• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.0 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/3 inch 17.3mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 29.00mm - 87.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot A590 IS
  • Nikon Coolpix S31
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: A590 IS S31
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $179.99 $119.95
Street Price: $219.00 $89.00
Date Available: 2008-03-30 2013-02-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 7.8 oz (221 g)
includes batteries
6.5 oz (185 g)
includes batteries
Size: 3.7 x 2.6 x 1.6 in.
(94 x 66 x 41 mm)
4.1 x 2.6 x 1.6 in.
(105 x 65 x 42 mm)
Waterproof: No Yes
Waterproof Depth: n/a  
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CCD
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 8.0 10.1
Sensor Format: 1/2.5 inch 1/3 inch
Sensor size: 24.7104mm2 (5.76mm x 4.29mm) 17.28mm2 (4.8mm x 3.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.76 microns 1.32 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 16:9 4:3
Color Filter Type:    
Anti Aliasing Filter:    
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:    
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):    
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):    
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):    
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
3264 x 1832 (6.0 MP, 16:9),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
2272 x 1704 (3.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2) JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 1.0 1.5
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 640x480 (20)
320x240 (30)
160x120 (15)
1280x720 (30p)
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG)  
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out:
HD Video Connection:
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens (7 elements in 5 groups, 2 aspherical) NIKKOR; 6 elements in 5 groups
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 35 - 140mm 29 - 87mm
Focal Length (actual): 5.8 - 23.2mm 4.1 - 12.3mm
Zoom Ratio: 4.00x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/2.6 (wide) / f/5.5 (tele) - f/8.0 f/3.3 (wide) / f/5.9 (tele) - ???
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 45 cm to Infinity
17.7 in to Infinity
30 cm to Infinity
11.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 5 - 45 cm
2.0 - 17.7 in
5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: up to 4x Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9- or 1-point Contrast Detect with Face Detect Contrast Detection: Center, Face detection
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes No
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD LCD
Viewfinder Type: Real-image optical zoom  
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.5 2.7
Rear Display Resolution: 115,000 dots 230,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x  
Top Deck Display:
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):    
Minimum ISO (native):    
ISO Settings: Auto, High ISO Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom Auto
Shutter Speed Range: 1/2000 - 15 sec 1/2000 - 4 sec
Bulb Mode: No No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot Metering (frame is fixed to the center), Face Detect Matrix, Center-weighted (digital zoom less than 2x), Spot (digital zoom 2X or more)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes No
Shutter Priority: Yes No
Full Manual Exposure: Yes No
Creative Exposure Modes: Easy mode, Portrait, Landscape, Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Indoor, Night Scene, Sunset, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Aquarium Close Up, Continuous shooting, Diorama effect, Fireworks Show, Food, Interval shooting, Mirror, Underwater, Soft
Self Timer: 1 to 30 seconds 10, smile seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Flash On, Flash Off Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off, Flash On, w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 11 ft./3.5m (W), 7.2 ft./2.2m (T) Auto ISO: [W]: 0.5 to 3.5m (1ft. 8 in. to 11 ft.) [T]: 0.5 to 2.0m (1ft 8 in. to 6 ft 6 in.)
Max Flash Sync: 1/500  
Flash Exposure Compensation:    
External Flash Connection: n/a n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No No
Uncompressed Format:    
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG)  
Included Memory: No memory included 25.0 MB
Included Memory Type:   Internal
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No
Remote Control Type:    
Connections (extended): DC Input  
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.98  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 1.0 1.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited 4
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.51 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.70 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.260 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.92 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.068 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 1.9 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 1.3 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 10.5 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 450 shots (NiMH AA) 260 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: 2 x AA Proprietary EN-EL12
Usable Battery Types: Alkaline disposable, NiMH rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 2 x AA Alkaline disposables 1 x Proprietary EN-EL12 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): No Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: ZoomBrowser EX / ImageBrowser, PhotoStitch, Drivers Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Optical Image Stabilization (OIS); Motion Detection technology consolidates motion information for both the camera and the photographic subject and determines whether the subject has moved and what if any adjustments to focus or exposure needs to be made; Hi-ISO Auto function that works together with Motion Detection Technology to reduces the effect of blur in low light shooting situations by automatically changing and balancing the ISO sensitivity along with the shutter speed. Waterproof (up to 16.4 feet), Shockproof (up to 3.9 feet) and Dustproof. Available in White, Blue, Pink, Brown or Yellow.