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Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX20

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
23
Overall
32
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX20 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
  • Released September 2008
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 980 IS
Sony TX20
(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
  • Released February 2012
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Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX20 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX20, both Ultracompact cameras by rivals Canon and Sony. The resolution of the SD990 IS (15MP) and the TX20 (16MP) is relatively comparable but the SD990 IS (1/1.7") and TX20 (1/2.3") possess different sensor sizes.

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The SD990 IS was manufactured 4 years before the TX20 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before getting through a more detailed comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the SD990 IS grades against the TX20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Sony TX20

 SD990 IS TX20 

Reasons to pick Sony TX20 over the Canon SD990 IS

 TX20 SD990 IS 
ReleasedFebruary 2012September 2008Fresher by 41 months
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SD990 IS and Sony TX20

 SD990 IS TX20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX20 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera often, you should factor its weight and volume. The Canon SD990 IS has got physical dimensions of 98mm x 62mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Sony TX20 has sizing of 96mm x 56mm x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Compare the Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX20 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the SD990 IS versus the TX20.

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX20 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD990 IS and TX20 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX20 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizing purely by seeing a spec sheet. The visual underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD990 IS and TX20.

Clearly, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SD990 IS due to its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF easier and the Sony TX20 will produce extra detail due to its extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The older SD990 IS will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX20 sensor size comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Portrait photography information
Sony TX20 Portrait photography information
37
flash sync is higher than normal (1/500s)
decent MP (15 megapixels)
includes face detection autofocus
no manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
has no RAW format
40
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
includes face detect autofocus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Street photography camera
Sony TX20 as a Street photography camera
54
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
has no RAW format
heavier than competition (205 grams)
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus via touch
environment proof
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Sports photography advice
Sony TX20 Sports photography advice
35
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (15MP)
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
has no phase detect autofocus
50
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
better than average battery (250 shots)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Travel photography info
Sony TX20 Travel photography info
57
decent MP (15 megapixels)
flash built-in
heavier than competition (205g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (36mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
72
better than average battery (250 shots)
environment proof
provides focus via touch
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony TX20 as a Landscape photography camera
34
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (15MP)
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inch)
no manual control
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
has no RAW format
52
manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
environment proof
better than average battery (250 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Vlogging camera
Sony TX20 as a Vlogging camera
27
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
wide angle not the best (36mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external mic port
heavier than competition (205 grams)
35
quite wide (25mm)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic jack
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Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD990 IS and Sony TX20
 Canon PowerShot SD990 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SD990 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
Alternate name Digital IXUS 980 IS -
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Released 2008-09-17 2012-02-28
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4416 x 3312 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 36-133mm (3.7x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/3.5-4.6
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.60 m 3.70 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum 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 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 205g (0.45 pounds) 133g (0.29 pounds)
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 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 life - 250 pictures
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price - $330