Canon Powershot SD990IS 14.7MP Digital Camera with 3.7x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Silver)

by Canon

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.8 x 2.4 x 1.1 inches ; 5.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B001G5ZTX6
• Item model number: SD990 Silver
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (179 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,979 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 17, 2008

Product Description

Color: Silver

Manufacturer Description

When you’re ready to experience a higher level of pacesetting technology and image brilliance, the PowerShot SD990 IS Digital ELPH is ready for you. One glance at the sleek sculptured profile, and you know this is a camera driven by design and features. Style without compromise is the perfect complement to the ELPH model’s most advanced feature lineup--engineering leadership that opens your eyes and imagination to the real potential and boundless pleasures of photography.

PowerShot SD990 IS Highlights

14.7 megapixels deliver outstanding detail

Powerful curves house a 14.7-megapixel Digital ELPH
The PowerShot SD990 IS Digital ELPH is all about firsts. It’s the very first ELPH to offer you the contemporary cool of pure black--making the boldest camera contours seem even more dramatic. When classic style reflects your fashion sense, indulge in the satiny glow of silver tone. Both are the very image of photography at its best, featuring megapixels that’s the highest resolution among Digital ELPH to capture every detail of the world around you. There’s never been a better time to think big, knowing that every enlargement will be sharper and more full-of-life than you’ve ever experienced before.

3.7x optical zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer for blur-free shooting
The PowerShot SD990 IS Digital ELPH has 3.7x optical zoom. A zoom opens up a world of possibilities in your photography, and thanks to innovative Canon engineering, it’s housed in a camera that’s sized to go everywhere with you. With many cameras, hand-held shots taken at the long end of the zoom can be marred by blur. The SD990 IS Digital ELPH incorporates Canon’s exclusive Optical Image Stabilizer. The technology detects and effectively cancels camera shake, for clear, sharp images every time.

3.7x optical zoom in action

Optical viewfinder plus large high-quality 2.5-inch PureColor LCD II
The PowerShot SD990 IS Digital ELPH gives you large 2.5-inch LCD screen for excellent control when framing your shots. Canon’s PureColor LCD II offers spectacular color, resolution and contrast even when viewed at an angle. The screen is highly durable and easy to see in any light with a scratch-resistant, antireflective coating. It also features Night Display for easy viewing in low light--a perfect feature for gathering friends and family around to see your images.

New DIGIC 4 Image Processor improves Face Detection, adds Servo AF, Face Detection Self-Timer and Intelligent Contrast Correction

DIGIC 4 Image Processor
Canon’s proprietary DIGIC Image Processors have long set its cameras apart from the competition, and the new DIGIC 4 sets the bar even higher. Faster, more accurate noise reduction delivers better image quality, even at high ISO speeds.

iSAPS Technology is an entirely original scene-recognition technology developed for digital cameras by Canon. Using an internal database of thousands of different photos, iSAPS works with the advanced DIGIC 4 Image Processor to improve focus speed and accuracy, as well as exposure and white balance.

A new Face Self-Timer automatically detects an increase in the number of faces and makes the appropriate adjustments. For instance, to include photographer’s face in a group shot, there’s no need to rush in. Just put the camera on a stand or tripod, and specify Face Self-Timer, and the camera will wait for the photographer’s face to get on-camera before it takes the shot. Motion Detection now tracks moving subjects in a much larger range, and the new Servo AF retains focus on a moving subject after the shutter button is pressed halfway -- allowing you to wait for the perfect shot without refocusing. Also, Face Detection and Motion Detection are markedly improved.

Intelligent Contrast Correction
DIGIC 4 also makes possible the new i-Contrast (Intelligent Contrast Correction) system, which controls the compensation level in pixel units to brighten dark areas while leaving bright areas unchanged for better images where the main subject is dark, and more natural transition. The PowerShot SD990 IS Digital ELPH can even use i-Contrast in playback mode to adjust images that were shot without the setting activated.

Red-eye Correction provides three options for removing red-eye from subjects in flash pictures.
1) The Red-eye Correction during shooting actually identifies and corrects red-eye in human subjects as pictures are taken.
2) The SD990 IS Digital ELPH can be set to automatically detect and correct red-eye during image playback.
3) You can manually locate any red eyes in a scene during image playback on the LCD screen, and command the camera to remove them.

