• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 14.7 megapixels
  • 36.00mm - 133.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 224.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot SD990 IS
  • Canon PowerShot N
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:   Canon N2
N vs N2
General
Model Number: SD990 IS N
Alternate Model Number(s): IXUS 980 IS  
Camera Format: Compact Ultra Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $399.99 $299.99
Street Price:   $749.00
Date Available: 2008-10-15 2013-04-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 5.6 oz (160 g) 6.9 oz (195 g)
includes batteries
Size: 3.8 x 2.4 x 1.1 in.
(97 x 62 x 28 mm)
3.1 x 2.4 x 1.2 in.
(79 x 60 x 29 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 14.7 12.1
Sensor Format: 1/1.7 inch 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 43.32mm2 (7.6mm x 5.7mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.72 microns 1.54 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 16:9 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
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: 4416 x 3312 (14.6 MP, 4:3),
4416 x 2480 (11.0 MP, 16:9),
3456 x 2592 (9.0 MP, 4:3),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
4000 x 2664 (10.7 MP, 3:2),
4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
2816 x 1584 (4.5 MP, 16:9),
2816 x 1880 (5.3 MP, 3:2),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2112 x 2112 (4.5 MP, 1:1),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1200 x 1200 (1.4 MP, 1:1),
640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2) JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 1.4 2.3
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
1920x1080 (24p)
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
640x480 (120p)
320x240 (240p)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM) MOV (Image data: H.264, Audio data: Linear PCM)
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: No No
HD Video Connection:
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 36 - 133mm 28 - 224mm
Focal Length (actual): 7.7 - 28.5mm 5 - 40mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.69x 8.00x
Aperture Range: f/2.8 (W) - f/5.8 (T) f/3.0 (W) / f/5.9 (T) - ??
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
1 cm to Infinity
0.4 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 5 - 50 cm
2.0 - 19.7 in
 
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect with Face Detection Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes No
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD No / 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 2.8
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 461,000 dots
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display:
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):    
Minimum ISO (native):    
ISO Settings: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600. 3200 requires special scene mode Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Underwater, Custom Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H
Shutter Speed Range: 1/1600 - 15 sec 1/2000 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: No No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot (center), Face Detect AE Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot (center)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: No No
Shutter Priority: No No
Full Manual Exposure: Yes No
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Aquarium, Underwater, ISO 3200, Indoor, Kids & Pets, Night Snapshot, Color Accent, Color Swap, Digital Macro, Stitch Assist Creative Shot, Fisheye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Soft Focus, Monochrome, Super Slow Motion Movie
Self Timer: 1 - 30 seconds 2, 10, Custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Auto Red-eye Correction, Flash On, Flash Off; FE lock, Slow Synchro LED flash (also functions as video light); Auto, On, Slow Synchro, Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: 1.6-15 ft./50cm-4.6m (W), 1.6-7.9 ft./50cm-2.4m (T) (when sensitivity is set to ISO Auto) TBA
Max Flash Sync: 1/500  
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps  
External Flash Connection: n/a n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC microSD / microSDHC / microSDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No No
Uncompressed Format:    
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM) MOV (Image data: H.264, Audio data: Linear PCM)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
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,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No
Remote Control Type:    
Connections (extended):   Built-in Wi-Fi
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 2.00  
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): 1.4 2.3
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited  
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): 0.50 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.60 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):    
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.085 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 1.7 seconds  
Play -> Record Time:    
Flash cycle time, full power: 8.0 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 280 shots 200 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-5L Proprietary NB-9L
Usable Battery Types: Lithium Ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-5L Lithium Ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NB-9L Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Canon software suite Canon Software Suite CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: New DIGIC 4 Image Processor improves Face Detection, adds Servo AF, Face Detection Self-Timer and Intelligent Contrast Correction. 8x lens with Intelligent IS, 2.8-inch tilting touchpanel LCD, DIGIC 5 processor, Full HD 1080p movies, Built-in Wi-Fi, 58 scene Smart Auto, new Creative Shot mode. Available in black or white.