Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX100V: A Deep Dive into Ultracompact Cameras for the Discerning Photographer

Ultracompact cameras occupy a special place in the heart of every photography enthusiast who cherishes portability without sacrificing image quality. Among the sea of models released over the past decade, the Canon PowerShot SD990 IS and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX100V stand out as compelling options, each reflecting the best technology and design philosophies of their respective eras. As someone who has spent over 15 years rigorously testing cameras - from full-frame beasts to pocket-sized shooters - I’ve had the privilege to extensively handle both these ultracompacts. Today, I’ll walk you through an authoritative comparison that pulls no punches, focusing on real-world performance, technical detail, and practical recommendations tailored to specific shooting styles and budgets.

Before we jump in, here is a side-by-side visual of their physical size and ergonomics, which often tells its own story about a camera’s handling and user experience.

Getting to Know the Contenders: Canon SD990 IS and Sony TX100V at a Glance

Canon SD990 IS arrived on the scene in the fall of 2008. It channels Canon’s legacy for color science and optical precision into a sleek ultracompact body, offering a slightly longer telephoto reach and a classic CCD sensor. Canon dubbed it the Digital IXUS 980 IS in some markets, echoing its strategic positioning for travel and casual photography.

The Sony TX100V, launched in early 2011, showcases cutting-edge (for its time) sensor technology and multimedia prowess, with features like an OLED touchscreen and Full HD video capture, thanks to Sony’s famed BIONZ imaging processor. It is noticeably thinner and lighter, representing the growing ethos of portable tech merged with smart capabilities.

To orient ourselves, here’s the top view layout comparison revealing the controls and design ergonomics that influence usability in the field.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: CCD Meets BSI-CMOS

The heart of any camera’s imaging potential lies in its sensor design and implementation. Here, the former generations meet a transitional period in sensor tech.

• Canon SD990 IS packs a 1/1.7" CCD sensor with a 15-megapixel resolution and a sensor area of approximately 41.52 mm². CCD sensors, while historically favored for their color rendition and low noise at base ISOs, have largely been supplanted by CMOS sensors due to their efficiency and speed.

• Sony TX100V features a smaller 1/2.3" backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor at 16 megapixels and roughly 28.07 mm² sensor area - significantly smaller in surface but benefiting from BSI technology that enhances light gathering efficiency, particularly in low light.

Here’s a visual comparison of their sensor sizes and how that affects image quality potential:

What Does This Mean Practically?

• Dynamic Range and Noise: Though the Canon’s sensor is larger, the CCD tech limits its ISO range - max native ISO is 1600, and noise begins creeping in much earlier. The Sony’s sensor, despite being physically smaller, sustains better high ISO performance and extends native ISO to 3200, thanks to BSI design and more efficient on-chip circuitry.

• Resolution & Detail: Sony's slight edge in megapixels (16 vs 15) is negligible here; what counts more is the lens quality and processing pipelines. Both cameras apply anti-aliasing filters, which moderate moiré but soften minute detail slightly.

• Color Rendition: Canon's CCD sensor delivers warm, natural skin tones, something I noticed immediately during portrait shoots. Sony’s CMOS sensor tendencies lean slightly cooler but remain pleasingly accurate, especially for landscape color fidelity.

Bottom line: Sony gains in low light and high ISO usability, while Canon rewards you with classic color depth and a subtly richer tonal palette at base ISO.

Lenses and Aperture Range: Flexibility in Composition

• Canon SD990 IS sports a 36–133 mm (35mm equivalent) 3.7x zoom lens with a brightish aperture range from f/2.8 to f/5.8. This longer telephoto reach is handy for moderate zoom situations but comes with a loss in brightness at the long end.

• Sony TX100V features a wider 25–100 mm (4x) zoom but with apertures from f/3.5 to f/4.6. While not as “bright” on the wide end, its wide-angle gives a bit more room for landscapes and tight indoor shooting.

Neither camera offers manual focus, which can frustrate macro or selective focus enthusiasts, but their optical image stabilization helps mitigate camera shake during zoom or longer exposures.

This illustration gives a quick sense of control and interface relating to zoom and focus handling:

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Responsiveness in Action

Autofocus operation is paramount for capturing candid moments, wildlife, or sports.

