Olympus SZ-11 vs Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot SD990 IS
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Olympus SZ-11 and the Canon PowerShot SD990 IS, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Olympus SZ-11 was introduced in July 2011 and Canon PowerShot SD990 IS was introduced in September 2008. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Olympus SZ-11 Highlights

      • 14 MP 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor
      • 80 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 460k dot Fixed Screen
      • 7.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Canon PowerShot SD990 IS Highlights

      • 14.7 MP 1/1.7-inch CCD Sensor
      • 80 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • Image Stabilization
      • 2.50" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (tunnel) Viewfinder
      • 1.3 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 640 x 480 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Olympus SZ-11
      4. Advantage of Canon PowerShot SD990 IS
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Olympus SZ-11 and Canon PowerShot SD990 IS.

      PROS

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

      •   Video Capture
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)
      •   Internal Storage
      •   Video Capture
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec
      •   Light - 205 g (0.45 lb / 7.23 oz)
      •   Internal Storage
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14.7 Megapixel
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/1600 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.3 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 640 x 480
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   Screen Size - 2.50"

      Advantage of Olympus SZ-11

      Olympus SZ-11
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Olympus SZ-11 over Canon PowerShot SD990 IS.

      Olympus SZ-11 vs Canon PowerShot SD990 IS
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Reaches Wider Angle 25 mm vs 36 mm
      Reachs More Telephoto 500 mm vs 133 mm
      Greater Optical Zoom 20x vs 3.7x
      Min Macro Focus Distance 1 cm vs 5 cm
      Larger Screen 3.0" vs 2.50"
      Higher Resolution Screen 460k dot vs 230k dot
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/2000 sec vs 1/1600 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 7.0 fps vs 1.3 fps
      AF-Area Metering vs
      Higher Video Resolution 1280 x 720 vs 640 x 480
      Internal Storage 59 MB vs 32 MB

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Olympus SZ-11.

      Olympus SZ-10
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      1/2.3-inch

      14 MP

      Olympus SZ-12
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      1/2.3-inch

      14 MP

      Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Olympus SZ-15
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Olympus SZ-30MR
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Olympus SZ-16 iHS
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Olympus FE-4030
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.33-inch

      14 MP

      Canon R100
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      24.1 MP

      Pentax W80
      Image cannot be found

      1/2.33-inch

      12.10 MP

      Canon D30
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      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Olympus TG-860
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Pentax WS80
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      1/2.3-inch

      10.00 MP

      Advantage of Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

      Canon SD990 IS
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Canon PowerShot SD990 IS over Olympus SZ-11.

      Olympus SZ-11 vs Canon PowerShot SD990 IS
      Larger Sensor 1/2.3-inch vs 1/1.7-inch
      Higher Sensor Resolution 14 Megapixel vs 14.7 Megapixel
      Max Image Resolution 4288 x 3216 vs 4416 x 3312
      Timelapse Recording vs
      Maximum Aperture at Wide End f/3.0 vs f/2.8
      Maximum Aperture at Tele End f/6.9 vs f/5.8
      Min Normal Focus Distance 60 cm vs 50 cm
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 4 sec vs 15 sec
      Center Weighted Metering vs
      Lighter 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz) vs 205 g (0.45 lb / 7.23 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Canon PowerShot SD990 IS.

      Canon SD960 IS
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      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon SD940 IS
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      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon SD970 IS
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      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon SD980 IS
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      1/2.3-inch

      12.1 MP

      Canon 7D II
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      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Canon R6 II
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      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Sony a6400
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Canon R7
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      APS-C

      32.5 MP

      Sony a7R III
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      Full Frame

      42.4 MP

      Fujifilm IS Pro
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      APS-C

      6 MP

      Sony WX300
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      1/2.3-inch

      18.2 MP

      Canon R8
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      Full Frame

      24.2 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Olympus SZ-11 Canon PowerShot SD990 IS
        Video Capture
        Low Native ISO8080
        High Native ISO1,6001,600
        Face Detection
        Live View Autofocus
        Image Stabilization
        Built-in Flash
        Light226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)205 g (0.45 lb / 7.23 oz)
        Internal Storage59 MB32 MB
      WEAKNESSES Olympus SZ-11 Canon PowerShot SD990 IS
        Small Sensor1/2.3-inch1/1.7-inch
        Low Resolution Sensor14 Megapixel14.7 Megapixel
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen460k dot230k dot
        Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain)1/2000 sec1/1600 sec
        No External Flash Connectivity
        Low Video Resolution1280 x 720640 x 480
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Olympus SZ-11 has a 3.0" screen with 460k dot resolution and Canon PowerShot SD990 IS has a 2.50" screen with 230k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Optical (tunnel) Viewfinder on Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

