• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 14.7 megapixels
  • 36.00mm - 133.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.83 inch 36.9mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SD990 IS advantages over Nokia N8

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $549 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/1.83 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • More telephoto lens reach
    133 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More pixels
    14.7 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 1/5 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 vs 800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nokia N8 advantages over Canon SD990 IS

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Thinner
    12 mm vs 27 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    691k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Wider angle lens
    28 mm vs 36 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster shutter
    1/5000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • 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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Buy the Canon SD990 IS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nokia N8

Review Excerpt

  • We haven’t finished our review of the Nokia N8, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
  • See our Nokia N8 First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Pentax A40

Canon SD990 IS
Pentax A40
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon SD990 IS vs Pentax A40

Nokia N8
Pentax A40
  • $549
  • 1/1.83 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nokia N8 vs Pentax A40

Compared to Pentax S12

Canon SD990 IS
Pentax S12
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon SD990 IS vs Pentax S12

Nokia N8
Pentax S12
  • $549
  • 1/1.83 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nokia N8 vs Pentax S12

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

Compare Canon SD990 IS vs Sony DSC-W300

Nokia N8
Sony DSC-W300
  • $549
  • 1/1.83 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nokia N8 vs Sony DSC-W300

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

Compare Canon SD990 IS vs Panasonic DMC-FX150

Nokia N8
Panasonic DMC-FX150
  • $549
  • 1/1.83 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $400
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nokia N8 vs Panasonic DMC-FX150

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

Compare Canon SD990 IS vs Nikon S710

Nokia N8
Nikon S710
  • $549
  • 1/1.83 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $380
  • 1/1.72 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nokia N8 vs Nikon S710

Compare Other Cameras?