• Canon’s SD990 IS offers single-shot autofocus only, with contrast detection and face detection assistance. It lacks continuous autofocus and tracking modes. The AF speed is modest and can lag in low-light or complex scenes. Burst mode maxes out at 1 fps - just enough for very casual action capture.

• Sony’s TX100V improves with nine AF points (vs. Canon’s few unspecified points), contrast detection AF, and touch AF on its OLED screen. Though no continuous tracking autofocus is present, burst shooting speeds jump to 10 fps - dramatically increasing your chance to nail fleeting moments.

In real-world use, the TX100V’s faster burst mode and touch AF combine to give you much more flexibility, especially for street and casual sports photography.

Build Quality and Handling: Which Feels Better in Your Hands?

While both cameras proudly wear the ultracompact badge, Sony’s long-standing love affair with sleek, minimalist design shines.

Here’s a side-by-side of their physical dimensions and weights:

Sony is appreciably slimmer and lighter, making it easier for prolonged street or travel photography use without fatigue.

Our expert reviewers also measured button feedback and control placement, summarized here in a graphic:

Canon’s optical tunnel viewfinder is a rare feature in ultracompacts and appeals to traditionalists, but its lack of resolution and limited coverage mean many users rely solely on the rear display.

Sony omits a viewfinder, placing all focus on the gorgeous 3.5" OLED touchscreen with TruBlack technology - a joy in bright outdoor conditions.

Display and Interface: Touchscreen or Not?

Perhaps one of the starkest differences is Sony’s embrace of a 3.5"-inch, 1229k-dot XtraFine OLED touchscreen, compared to Canon’s 2.5-inch, 230k-dot fixed display with no touchscreen.

The Sony screen offers:

• Deep blacks and vivid color thanks to OLED tech

• Intuitive tapping for focus and settings navigation

• Portrait mode convenience (software-enabled)

Canon’s smaller, lower-res screen can feel cramped and less responsive, impacting composition and menu navigation. However, some photographers prefer physical buttons over touch interfaces to avoid accidental taps.

Video Capabilities: Casual Clips or Serious Shoots?

Streaming video has become an essential feature even in compact cameras.

• The Canon SD990 IS supports 640 x 480 VGA video at 30 fps, encoded in Motion JPEG - standard for its era but limited in resolution and quality.

• The Sony TX100V significantly steps up with 1920 x 1080 Full HD at 60 fps and multiple additional resolutions, utilizing MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats. This provides smoother, more detailed footage suitable for casual video projects.

Sony also offers an HDMI port for direct output, and while both lack external mic inputs, Sony’s higher video specs are a win for hybrid shooters seeking stills and videos in one package.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity

Neither camera excels spectacularly here but let’s break it down:

• Canon SD990 IS uses the NB-5L battery, supports SD/SDHC/Multimedia cards, and connects via USB 2.0 only. Wireless features are non-existent.

• Sony TX100V runs on the NP-BN1 battery, supports a slightly wider range of media including SD/SDHC/SDXC and Sony’s Memory Stick lines, plus incorporates built-in GPS for geotagging (a nice bonus). It offers Eye-Fi card compatibility, enabling some wireless image transfer functionality, plus HDMI output.

For travelers and outdoor shooters, Sony’s GPS and wireless capacity can add significant value.

How Do They Perform Across Different Photography Genres?

The true test is how these cameras behave in the field, across the varied needs of photography disciplines:

Portrait Photography

• Canon SD990 IS: Delivers pleasing skin tones due to CCD color science and face detection AF, albeit limited to center-weighted metering and single AF point. The longer telephoto is positive for headshots, though the smaller screen sometimes hampers precise framing.

• Sony TX100V: Slightly cooler tones but more detail nuance in portraits. Touch AF aids eye selection, but lack of face detection can make focusing more laborious. Overall, the sharper, wider screen and higher resolution sensor give Sony the edge.

Winner: Canon for color, Sony for detail and interface.

Landscape Photography

• Dynamic range and resolution matter - Canon edges out slightly with bigger sensor area, but Sony still fares well.

• Canon’s longer zoom helps pull distant subjects, but Sony’s sharper lens and higher megapixels aid fine detail capture.

• Neither camera is weather sealed, but Sony’s lighter weight facilitates hiking.

Winner: Tie, leaning to Canon if you prioritize colors and zoom, or Sony for portability.

Wildlife and Sports

• Focus speed and burst mode are crucial here.