Life doesn’t give you second chances to capture special times. That’s why the SD990 IS Digital ELPH features ISO 1600 and High ISO Auto settings that reduce the effects of camera shake and sharpen subjects in low-light situations, giving you greater shooting flexibility. ISO can be expanded to 3200 when you select ISO 3200 Special Scene mode.

A Wide Range of Shooting Modes to Capture Anything
When you don’t want to control the shots, the PowerShot SD990 IS Digital ELPH offers the satisfying option of Quick shooting mode. The camera’s LCD screen turns off and the viewfinder displays the scene while framing. When the moment you want to shoot the focused moving subject comes along, this feature makes lag time shortest to capture the subject quickest. If the camera focuses on faces, the faces are also detected in the frame.

With 21 Shooting Modes including 16 Special Scene Modes, you’re ready for whatever shot comes your way.

Print/Share Button for easy direct printing and downloading
The PowerShot SD990 IS Digital ELPH's Print/Share button makes direct printing easier than ever. Simply connect the SD990 IS Digital ELPH to a Canon PIXMA Photo Printer or SELPHY Compact Photo Printer or any PictBridge compatible photo printer, press the lighted Print/Share button and print! Also use the Print/Share button to transfer images to a computer (Windows and Macintosh).

Print your own ID photos in up to 28 different sizes or use the Movie Print function to output multiple stills from a recorded movie on a single sheet with a Canon SELPHY Compact Photo Printer.

What's in the Box

• PowerShot SD990IS Digital ELPH body
• Wrist Strap WS-DC7
• SD Memory Card SDC-32M
• Battery Pack NB-5L
• Battery Charger CB-2LX
• AV Cable AVC-DC400
• Interface Cable IFC-400PCU (USB)
• Solution Disk

Product Description

When you’re ready to experience a higher level of pacesetting technology and image brilliance, the PowerShot SD990 IS Digital ELPH is ready for you. One glance at the sleek sculptured profile, and you know this is a camera driven by design and features. Style without compromise is the perfect complement to the ELPH model’s most advanced feature lineup--engineering leadership that opens your eyes and imagination to the real potential and boundless pleasures of photography.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

376 of 401 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good..but far from perfect..., October 13, 2008

By 

Radio Man "yarns13" (NY, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Canon Powershot SD990IS 14.7MP Digital Camera with 3.7x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Silver) (Electronics)

I realize there IS no "perfect point and shoot camera". I suppose there can not be a PERFECT small camera due to the small size.
In recent months I have owned TOO many small point and shoot cameras including..the older Canon SD950, a Fuji F100FD, a Panasonic TZ5, Even an Olympus 1010 model..and lastly bought a new discontinued Fuji F30 off e-bay for indoor low light shooting. I am sort of running my own private consumer reports situation it seems. :)

This SD 990IS is maybe the best OVERALL point and Shoot I ever had. But, instead of all the usual glowing remarks Canon Elphs seem to get..I want to point out a few negatives or inconsistencies with this camera. I mostly bought this camera because of the new function..FACE SELF TIMER seemed like a GREAT and useful idea as I take more pics with my g/f, or friends, dog, whatever..on timer than anything else. Long story short Face Detection works THE best on this 990 of ANY other camera I have ever used. It's nearly flawless INDOORS. However I tend to use this Canon more OUTDOORS. Problem is is in rather bright sunshine like MANY cameras, Face detection has trouble. Simply, often it doe NOT detect a face..and won't detect the second face either. This is only in rather strong sunshine..otherwise Face detection and Face Self timer DOES work and works rather well. The lens is OK, but on such an expensive elph I feel there should be less purple fringing THOUGH it's not BAD..but it IS there...and also indoors ISO set above 250 or so tends to get a bit grainy. So much so, I set the megapixels to 10..thereby why did I need a 14.7 meg camera??

I have also noted to my eyes this camera is not producing the almost too vivid colors of most canons...DEEP greens...Deep blues. But I actually feel the colors produced by this camera are perhaps more natural than almost any point and shoot I have had so that's a good thing. Also a positive..this camera handles blown highlights (Too BRIGHT) and dark shadows better than most. To sum up..this IS a really good camera with REALLY useful features WHEN they work, ala face detection in bright sun.

