung PL170 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its hard to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reading technical specs. The image here might offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SD990 IS and PL170.

As you have seen, both of the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The SD990 IS having a larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF simpler and the Samsung PL170 will offer you extra detail using its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more aged SD990 IS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung PL170 sensor size comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung PL170 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung PL170 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Portrait photography factors
Samsung PL170 Portrait photography factors
37
high flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
megapixel count good (15MP)
offers face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/1.7")
has no RAW files
30
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Street photography advice
Samsung PL170 Street photography advice
54
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/1.7")
has no RAW files
heavier than competition in class (205g)
50
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Sports photography factors
Samsung PL170 Sports photography factors
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/1.7")
has no phase detect autofocus
27
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
fixed focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Travel photography highlights
Samsung PL170 Travel photography highlights
57
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
flash built-in
heavier than competition in class (205 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (36mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
fast maximum aperture (f)
no Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung PL170 as a Landscape photography camera
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (15MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (36mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inches)
no manual control
very small sensor (1/1.7")
has no RAW files
39
fast maximum aperture (f)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
MP count decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Vlogging features
Samsung PL170 Vlogging features
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
wide angle not good (36mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
no external mic support
heavier than competition in class (205g)
27
fast maximum aperture (f)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone socket
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Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung PL170 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD990 IS and Samsung PL170
 Canon PowerShot SD990 ISSamsung PL170
General Information
Make Canon Samsung
Model Canon PowerShot SD990 IS Samsung PL170
Also called Digital IXUS 980 IS -
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Released 2008-09-17 2011-01-05
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 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 4416 x 3312 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 -
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 36-133mm (3.7x) ()
Max aperture f/2.8-5.8 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.60 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) -
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 1280 x 720
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) none
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 205 gr (0.45 lbs) -
Physical dimensions 98 x 62 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 95 x 57 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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) -
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC card -
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost - $175