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Expert Recommendation
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Overview
Equipped with a stupendous 14.7 Megapixels resolution sensor, a sharp lens and the latest DIGIC IV image processing engine, the Canon PowerShot SD990 IS is the best in class ultra compact digital camera for photographing kids and pets. Featuring a 5x zoom lens and fast image capture times, it will freeze fleeting moments at the press of a button. With its good low light performance, you can keep on capturing the natural expressions of babies without startling them with a flash.
My Best In Class Pick
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS
The Canon SD990 IS is the latest top-of-line ultra compact from the market leader. The camera has an optical viewfinder, which is a great feature for keeping track of active kids indoors (typical low light condition, where images on an LCD are a bit delayed). In addition the camera is equipped with a sharp 3.7x zoom lens in its sturdy body, which helps when taking pictures of natural expressions from a distance. The camera’s class-leading resolution will make large prints possible for hanging on the walls.
Equipped with the latest DIGIC IV processor, the camera is very responsive and has managed to strike a good balance between noise and rich detail under low light conditions. Noise is unwanted random colored pixels superimposed on the image, most apparent in images taken in low light level (e.g. underexposed images or images shot at high ISO). As a result, high ISO images are relatively clean (good for portraits) and retain enough detail for good quality mid-sized prints (up to 8”x10” size), which is unusual for such a small sensor camera, making it the best-in class ultra compact for taking indoor pictures of kids and pet in low light without flash.
It is the first camera in the highly successful SD series to offer manual modes, providing full control over shutter speed and the aperture.
Other useful features are:
- Face detection Adjusts exposure based on faces in the scene and removes red-eye automatically.
- Motion detection technology Combining inputs from its Face Detection Technology, the optical Image Stabilizer, changes in scene brightness and changes from frame to frame, it raises ISO to freeze action.
- LCD with wide viewing angle
Comparison with Fujifilm FinePix F100fd
The Canon SD990 IS has slightly better low light performance (less noise reduction artifacts in images) and has higher resolution than the Fuji FinePix F100fd. It also has an optical viewfinder and features full manual mode.
Comparison with Canon PowerShot SD890 IS
The Canon SD990 IS has cleaner high ISO images and much higher resolution (its digital zoom effectively compensating for less zoom) than the Canon SD890 IS.
Pros
- +Best in class resolution
- +Good image quality
- +Optical viewfinder
- +Rich feature set
- +Well built
- +Good high ISO performance
Cons
- -Thicker than others in class
Where to buy
Canon PowerShot SD990 IS
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Best Price:
$299
See It »
- $299 - $459 Compare Prices »
Comparing My Best In Class Pick with Other Good Choices
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| Customer Rating |
 
(from 149 reviews)
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(from 46 reviews)
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(from 193 reviews)
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| Price | $299 - $459 | $239 - $350 | $319 - $499 |
| Size (W x H x D) | 3.8 x 2.4 x 1.1 in. | 3.8 x 2.3 x 0.9 in. | 3.8 x 2.2 x 1.1 in. |
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Sensor Size
Most digital cameras, even most digital SLRs, have sensors that are smaller than a standard frame of 35 mm film (36 x 24 mm). These smaller sensors have a number of effects on the captured image and the use of the camera, including an increased depth of field, decreased light sensitivity, increased pixel noise, and increased degree of enlargement.
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7.6 x 5.7 mm | 8.0 x 6.0 mm | 6.0 x 4.5 mm |
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Effective Sensor Resolution
The Effective Sensor Resolution tells you the total number of pixels that are recorded when you take a picture. The units are MP, which stands for megapixels or millions of pixels. For outstanding fine compression prints, 3MP is required for 5x7's, 7.1MP for 8x10's, and 10.9MP for 11x14's. The effective sensor resolution is only one of many important factors that will determine the quality of the photograph when displayed or printed at different sizes.
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14.7 megapixels | 12.0 megapixels | 10.0 megapixels |
| Shutter Lag Time (pre-focused) | 0.07 sec | 0.07 sec | 0.07 sec |
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Shutter Lag Time (including auto-focus time)
This is the time from fully pressing the shutter button until the image is captured. Longer shutter lag times make it more difficult to capture the desired moment.
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0.7 - 0.8 sec | 0.6 - 0.8 sec | 0.7 - 0.8 sec |
| Max Shooting Speed (continuous) | 1.3 frames/sec | 1.7 frames/sec | 1.2 frames/sec |
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Min Focal Length (35 mm equivalent)
The 35 mm equivalent focal length is a measure that indicates the angle of view of a particular combination of a camera lens and the sensor size. The term originates from the time when the vast majority of photography was done with 35 mm film. On any 35 mm film camera, a 30 mm or less lens is considered a wide-angle lens.
