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Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W510

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
23
Overall
32
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W510 front
Portability
96
Imaging
36
Features
17
Overall
28

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W510 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
  • Released September 2008
  • Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 980 IS
Sony W510
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 119g - 96 x 54 x 20mm
  • Introduced January 2011
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Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W510 Overview

The following is a thorough review of the Canon SD990 IS versus Sony W510, both Ultracompact cameras by companies Canon and Sony. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the SD990 IS (15MP) and W510 (12MP) and the SD990 IS (1/1.7") and W510 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor sizes.

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The SD990 IS was brought out 3 years prior to the W510 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the SD990 IS grades against the W510 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Sony W510

 SD990 IS W510 

Reasons to pick Sony W510 over the Canon SD990 IS

 W510 SD990 IS 
IntroducedJanuary 2011September 2008Newer by 28 months
Display sizing2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SD990 IS and Sony W510

 SD990 IS W510 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W510 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD990 IS offers external dimensions of 98mm x 62mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Sony W510 has dimensions of 96mm x 54mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.8") having a weight of 119 grams (0.26 lbs).

Check out the Canon SD990 IS versus Sony W510 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at the time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the SD990 IS compared to the W510.

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W510 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD990 IS and W510 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W510 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W510 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions only by seeing a spec sheet. The picture underneath may give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD990 IS and W510.

As you can see, the two cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The SD990 IS because of its larger sensor will make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Canon SD990 IS will provide greater detail having its extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged SD990 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W510 sensor size comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W510 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W510 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Portrait photography information
Sony W510 Portrait photography information
37
above average flash sync speed (1/500s)
MP count good (15 megapixels)
has face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
has no RAW format
21
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD990 IS
Street photography with Sony W510
54
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
has no RAW format
more heavy than competition (205g)
57
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Sports photography info
Sony W510 Sports photography info
35
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (15MP)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
has no phase detect autofocus
26
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD990 IS
Travel photography with Sony W510
57
MP count good (15MP)
built-in flash
more heavy than competition (205 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
58
flash built-in
pretty wide (26mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low MP (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Landscape photography highlights
Sony W510 Landscape photography highlights
34
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (15 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
has no RAW format
33
pretty wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SD990 IS
Vlogging with Sony W510
27
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of microphone port
more heavy than competition (205 grams)
29
pretty wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external mic support
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Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W510 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD990 IS and Sony W510
 Canon PowerShot SD990 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-W510
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SD990 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W510
Also called as Digital IXUS 980 IS -
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Released 2008-09-17 2011-01-06
Physical type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 15 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4416 x 3312 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 36-133mm (3.7x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus distance 5cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.60 m 2.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 205 gr (0.45 pounds) 119 gr (0.26 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 62 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 96 x 54 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.8")
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 model NB-5L NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch price - $99