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 bucks the trend by producing clean low light images with lots of detail. Featuring manual modes and a rich feature set, the Canon SD990 IS is the best in class ultra compact camera for shooting in low light.
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 moving subjects in low light. It is the first camera in the highly successful SD series to offer manual modes, providing full control over shutter speed and the aperture.
The camera offers class-leading resolution and features a sharp lens to match it.
Equipped with the latest DIGIC IV processor, it 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 and retain enough detail for 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 shooting in low light (e.g. portraits, etc.).
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 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX150
The Canon SD990 IS has cleaner high ISO images and has an optical viewfinder.
Comparison with Fujifilm FinePix F50fd
The Canon SD990 IS has slightly better low light performance (more fine details, less noise reduction artifacts in images) and has higher resolution. It also has an optical viewfinder and features full manual mode.
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
Comparing My Best In Class Pick with Other Good Choices
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| Price | $299 - $501 | $299 - $385 | $164 - $299 | |
| Size (W x H x D) | 3.9 x 2.4 x 1.1 in | 3.8 x 2.1 x 1.0 in. | 3.6 x 2.3 x 0.9 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 | 7.4 x 5.55 mm | 8.0 x 6.0 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 | 14.7 megapixels | 12.0 megapixels | |
| Shutter Lag Time (including auto-focus time) | - | - | 0.6 sec | |
| Power to First Shot Time | - | 1.5 sec | 2.8 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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33 mm | 28 mm | 35 mm | |
| Optical Zoom | 3.7x | 3.6x | 3.0x | |
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Image Stabilization Available
Image stabilization features are designed to reduce the blur that results from normal, minute shaking of a lens due to hand-held shooting. However, image stabilization does not prevent motion blur caused by the movement of the subject or by extreme movements of the camera.
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Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 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/2.8 | f/2.8 | |
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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/5.6 | f/5.1 | |
| Max ISO Setting | 1600 | 6400 (1600 at full resolution) | 6400 (1600 at full resolution) | |
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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 | No | |
| Battery Life | 700 shots | 330 shots | 230 shots | |
| Sensor Raw Format Available | No | Yes | No | |
| Flash Recycling Time | - | - | 3.1 sec | |
| Image Quality | ||||
| Corner to corner sharpness | very good | very good | very good | |
| Low light (high ISO) performance | very good | good | good | |
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX150
Panasonic is quickly catching up with other leading camera manufacturers and is working hard to improve its high ISO image quality with successive launches. This camera is one of their latest addition to their FX series of premium ultra compacts. This camera also offers class-leading resolution and has a sharp wide angle lens. It features a manual mode, which you can use to control the shutter speed.
The camera uses a bit less noise reduction than usual at high ISOs. As a result the images are grainy but retain slightly more details than others in its class.
It offers a RAW mode too. The RAW mode is a desirable feature for low light photography because one can get better image quality later during the image conversion to a more popular image format (e.g. JPG or TIFF) after applying noise reduction using the supplied software (or third party software, e.g. Noise Ninja).
Comparison with Fujifilm FinePix F50fd
The Panasonic DMC-FX150 has a RAW mode, higher resolution, fewer artifacts at higher ISOs.
Pros
- +Best in class resolution
- +More fine details at high ISO
- +Rich feature set including RAW mode
Cons
- -More noise at higher ISOs
Fujifilm FinePix F50fd
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. This camera is one of the latest additions to this series. It packs a high resolution 7th generation super CCD sensor and a 3x 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. Consequently, along with its high quality optics, it just manages to retain its crown as value-for-money low light performer. Nevertheless its high ISO images suffers from more unnatural looking water color painting type artifacts (as compared to Canon SD990IS & Panasonic FX150).
The Fuji F50fd offers many features that are useful for low light shooting:
- 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
The camera also has useful Aperture/Shutter Priority modes for more experienced users.
(The Fujifilm FinePix F60fd is a more recent and more expensive minor upgrade that has a few extras features such as a larger 3.0” LCD screen, upgraded Face Detection and Auto- Scene Recognition mode.)
Pros
- +Good image quality
- +High resolution
- +Rich feature set
- +Clean high ISO images
Cons
- -Lacks optical viewfinder
- -Water color artifacts at high ISOs
How It Works
Unbiased experts recommend the best digital camera for you based on the types of photographs you intend to take, your budget, and desired features.
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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
