• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 14.7 megapixels
  • 36.00mm - 133.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 122.9mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 240.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SD990 IS advantages over Canon XC10

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $2499 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    27 mm vs 122 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    160g vs 1040g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    14.7 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 1/2 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Canon XC10 advantages over Canon SD990 IS

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.20 vs 1.72 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs No
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More telephoto lens reach
    240 mm vs 133 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    9 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1030k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 36 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.8 fps vs 1.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    20000 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Buy the Canon XC10

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-W300

Canon SD990 IS
Sony DSC-W300
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Canon XC10
Sony DSC-W300
  • $2498
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX150

Canon SD990 IS
Panasonic DMC-FX150
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $400
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Shoots 24p video
Canon XC10
Panasonic DMC-FX150
  • $2498
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Less expensive
  • RAW file ability

Compared to Nikon S710

Canon SD990 IS
Nikon S710
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $380
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Wider angle lens
  • Higher extended ISO
Canon XC10
Nikon S710
  • $2498
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $380
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Canon SD990 IS
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon XC10
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $2498
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Sony RX10 II

Canon SD990 IS
Sony RX10 II
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon XC10
Sony RX10 II
  • $2498
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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