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36 mm | 28 mm | 37 mm |
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Max Focal Length (35 mm equivalent)
The 35 mm equivalent focal length is a measure that indicates the angle of view of a particular combination of a camera lens and the sensor size. The term originates from the time when the vast majority of photography was done with 35 mm film. Larger max focal lengths make distant objects appear more magnified.
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133 mm | 140 mm | 185 mm |
| Optical Zoom | 3.7x | 5.0x | 5.0x |
| Auto Focus Assist Light Available | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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Max Aperture (wide-angle)
The aperture refers to the size of the opening in the lens that determines the amount of light falling onto the sensor. The maximum aperture (wide-angle) is the largest possible size at the wide-angle limit of the zoom lens. The lens aperture is usually specified as an f-number, the ratio of focal length to effective aperture diameter. A lower f-number denotes a greater aperture opening, which allows more light to reach the image sensor.
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f/2.8 | f/3.3 | f/3.2 |
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Max Aperture (tele-photo)
The aperture refers to the size of the opening in the lens that determines the amount of light falling onto the sensor. The maximum aperture (tele-photo) is the largest possible size at the tele-photo limit of the zoom lens. The lens aperture is usually specified as an f-number, the ratio of focal length to effective aperture diameter. A lower f-number denotes a greater aperture opening, which allows more light to reach the image sensor.
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f/5.8 | f/5.1 | f/5.7 |
| Max ISO Setting | 3200 (reduced resolution after ISO1600) | 12800 (reduced resolution after ISO3200) | 3200 (reduced resolution after ISO1600) |
| Max Usable ISO (subjective) | 1600 | 1600 | 800 |
| Shutter Priority Mode Available | No | No | No |
| Full Manual Exposure Mode Available | Yes | No | No |
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Face Detection Available
Face detection technology will try to set the focus, exposure, and color balance so that faces appear sharp, well-exposed, and with the proper color.
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Yes | Yes | Yes |
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Viewfinder Available
A viewfinder is a window that you look through to compose the picture. Some cameras do not have a viewfinder and instead use the LCD display. The LCD display may be difficult to see in bright light and may make it more difficult to capture fast-moving subjects because of the time required to update the display.
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Yes | No | Yes |
Fujifilm FinePix F100fd
For the last few years, the Fuji F series cameras, equipped with super CCD sensors, have become synonymous with good image quality in low light making them the preferred choice for taking pictures of small kids and babies indoor without a flash. This camera is one of the latest additions to this series. It packs a high resolution 8th generation super CCD sensor and a 5x zoom lens in a sturdy body.
Although the resolution has been doubled, its detrimental effect (smaller pixels produce more noise) on low light (i.e high ISO) performance has been mitigated somewhat by improved processing and a slight increase in sensor size. Nevertheless its high ISO images suffers from more unnatural looking water color painting type artifacts (as compared to Canon SD990IS). The camera is very respnsive too.
The Fuji F100fd offers many other useful features:
- Dual-stabilization mode To freeze moving subjects it automatically raises the ISO setting. It also uses mechanical image stabilization to mitigate the effects of camera shake.
- i-flash It tries to strike a balance between flash output and high ISO that results in a good image with natural tones and without a “washed-out”; effect.
- Dual shot mode It quickly shoots two images in rapid succession – one with the flash and one without – and saves both.
- Face detection 2.0, featuring Automatic Red Eye Removal
Comparison with Canon PowerShot SD890 IS
The Fuji FinePix F100fd has an optical viewfinder and more reach (tele-zoom).
Pros
- +Good image quality
- +High resolution
- +Rich feature set
- +Clean high ISO images
Cons
- -Lacks optical viewfinder
- -Water color artifacts at high ISOs
Where to buy
Fujifilm FinePix F100fd
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Best Price:
$239
See It »
- $239 - $350 Compare Prices »
Canon PowerShot SD890 IS
This camera packs in a 5x zoom lens in an ultra compact body. This camera also offers good resolution and has a sharp lens with more tele-reach, which is good for taking natural pictures of kids and pets from a safe distance. In addition, the availability of an optical viewfinder and a rich feature set has made it the camera of choice for the budget conscious customer. The camera is very responsive and low light image quality (i.e. high ISO performance) is above average. Noise is a bit high at ISO800 and above. Other useful features are:
- Face detection
- Motion detection technology
- LCD with wide viewing angle
Pros
- +Good resolution
- +Optical viewfinder
- +Fast operation
Cons
- -High noise at ISO 800 and above
- -Lack of manual modes
- -Thicker than others in class
Where to buy
Canon PowerShot SD890 IS
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Best Price:
$319
See It »
- $319 - $499 Compare Prices »
How It Works
You tell us your budget, intended uses, and desired features. We show you personalized recommendations from unbiased experts to quickly identify the best digital camera for you.
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How to Pick Digital Cameras
- For Travel Photos
- For Photos of Children or Pets
- For Action or Sports Photos
- For Photos in Low Light
