Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W830
92 Imaging
37 Features
23 Overall
31


96 Imaging
44 Features
26 Overall
36
Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W830 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W830 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SD990 IS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W830. The full galleries are available at Canon SD990 IS Gallery and Sony W830 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2014 | ![]() | September 2008 | More recent by 64 months |
Screen size | 2.7" | ![]() | 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD990 IS vs Sony W830 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS | Sony 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 |