Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

Review Index – (updated 30 September’09)

PCAdvsior
“This camera is chunkier than earlier or cheaper models, but can boast a very high pixel count and good SD video capture. Manual controls allow more creativity while auto modes still provide click and forget convenience. Still images lacked some color crispness, and despite a larger than normal CCD, high-contrast scenes could be a little hit and miss.”
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Camera Labs
“As we said at the top, Canon’s Digital IXUS 980 IS / PowerShot SD990 IS is a good solid compact camera with some strong features which allow it to stand out in the crowd not to mention within Canon’s own broad range. It may not be the newest model, but still features the highest resolution sensor of any IXUS / ELPH to date, and is still the only one with manual control over exposure. Add an optical viewfinder which greatly extends battery life and you’ve got a compelling camera.”
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PCWorld
“When you?re ready to experience a higher level of pacesetting technology and image brilliance.The Camera clear, sharp images every time.perfect complement to the ELPH model?s most advanced feature .The SD990 IS Digital ELPH incorporates Canon?s exclusive Optical Image Stabilizer.The very image of photography at its best, featuring megapixels that?s the highest resolution among Digital ELPH to capture every detail around you.”
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Imaging Resource
“As for functionality, the Canon SD990 is a great companion that breaks the ELPH mold with a Manual mode that lets you set shutter speed and aperture independently of each other. The Servo AF tracking of moving subjects is a refinement with real benefits, as is the improved face detection. And while the 14.7-megapixel sensor may have some issues, it does still bring home details you wouldn’t have seen with your naked eye.”

Trusted Reviews
“The Canon IXUS 980 IS exemplifies just why Canon is so highly regarded as a brand. It is a superb camera, built up to a standard rather than down to a price, combining stylish but functional design, superior build quality, class-leading performance, a useful and accessible range of features and outstanding picture quality. It is very expensive, but if you want top quality you have to pay for it.”
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Pocket-lint
“If you must have a compact camera but need lots of pixels and a decent zoom then the 990IS is certainly a top performer. The range of functions and features is good and it’s easy to use. Image quality is very good with very little to be concerned about in that department.”
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PhotographyBlog
“So overall, the new Canon Digital IXUS 990 IS falls between two camps – it’s too expensive for the casual snapper, and doesn’t offer enough advanced features for the pros looking for a second pocket camera. It’s undoubtedly a really nice camera to use, and therefore still easy to recommend, but there are better and cheaper alternatives, including from Canon themselves.”
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ITReviewed
“It offers a fantastic blend of technical innovation and classic Canon design. Equally striking inside and out, this is the ideal camera for those who appreciate manufacturing quality and don’t mind paying for it. You’ll not be disappointed with image quality, either.”
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CNET
“Photo quality is consistent with other Canon SD-series cameras: excellent. Colors are accurate and well saturated, and exposures tend to be accurate, even in some tough situations. Canon does an excellent job of keeping ISO noise under control through ISO 200.”
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RegHardware
“In terms of noise, those extra pixels didn’t seem to have had an adverse effect on the amount of noise generated, which must be down to some hard work by the Digic 4. As expected, noise begins to become apparent around ISO 400, but even at 800, the levels are not too bad.”
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DigitalCameraReview
“With the same sensor as the G10, the SD990 suffers from many of the same image quality concerns, though a weaker lens on this model only further serves to soften things up at the pixel level. Of course, the SD990 also does a lot of things right: it has a great focus system, decent exposure control, and processing that’s pure Canon.”

CNET.au
“The extra resolution is a nice touch, but we don’t like how there is no higher video recording available above VGA. However, with overall image quality being so high compared to other cameras of a similar resolution, we prefer the 980.”
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PhotographyBlog
“Highly recommended to DSLR owners who are in the need of a second camera that they can take along even when their main ‘workhorse’ has to stay at home, and also to beginners who want an easy-to-use point-and-shoot that can ‘grow’ with them as their photography skills improve.”
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CNET Australia (Compared to the Samsung NV100HD)
“In terms of features alone, the Samsung is the clear winner here. However, bringing image quality into the equation, the Canon wins by a substantial margin.”

DPInterface
“Image quality was good – photos were generally good up till ISO 800 in well-lit conditions, while the most you’d wanna go in low-light would be ISO 400.”

CNET Asia
“Its operation can be improved on, especially the switch between manual and program exposure modes. Also, the lack of a wide-angle lens may put off potential buyers since some of its competition offer this feature.”
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InfoSync
“All in all, the Canon PowerShot SD990 IS has the ability to capture magnificent images when the settings are dialed in correctly. If you know what you’re doing, the SD990 IS will be very good to you.”
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Cameras.co.uk
“I like the picture quality and this is the most important factor for me when choosing a camera. The big question is whether or not you are prepared to pay the premium price. If money is not so important and top quality is all that counts this is likely to be a good choice.”
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PCMag
“Performance was terrific indoors, too. In a dim restaurant, pictures taken with flash looked great. Subjects looked sharp, and images were noise-free at ISO 80 and 100. Pictures without flash in ISO 800 and 1600 were in focus but somewhat grainy.”
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Steves Digicams
“With robust performance, above average image quality, and loads of exposure modes, this camera is sure to be popular with everyone in your household or office.”

DigicamReview
“Image quality is generally excellent, with a usable high ISO mode. The compact camera provides a useful 3.7x optical zoom lens, with image stabilization, and an impressive 2.5″ LCD screen. The camera’s screen works well and battery life is very good.”
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PhotoReview
“Low-light performance was very good for long exposures between ISO 100 and 400, where traces of image noise became visible. With this setting – and at ISO 800 – noise would be unlikely to interfere with print quality at enlargements up to A4 size. At ISO 1600, image noise was very obvious in night shots and most fine detail was lost.”

GoodGearGuide
“The key thing about this unit is that it is the manual shooting controls. They are a little simpler than those found on an advanced camera, with no aperture or shutter priority modes, but they do give the ability to adjust both shutter speed and aperture via the full manual mode.”
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