• Sony’s 10 fps burst rate and more sophisticated AF system clearly outperform Canon’s 1 fps with basic AF.

• Canon’s longer telephoto is a plus, but in action, agility beats reach in such ultracompacts.

Winner: Sony, hands down.

Street Photography

• Small size, discretion, and speed matter.

• Sony’s thinner profile and silent, fast touchscreen AF feel more discreet and flexible.

• Canon’s optical viewfinder might appeal to some, but limited AF speed restricts candid capture.

Winner: Sony.

Macro Photography

• Canon’s 5cm minimum focusing distance is explicit macro-capable.

• Sony does not specify macro focus range, limiting close-up abilities.

• No manual focus on either, so fine adjustments are limited.

Winner: Canon for explicit macro performance.

Night and Astro Photography

• Higher ISO performance is key.

• Sony’s higher max ISO (3200) and BSI sensor support clearer low light shots with less noise.

• Canon max ISO 1600 and CCD sensor noise limits carving out detailed astro shots.

Winner: Sony.

Video and Hybrid Use

• Sony’s Full HD 60fps and broader codec support is superior.

• Canon’s VGA video is minimal.

Winner: Sony.

Travel Photography

• Sony’s lighter, thinner build, built-in GPS, better screen, and longer battery life (estimated) make it ideal for travelers.

• Canon’s longer zoom gives some versatility but weighs more and has less connectivity.

Winner: Sony.

Professional Use

• Neither is a professional tool, but for casual use or backup, Sony’s better image quality, video, and metadata (GPS) integration provide better workflow speed.

Winner: Sony.

Summarizing Their Strengths and Weaknesses

This performance summary is reflected in the overall performance ratings our team assigned:

Who Should Buy the Canon SD990 IS?

If you prize warm, faithful color rendition in portraits, enjoy a slightly longer zoom range, and prefer an optical viewfinder, the Canon SD990 IS still holds its charm. Ideal for general-purpose casual photographers and older enthusiasts looking for a pocketable camera that shoots decent macros and portraits without fuss.

Its drawbacks in speed, video, and connectivity might discourage tech-forward users, but if the tactile camera experience and subtle color science are more important, this remains a strong contender.

Who Should Consider the Sony TX100V?

For photographers craving ultracompact convenience without compromise on modern features, the Sony TX100V is a more future-proof choice. It blends detailed image quality, very good low light capabilities, advanced video, and user-friendly touch controls, tailored for travel, street, wildlife, sports, and hybrid shooters.

If your workflow benefits from GPS geotagging and quick wireless transfer, or you value streaming Full HD video as a serious creative outlet, Sony’s offering clearly outpaces Canon’s.

Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Ultracompact for You

The Canon SD990 IS and Sony TX100V define distinct eras and priorities in ultracompact camera design. One flattering color and comfort, the other embracing speed, connectivity, and digital finesse.

For anyone reading this who wants a solid compact for varied photography without maneuvering heavy gear - especially if video or mobility is important - Sony’s TX100V earns my strong recommendation.

If, however, you are nostalgic for CCD color science or prioritize telephoto reach and macro capabilities in a straightforward interface, Canon’s SD990 IS still shines as a reliable everyday companion.

Here is a gallery highlighting sample images shot with both cameras, illustrating the differences in color, lens characteristics, and low light handling:

Canon SD990 IS front Canon SD990 IS screen back Sony TX100V screen back

Remember, ultracompacts serve very different purposes compared to interchangeable lens systems. Their charm is in pocketability and convenience, not DSLR or mirrorless-level performance. Within this scope, the Sony TX100V offers a more versatile, modern tool, while the Canon SD990 IS is a nostalgic classic with its particular strengths.

If you have specific photographic interests - say macro flower photography or nighttime cityscapes - and want tailored advice on how these cameras stack up for your unique style, feel free to ask. My methodology involves hands-on tests, side-by-side shooting scenarios, and extensive image analysis, ensuring recommendations go beyond spec sheets and into practical, user-centered insights.

Choosing a camera isn’t just about headlines; it’s about what it enables you to create, how it fits your hands, and how it adapts to your shooting rhythm. In my experience, the right ultracompact can rekindle photographic joy by being there - always ready - in your pocket.

Happy shooting!

Article images inserted at contextually relevant points as per editorial guidelines.