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Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung ST30

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
23
Overall
32
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front
 
Samsung ST30 front
Portability
98
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27

Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung ST30 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
  • Introduced September 2008
  • Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 980 IS
Samsung ST30
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 0 - 0
  • 640 x 480 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • 87g - 82 x 52 x 17mm
  • Launched January 2011
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Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung ST30 Overview

Here is a detailed comparison of the Canon SD990 IS versus Samsung ST30, both Ultracompact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Samsung. There is a large difference among the resolutions of the SD990 IS (15MP) and ST30 (10MP) and the SD990 IS (1/1.7") and ST30 (1/3") have different sensor sizing.

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The SD990 IS was brought out 3 years before the ST30 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before getting straight to a full comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the SD990 IS matches up versus the ST30 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Samsung ST30

 SD990 IS ST30 

Reasons to pick Samsung ST30 over the Canon SD990 IS

 ST30 SD990 IS 
LaunchedJanuary 2011September 2008Fresher by 28 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD990 IS and Samsung ST30

 SD990 IS ST30 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung ST30 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera often, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD990 IS features outside measurements of 98mm x 62mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Samsung ST30 has dimensions of 82mm x 52mm x 17mm (3.2" x 2.0" x 0.7") having a weight of 87 grams (0.19 lbs).

See the Canon SD990 IS versus Samsung ST30 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at the time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the SD990 IS vs the ST30.

Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung ST30 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SD990 IS and ST30 is 92 and 98 respectively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung ST30 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung ST30 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizing simply by viewing a spec sheet. The photograph below may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SD990 IS and ST30.

As you can see, each of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SD990 IS due to its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Canon SD990 IS will provide you with more detail having its extra 5 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The older SD990 IS will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung ST30 sensor size comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung ST30 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung ST30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD990 IS
Portrait photography with Samsung ST30
37
flash sync is higher than normal (1/500s)
good MP (15MP)
offers face detection autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
has no RAW format
19
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD990 IS
Street photography with Samsung ST30
54
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
has no RAW format
more heavy than competition (205 grams)
54
lighter than competition in class (87g)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/3")
doesn't have RAW support
maximum ISO low (0)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Sports photography camera
Samsung ST30 as a Sports photography camera
35
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (15 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
has no phase detect autofocus
16
fixed focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
small sensor (1/3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Travel photography advice
Samsung ST30 Travel photography advice
57
good MP (15 megapixels)
built-in flash
more heavy than competition (205g)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
65
lighter than competition in class (87g)
has built in flash
fast max aperture (f)
does not have Timelapse mode
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Landscape photography advice
Samsung ST30 Landscape photography advice
34
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (15MP)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inches)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
has no RAW format
31
fast max aperture (f)
good sized screen (3")
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (()mm)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
small sensor (1/3")
maximum ISO low (0)
doesn't have RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Vlogging highlights
Samsung ST30 Vlogging highlights
27
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
no external microphone jack
more heavy than competition (205g)
29
fast max aperture (f)
lighter than competition in class (87g)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have microphone socket
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Canon SD990 IS vs Samsung ST30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD990 IS and Samsung ST30
 Canon PowerShot SD990 ISSamsung ST30
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Samsung
Model Canon PowerShot SD990 IS Samsung ST30
Also Known as Digital IXUS 980 IS -
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Introduced 2008-09-17 2011-01-19
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 4.8 x 3.6mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 17.3mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 4416 x 3312 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 -
Minimum native ISO 80 -
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 36-133mm (3.7x) ()
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.8 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 4.8 7.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 8s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.60 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/500s -
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) 640 x 480
Highest video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video file 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 205g (0.45 lb) 87g (0.19 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 62 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 82 x 52 x 17mm (3.2" x 2.0" 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 shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC card -
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost - $55