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Canon SD990 IS vs Sony T900

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
23
Overall
32
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900 front
Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony T900 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
  • Launched September 2008
  • Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 980 IS
Sony T900
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 143g - 98 x 58 x 16mm
  • Released February 2009
Photography Glossary

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony T900 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Canon SD990 IS versus Sony T900, both Ultracompact cameras by brands Canon and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the resolutions of the SD990 IS (15MP) and T900 (12MP) and the SD990 IS (1/1.7") and T900 (1/2.3") come with different sensor sizing.

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The SD990 IS was announced 5 months prior to the T900 and they are of a similar generation. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a concise summation of how the SD990 IS grades against the T900 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Sony T900

 SD990 IS T900 

Reasons to pick Sony T900 over the Canon SD990 IS

 T900 SD990 IS 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen dimension3.5"2.5"Bigger screen (+1")
Screen resolution922k230kSharper screen (+692k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SD990 IS and Sony T900

 SD990 IS T900 
ReleasedSeptember 2008February 2009Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony T900 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD990 IS has physical 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) whilst the Sony T900 has dimensions of 98mm x 58mm x 16mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.6") with a weight of 143 grams (0.32 lbs).

Check out the Canon SD990 IS versus Sony T900 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the SD990 IS vs the T900.

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony T900 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SD990 IS and T900 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony T900 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony T900 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizes merely by viewing a spec sheet. The image below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SD990 IS and T900.

Clearly, both of these cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SD990 IS using its bigger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Canon SD990 IS will provide you with extra detail with its extra 3MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony T900 sensor size comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony T900 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony T900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD990 IS
Portrait photography with Sony T900
37
flash sync speed is above average (1/500 seconds)
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/1.7")
doesn't have RAW support
27
manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Street photography advice
Sony T900 Street photography advice
54
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/1.7")
doesn't have RAW support
heavier than others in class (205g)
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Sports photography factors
Sony T900 Sports photography factors
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect AF
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
low max shutter speed (1/1,000 seconds)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Travel photography features
Sony T900 Travel photography features
57
MP count decent (15MP)
has built in flash
heavier than others in class (205 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
52
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Landscape photography features
Sony T900 Landscape photography features
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
manual mode not available
small sensor size (1/1.7")
doesn't have RAW support
37
manual focus
screen larger than average (3.5 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Vlogging highlights
Sony T900 Vlogging highlights
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
wide angle not the best (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external mic jack
heavier than others in class (205 grams)
28
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic jack
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Canon SD990 IS vs Sony T900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD990 IS and Sony T900
 Canon PowerShot SD990 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-T900
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SD990 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900
Also called Digital IXUS 980 IS -
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Launched 2008-09-17 2009-02-17
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 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 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4416 x 3312 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 36-133mm (3.7x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/3.5-10.0
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inch 3.5 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 2 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.60 m 2.90 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/500 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 205 gr (0.45 lbs) 143 gr (0.32 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 62 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 98 x 58 x 16mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.6")
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) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC card Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing - $300