• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 14.7 megapixels
  • 36.00mm - 133.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 624.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SD990 IS advantages over Pentax X70

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 280 vs 170 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    27 mm vs 99 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    160g vs 411g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    14.7 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Pentax X70 advantages over Canon SD990 IS

  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    624 mm vs 133 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Wider angle lens
    26 mm vs 36 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.0 fps vs 1.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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 Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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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
Pentax X70
Sony DSC-W300
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

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
Pentax X70
Panasonic DMC-FX150
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $400
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • 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
Pentax X70
Nikon S710
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $380
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Olympus SP-590UZ

Canon SD990 IS
Olympus SP-590UZ
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Thinner
  • $450
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Wider angle lens
Pentax X70
Olympus SP-590UZ
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Faster shutter
  • $450
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Longer exposure

Compared to Pentax X90

Canon SD990 IS
Pentax X90
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
Pentax X70
Pentax X90
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out
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