Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX10
92 Imaging
37 Features
23 Overall
31


96 Imaging
39 Features
41 Overall
39
Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX10 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced September 2008
- Also Known as Digital IXUS 980 IS
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-100mm (F3.5-4.6) lens
- 133g - 96 x 56 x 18mm
- Announced August 2011

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX10 Overview
Let's look more closely at the Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX10, both Ultracompact digital cameras by brands Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SD990 IS (15MP) and the TX10 (16MP) is relatively well matched but the SD990 IS (1/1.7") and TX10 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor sizes.

The SD990 IS was revealed 3 years prior to the TX10 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Ultracompact).
Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the SD990 IS matches up vs the TX10 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX10 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SD990 IS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX10. The full galleries are provided at Canon SD990 IS Gallery and Sony TX10 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Sony TX10
SD990 IS | TX10 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony TX10 over the Canon SD990 IS
TX10 | SD990 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | August 2011 | ![]() | September 2008 | Fresher by 35 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+691k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Canon SD990 IS and Sony TX10
SD990 IS | TX10 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen |
Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX10 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to carry your camera often, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SD990 IS enjoys physical dimensions 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 Sony TX10 has measurements of 96mm x 56mm x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).
Check out the Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX10 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the SD990 IS against the TX10.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD990 IS and TX10 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX10 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is very hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizing just by looking at specifications. The visual below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SD990 IS and TX10.
To sum up, each of these cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SD990 IS with its bigger sensor will make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Sony TX10 will give more detail because of its extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs more aggressively. The older SD990 IS is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX10 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX10 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX10 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Sony |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SD990 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX10 |
Alternative name | Digital IXUS 980 IS | - |
Class | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Introduced | 2008-09-17 | 2011-08-16 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | BIONZ |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
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 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4416 x 3312 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 125 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 36-133mm (3.7x) | 25-100mm (4.0x) |
Max aperture | f/2.8-5.8 | f/3.5-4.6 |
Macro focusing distance | 5cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 4.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 2.5 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dot | 921 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen tech | - | XtraFine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (tunnel) | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 2 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.60 m | 3.70 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/500 secs | - |
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) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 205g (0.45 lb) | 133g (0.29 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 98 x 62 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 96 x 56 x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 | NP-BN1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/MMC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Price at launch | - | $309 |