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Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W530

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
23
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W530 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
21
Overall
30

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W530 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
  • Revealed September 2008
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 980 IS
Sony W530
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 113g - 93 x 53 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2011
Photography Glossary

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W530 Overview

The following is a in depth analysis of the Canon SD990 IS and Sony W530, both Ultracompact cameras by rivals Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SD990 IS (15MP) and the W530 (14MP) is very close but the SD990 IS (1/1.7") and W530 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The SD990 IS was announced 3 years before the W530 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a brief overview of how the SD990 IS scores vs the W530 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Sony W530

 SD990 IS W530 

Reasons to pick Sony W530 over the Canon SD990 IS

 W530 SD990 IS 
IntroducedJanuary 2011September 2008Newer by 28 months
Display dimension2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SD990 IS and Sony W530

 SD990 IS W530 
Manually focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W530 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and volume. The Canon SD990 IS enjoys outer measurements of 98mm x 62mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Sony W530 has sizing of 93mm x 53mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 113 grams (0.25 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SD990 IS and Sony W530 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the SD990 IS vs the W530.

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W530 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD990 IS and W530 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W530 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W530 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to envision the difference in sensor dimensions simply by researching technical specs. The image here should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SD990 IS and W530.

As you have seen, the two cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The SD990 IS having a larger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Canon SD990 IS will result in more detail with its extra 1MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos much more aggressively. The more aged SD990 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W530 sensor size comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W530 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W530 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Portrait photography highlights
Sony W530 Portrait photography highlights
37
above average flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
supports face detection focus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/1.7")
does not have RAW support
28
good MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Street photography information
Sony W530 Street photography information
54
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/1.7")
does not have RAW support
heavier than average (205g)
48
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Sports photography camera
Sony W530 as a Sports photography camera
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect auto focus
26
good MP (14 megapixels)
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Travel photography highlights
Sony W530 Travel photography highlights
57
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
flash built-in
heavier than average (205g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
65
good MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
no Timelapse function
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W530 as a Landscape photography camera
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor (1/1.7")
does not have RAW support
33
fairly wide (26mm)
good MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Vlogging info
Sony W530 Vlogging info
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
wide angle not great (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of external mic support
heavier than average (205g)
26
fairly wide (26mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
does not contain selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
no microphone port
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Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W530 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD990 IS and Sony W530
 Canon PowerShot SD990 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-W530
General Information
Make Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SD990 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W530
Also Known as Digital IXUS 980 IS -
Class Ultracompact Ultracompact
Revealed 2008-09-17 2011-01-06
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4416 x 3312 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 36-133mm (3.7x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focusing range 5cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.60 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 205 grams (0.45 pounds) 113 grams (0.25 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 62 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 93 x 53 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shooting
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
Cost at release - $269