Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon D3X Specifications

1/1.7 inch 43.3mm²
14.7 megapixels
36.00mm - 133.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon SD990 IS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SD990 IS.

35mm 861.6mm²
24.5 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3X Review.

Detailed specifications
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS
Nikon D3X

Links
Prices:
Manufacturer URL:	Manufacturer website	Manufacturer website
Predecessor:		Nikon D2Xs D2Xs vs D3X
Successor:
General
Model Number:	SD990 IS	D3X
Alternate Model Number(s):	IXUS 980 IS
Camera Format:	Compact	Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured:	No	No
Retail Price:	$399.99	$7999.95
Street Price:		$2,499.99
Date Available:	2008-10-15	2008-12-15
Tripod Mount:	Yes	Yes
Weight:	5.6 oz (160 g)	49.1 oz (1,392 g) includes batteries
Size:	3.8 x 2.4 x 1.1 in. (97 x 62 x 28 mm)	6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in. (160 x 157 x 88 mm)
Waterproof:	No	No
Waterproof Depth:	n/a	n/a

Image Sensor
Sensor Type:	CCD	CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:		Sony
Effective Megapixels:	14.7	24.5
Sensor Format:	1/1.7 inch	35mm
Sensor size:	43.32mm² (7.6mm x 5.7mm)	861.6mm² (35.90mm x 24.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch:	1.72 microns	5.94 microns
Focal Length Multiplier:	n/a	1.0x
Aspect Ratio:	4:3, 16:9	3:2
Color Filter Type:	RGBG	RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:		Fixed
Self-Cleaning:	No	No
Sensor shift image stabilization:	No	No
On-Sensor Phase Detect:	No	No
DxO Sensor Score:		88
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):		24.7
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):		13.7
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):		1,992
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)	6048 x 4032 (24.4 MP, 3:2), 4544 x 3024 (13.7 MP, 3:2), 3024 x 2016 (6.1 MP, 3:2), 5056 x 4032 (20.4 MP, 5:4), 3792 x 3024 (11.5 MP, 5:4), 2528 x 2016 (5.1 MP, 5:4), 3968 x 2640 (10.5 MP, 3:2), 2976 x 1976 (5.9 MP, Other), 1984 x 1320 (2.6 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format:	JPEG (EXIF 2.2)	JPEG (EXIF 2.21), TIFF; RAW (NEF), 12- or 14-bit
Continuous-mode frames/second:	1.4	5.0
Video Capture
Can take movies:	Yes	No
Movie Resolution:	640x480 (30) 320x240 (30)
Movie File Format:	MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM)
Composite Video Out:	Yes	Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video:	Yes	Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:		Yes
HD Video Out:	No	Yes
HD Video Connection:		HDMI

Lens & Optics
Lens Mount:	n/a	Nikon F
Lens:	Canon Zoom Lens	n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):	36 - 133mm
Focal Length (actual):	7.7 - 28.5mm
Zoom Ratio:	3.69x
Aperture Range:	f/2.8 (W) - f/5.8 (T)
Integrated ND Filter:	No	No
Normal Focus Range:	50 cm to Infinity 19.7 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	No
Digital Zoom:	Yes	No
Digital Zoom Values:	Up to 4x	n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus:	Yes	Yes
Auto Focus Type:	Contrast Detect with Face Detection	51-point TTL phase detection via Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX with 15 cross-type and 36 line-type sensors
Auto Focus Assist Light?	Yes	No
Manual Focus:	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder:	Optical / LCD	Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type:	Real image optical zoom	SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, interchangeable screen, 100%, 0.7x, 18mm eyepoint, -3.0 to +1.0
Focus Peaking:	No	No
EVF Resolution:	n/a	n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):		0.70x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):		0.70x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder:	Yes	Yes
Rear Display:	Yes	Yes
Rear Display Size (inches):	2.5	3.0
Rear Display Resolution:	230,000 dots	922,000 dots
Touchscreen:	No	No
Articulating Screen:	No	No
Tilt Swivel Screen:	No	No
Selfie Screen:	No	No
Max Playback Zoom:	10.0x	27.0x
Top Deck Display:		Yes

Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):		1600
Minimum ISO (native):		100
ISO Settings:	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600. 3200 requires special scene mode	100 - 1600, plus down to 50 in Lo-1, up to 6,400 in Hi-2
Auto ISO Mode:	Yes	Yes
White Balance Settings:	Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Underwater, Custom	Auto, seven manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting, custom
Shutter Speed Range:	1/1600 - 15 sec	1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode:	No	Yes
Exposure Compensation:	+/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps	+/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes:	Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot (center), Face Detect AE	1005-pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II, Center-weighted, Spot (1.5%) centered on selected focus area
Program Auto Exposure:	Yes	Yes
Aperture Priority:	No	Yes
Shutter Priority:	No	Yes
Full Manual Exposure:	Yes	Yes
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	None
Self Timer:	1 - 30 seconds	2/5/10/20 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):
High Resolution Composite:	No	No
Flash
Built-in Flash:	Yes	No
Flash Modes:	Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Auto Red-eye Correction, Flash On, Flash Off; FE lock, Slow Synchro	n/a
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)	n/a
Max Flash Sync:	1/500	1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation:	+/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection:	n/a	ISO-type hot-shoe contact; safety lock provided; PC Sync terminal
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types:	SD / SDHC	CF1 / CF2 / Microdrive
UHS Support:
Other Memory:
Dual Card Slots:	No	Yes
RAW Capture Support:	No	Yes
Uncompressed Format:		TIFF; RAW (NEF), 12- or 14-bit
Movie File Format:	MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM)
Included Memory:	No memory included	No memory included
Included Memory Type:
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi:	No	No
NFC:	No
Bluetooth:	No	No
Built-In GPS:	No	No
Microphone Jack:	No	Yes
Headphone Jack:	No	No
External Connections:	USB 2.0 High Speed	USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant:	Yes	Yes
DPOF Compliant:	Yes	Yes
Remote Control:	No	Yes
Remote Control Type:		Wired, 10-pin terminal or USB
Connections (extended):		HDMI Out (Type-A), DC Input, 10-pin Expansion Terminal

Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):	2.00	<0.3
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):		<0.3
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):		31
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):
Camera penalizes early shutter press?	No	Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution):	1.4	5.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):	Unlimited	31
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	0.16 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):		0.050 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):
Shutter Lag (prefocused):	0.085 seconds	0.045 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):		Live View Mode Full AF, Single-Area, Hand-Held Mode = 0.426s Full AF, Auto-Area, Hand-Held Mode = 0.606s Prefocused, Hand-Held Mode = 0.045s Prefocused, Tripod Mode = 0.418s
Startup Time:	1.7 seconds	0.3 seconds
Play -> Record Time:		0.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:	8.0 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):	280 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):		4400 shots
Battery Life, Video:
Battery Form Factor:	Proprietary NB-5L	Proprietary EN-EL4a
Usable Battery Types:	Lithium Ion rechargeable	Lithium Ion rechargeable
Batteries Included:	1 x Proprietary NB-5L Lithium Ion rechargeable	1 x Proprietary EN-EL4a Lithium Ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter):	Yes	Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:		Yes
Internal Charging Supported:		No
Software
Included Software:	Canon software suite	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.	24.5MP version of the D3. 5fps full resolution burst speed, 7fps in DX crop mode at 10.5 megapixels.