• 1/1.63 inch 46.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 60.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 14.7 megapixels
  • 36.00mm - 133.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-LX3 advantages over Canon SD990 IS

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/2.8
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 280 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 36 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.9 fps vs 1.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Canon SD990 IS advantages over Panasonic DMC-LX3

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $500 (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
  • Fast startup
    ~1.70 vs 2.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More telephoto lens reach
    133 mm vs 60 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Lighter weight
    160g vs 257g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.50 vs 0.77 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    14.7 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 4 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • 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 Panasonic DMC-FX150

Panasonic DMC-LX3
Panasonic DMC-FX150
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
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

Compared to Nikon S710

Panasonic DMC-LX3
Nikon S710
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $380
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
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

Compared to Canon S90

Panasonic DMC-LX3
Canon S90
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $430
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
Canon SD990 IS
Canon S90
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $430
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Panasonic LX5

Panasonic DMC-LX3
Panasonic LX5
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $550
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Higher effective ISO
Canon SD990 IS
Panasonic LX5
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $550
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • RAW file ability

Compared to Canon S95

Panasonic DMC-LX3
Canon S95
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $428
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
Canon SD990 IS
Canon S95
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $428
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
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