      Canon PowerShot SD990 IS has a built-in Optical (tunnel) viewfinder. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Olympus SZ-11.

      Sensor

      Olympus SZ-11 features a 14 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 28.1 mm2. Its native ISO range is 80 - 1,600. Canon PowerShot SD990 IS features a 14.7 megapixel 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 7.44 x 5.58 mm and a total area of 31.1 mm2. Its native ISO range is 80 - 1,600.

      Photography Features

      Olympus SZ-11 is equipped with TruePic III+ processor and can take pictures up to 4288 x 3216 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4288 x 2416, 3264 x 2448, 2560 x 1920, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480 with 4:3, 16:9 aspect ratios. Canon PowerShot SD990 IS can take pictures up to 4416 x 3312 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3648 x 2736, 3072 x 2304, 2560 x 1920, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480, 4416 x 2480 with 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.


      Image Stabilization

      The cameras have a built-in [y] image stabilization.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Olympus SZ-11 comes with LI-50B battery pack with battery life of 200 shots and Canon PowerShot SD990 IS comes with NB-5L battery pack.


      External Storage Slots

      Olympus SZ-11 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. Canon PowerShot SD990 IS has a single SD/SDHC/MMC card card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/2000 sec on Olympus SZ-11, and up to 1/1600 sec on Canon PowerShot SD990 IS. Olympus SZ-11 can shoot continuously up to 7.0 fps. Canon PowerShot SD990 IS can shoot continuously up to 1.3 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 9.30 m @ ISO 1600 on Olympus SZ-11 and 4.60 m on Canon PowerShot SD990 IS. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/500 sec on Canon PowerShot SD990 IS.

      Physical Parameters

      Olympus SZ-11 body has dimensions of 106 x 69 x 40 mm (4.17 x 2.72 x 1.57") and Canon PowerShot SD990 IS body has dimensions of 98 x 62 x 28 mm (3.86 x 2.44 x 1.1"). Olympus SZ-11 weighs 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz) and Canon PowerShot SD990 IS weighs 205 g (0.45 lb / 7.23 oz).

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

      106 mm

      69 mm

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      98 mm

      62 mm

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      69 mm

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      62 mm

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      Size comparisons of Olympus SZ-11 and Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

      Olympus SZ-11 and Canon PowerShot SD990 IS for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

      POOR
      48
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      POOR
      52
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots
      AVERAGE
      67
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.3 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

      AVERAGE
      63
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots
      AVERAGE
      62
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.3 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

      GOOD
      70
      •   Small Sensor
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      GOOD
      73
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.50"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

      GOOD
      83
      •   Small Sensor
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)
      EXCELLENT
      85
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 205 g (0.45 lb / 7.23 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

      EXCELLENT
      85
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots
      EXCELLENT
      87
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 640 x 480
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 205 g (0.45 lb / 7.23 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Olympus SZ-11 and Canon PowerShot SD990 IS and give both of them the score of 53 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

      OVERALL
      53
      OVERALL
      53

      Sensor

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

      POOR
      46
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14 Megapixel
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      POOR
      51
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14.7 Megapixel
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

      AVERAGE
      60
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      AVERAGE
      63
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/1600 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.3 fps
      •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Video

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

      POOR
      43
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      POOR
      41
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 640 x 480

      Focusing

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

      AVERAGE
      68
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      GOOD
      70
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

      POOR
      53
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      POOR
      50
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.50"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot

      Connectivity

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

      AVERAGE
      55
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      BAD
      38
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Olympus SZ-11

      Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 200 shots
      •   Internal Storage
      POOR
      48
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 205 g (0.45 lb / 7.23 oz)
      •   Internal Storage


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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