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Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W830

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
23
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W830 front
Portability
96
Imaging
44
Features
26
Overall
36

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W830 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
  • Revealed September 2008
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 980 IS
Sony W830
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-6.3) lens
  • 122g - 93 x 52 x 23mm
  • Revealed January 2014
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Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W830 Overview

Below is a comprehensive comparison of the Canon SD990 IS and Sony W830, both Ultracompact cameras by competitors Canon and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the SD990 IS (15MP) and W830 (20MP) and the SD990 IS (1/1.7") and W830 (1/2.3") offer different sensor size.

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The SD990 IS was revealed 6 years before the W830 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Ultracompact).

Before diving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short view of how the SD990 IS matches up versus the W830 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD990 IS over the Sony W830

 SD990 IS W830 

Reasons to pick Sony W830 over the Canon SD990 IS

 W830 SD990 IS 
RevealedJanuary 2014September 2008More recent by 64 months
Screen size2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SD990 IS and Sony W830

 SD990 IS W830 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W830 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to lug around your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD990 IS features external measurements of 98mm x 62mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Sony W830 has dimensions of 93mm x 52mm x 23mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 122 grams (0.27 lbs).

Check the Canon SD990 IS and Sony W830 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the SD990 IS compared to the W830.

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W830 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SD990 IS and W830 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W830 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W830 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to picture the contrast in sensor measurements only by researching specs. The photograph below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SD990 IS and W830.

As you can plainly see, both cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SD990 IS using its bigger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Sony W830 will result in more detail because of its extra 5MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older SD990 IS will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W830 sensor size comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W830 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W830 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD990 IS
Portrait photography with Sony W830
37
flash sync speed is above average (1/500 seconds)
good resolution (15 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/1.7")
has no RAW support
37
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
provides face detection autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Street photography info
Sony W830 Street photography info
54
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/1.7")
has no RAW support
heavier than competitors in class (205g)
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD990 IS Sports photography factors
Sony W830 Sports photography factors
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (15 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/1.7")
has no phase detect autofocus
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
provides tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Travel photography camera
Sony W830 as a Travel photography camera
57
good resolution (15 megapixels)
flash built-in
heavier than competitors in class (205 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
67
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD990 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W830 as a Landscape photography camera
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (15 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5")
no manual exposure
sensor is small (1/1.7")
has no RAW support
40
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SD990 IS
Vlogging with Sony W830
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
missing external mic support
heavier than competitors in class (205 grams)
32
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic support
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Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W830 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD990 IS and Sony W830
 Canon PowerShot SD990 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-W830
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SD990 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W830
Also called Digital IXUS 980 IS -
Type Ultracompact Ultracompact
Revealed 2008-09-17 2014-01-07
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 surface area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 15MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4416 x 3312 5152 x 3864
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 36-133mm (3.7x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/3.3-6.3
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.60 m 2.80 m (with ISO auto)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow, Manual (Red Eye On/Off) Auto / Flash On / Slow Synchro / Flash Off / Advanced Flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/500 seconds -
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG H.264
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 205 grams (0.45 lbs) 122 grams (0.27 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 62 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 93 x 52 x 23mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9")
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-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC card Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo, microSD/microSDHC
Card slots One One
Cost at release - $128