I feel Canon and just about all the point and shoot cams presently out there are WAY too concerned about who's got the most meagapixels. I'd much MUCH prefer a camera closer to my OLDER Fuji F30 which BLOWS the doors of this Canon in low light no flash) WITH JUST 6 MEGAPIXELS..then a nearly 15 meagpixel camera with too much noise. The Fuji's lens sadly has THE most purple fringing outdoors of any cam I have tried, hence my search has continued. To sum up..in today's market..perhaps this 990is may be about the best OVERALL small cam out there..but as I pointed out..if you are rather picky..it has a few flaws and I feel it is a bit overpriced...BUT also a VERY good camera which will make most people quite happy. It has a nice metal body..and the battery lasts a LONG time..another plus!

63 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful Little Gem, November 14, 2008

By 

Alan Levine (Arizona) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Canon Powershot SD990IS 14.7MP Digital Camera with 3.7x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black) (Electronics)

I got the early version of this camera in Japan, sold as the IXY 3000 IS and am head over heels in love; this replaces an SD800IS which was a long time favorite. The new one got my attention for the whopping 14.7 MP as I have been using this for taking panoramas on a GigaPan rig - [...]-- and more pixels count for much there. Plus there is the full manual (focus and exposure modes). And then there was the thrill of getting a new camera a few weeks before it was available in the US.

Mine is set up with an 8GB SD HC card, which feels infinite.

I've been very happy with the quality, and I do a lot of macro shots, posting hundreds on my flickr site [...]

The new QuickShot mode is nice- to shoot through viewfinder where you want the quickest response time. And a bonus is a long overlooked feature- an on screen battery level indicator. There is a small button where you can instantly go to view mode, rather than flipping the shooting mode. Face focussing is very handy. Video quality is superb. Having the camera stitch mode (used for getting good overlap for single row panoramas) on the presets selection is great. And w00t! It uses the same NB-5L battery, so I now have more spares.

My negatives are minor- the black style is slick, but the plastic shell feels a little cheap/flimsy, but the camera is sturdy. My biggest gripe is the latch on the battery/SD card compartment comes open easily in your bag or your pocket; the one on the SD800 never popped open on its own. The latch for the USB dock too is odd, it is hard to figure out where the hinge part is, and I always feel like I am going to do it wrong and break it off.

Spinning the lower selection wheel takes some dexterity; so setting the aperture and f/stops in manual mode is going to take some time to be a smooth process.

I've never bought a camera just because it has a large resolution, but I am shooting 4416x3312, better than my first generation Digital Rebel.

I am in love with this little camera!

69 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great camera, but some problems, February 11, 2009

By 

Mark Twain "jack" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Canon Powershot SD990IS 14.7MP Digital Camera with 3.7x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black) (Electronics)

I have been using Canon cameras for many years and have been very happy with them. This new model has some annoying new problems. The on-off button is very hard to operate, its nearly impossible to operate without both hands and a strong finger depressing the button with absolute force and spot-on accuracy. Why did they change this feature that was not giving any problems in the past?? The new Quik Shot mode does not seem to me to be that much better to deserve a separate mode. Sure, we need to have as fast a shot as possible, but this one is not much faster and of course you can't see what you are shooting. As far as I can tell there is no more Slow-synchro setting as in previous models. If its there, its buried and I haven't found it yet. That was the one feature I used most in the past, now its gone. I must admit the ISO3200 setting in the 'Scenes' mode is a nice substitute, but does not give the same motion effects as you could get with the older Slow Synchro mode of the past models. I do like the design and the black finish, its definitely a pleasure to hold and I have gotten comments on the design. The new "face recognition" feature on the timed shutter release is very nice when it works, which is about 75% of the time. when it doesn't work, get used to standing there for 30 secs before the shutter goes, then be prepared to have three shots go in rapid, i mean very rapid succsssion... which might come in handy for group shots where someone may have eyes closed on one shot, but not the next. All in all its a great camera, the only really annoying feature is the on-off button which I hope they get rid of in the next upgrade.

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