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Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX10

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
23
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX10 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
41
Overall
39

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX10 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
  • Introduced September 2008
  • Also Known as Digital IXUS 980 IS
Sony TX10
(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
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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.

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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.

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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 
AnnouncedAugust 2011September 2008Fresher by 35 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX10 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX10 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Portrait photography features
Sony TX10 Portrait photography features
37
flash sync speed is above average (1/500 seconds)
megapixel count good (15MP)
comes with face detect focus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
has no RAW files
30
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Street photography highlights
Sony TX10 Street photography highlights
54
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
has no RAW files
heavier than competitors in class (205g)
67
image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus by touch
environment proof
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Sports photography camera
Sony TX10 as a Sports photography camera
35
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
has no phase detect auto focus
44
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
environment proof
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Travel photography info
Sony TX10 Travel photography info
57
megapixel count good (15MP)
has built in flash
heavier than competitors in class (205g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
environment proof
provides focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony TX10 as a Landscape photography camera
34
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
has no RAW files
46
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
environment proof
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Vlogging camera
Sony TX10 as a Vlogging camera
27
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
wide angle not good (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
heavier than competitors in class (205 grams)
34
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone port
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Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD990 IS and Sony TX10
 Canon PowerShot SD990 ISSony 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