Clicky

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX5

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
23
Overall
32
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX5 front
Portability
96
Imaging
33
Features
33
Overall
33

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX5 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
  • Introduced September 2008
  • Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 980 IS
Sony TX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 148g - 94 x 57 x 18mm
  • Introduced February 2010
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX5 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Canon SD990 IS versus Sony TX5, both Ultracompact digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the SD990 IS (15MP) and TX5 (10MP) and the SD990 IS (1/1.7") and TX5 (1/2.4") possess different sensor size.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The SD990 IS was introduced 17 months before the TX5 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summation of how the SD990 IS grades versus the TX5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Sony TX5

 SD990 IS TX5 

Reasons to pick Sony TX5 over the Canon SD990 IS

 TX5 SD990 IS 
IntroducedFebruary 2010September 2008Newer by 17 months
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon SD990 IS and Sony TX5

 SD990 IS TX5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX5 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD990 IS features outer dimensions of 98mm x 62mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Sony TX5 has dimensions of 94mm x 57mm x 18mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 148 grams (0.33 lbs).

Check the Canon SD990 IS versus Sony TX5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select during that time. Below is the front view size comparison of the SD990 IS and the TX5.

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SD990 IS and TX5 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX5 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to picture the gap between sensor dimensions merely by reading through technical specs. The picture below should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SD990 IS and TX5.

As you have seen, both of the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The SD990 IS with its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Canon SD990 IS will give more detail using its extra 5 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures much more aggressively. The more aged SD990 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX5 sensor size comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD990 IS
Portrait photography with Sony TX5
37
above average flash sync (1/500 seconds)
megapixel count good (15MP)
offers face detect autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
no RAW format
26
manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.4")
does not have RAW files
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Street photography features
Sony TX5 Street photography features
54
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
no RAW format
heavier than competition in class (205g)
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides touch to focus
weather sealing
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.4")
does not have RAW files
heavier than average in class (148 grams)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Sports photography features
Sony TX5 Sports photography features
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
no phase detect autofocus
33
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
no shutter priority
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.4")
does not have phase detect AF
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Travel photography features
Sony TX5 Travel photography features
57
megapixel count good (15MP)
built-in flash
heavier than competition in class (205 grams)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
62
weather sealing
provides touch to focus
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than average in class (148 grams)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Landscape photography advice
Sony TX5 Landscape photography advice
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (15MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5")
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
no RAW format
43
manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.4")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Vlogging highlights
Sony TX5 Vlogging highlights
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
wide angle not great (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
missing mic support
heavier than competition in class (205g)
30
relatively wide (25mm)
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic support
heavier than average in class (148 grams)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony TX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD990 IS and Sony TX5
 Canon PowerShot SD990 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-TX5
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SD990 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX5
Also Known as Digital IXUS 980 IS -
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Introduced 2008-09-17 2010-02-18
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.4"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4416 x 3312 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 9
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/3.5-6.3
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.60 m 2.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/500 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 205 gr (0.45 pounds) 148 gr (0.33 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 62 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 94 x 57 x 18mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 sec or 10 sec, portrait1/ portrait2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/ Pro HG-Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release - $239