Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

The Canon PowerShot SD990 IS is Canon's highest resolution ultracompact to date, featuring a 14.7 megapixel sensor derived from the advanced G10 compact. A 3.7x stabilized Canon lens handles optical chores on this PowerShot, and there's a 2.5 inch PureColor II LCD and an optical viewfinder out back.

Canon PowerShot SD990 (aka IXUS 980) IS features 14.7 megapixels CCD sensor, 3.7x optical zoom (35mm film equivalent: 36-133mm) with Image Stabilizer, DIGIC 4 Image Processor, Quick mode to minimize shutter lag, Intelligent contrast detection, Face detection, ISO 80-1600, and a 2.5-inch TFT pure-color LCD. The camera measures 3.81 x 2.45 x 1.10 in./96.7 x 62.2 x 27.9mm and weighs Approx. 5.64 oz./160g available in black & silver.

• Sensor : 14.7 megapixel, 1/1.7" CCD
• Lens/Zoom : 3.7x (36-133mm) zoom lens, f/2.8-5.8
• LCD/Viewfinder : 2.5", 230K-pixel PureColor II LCD; optical viewfinder
• Shutter Speed : 15-1/1600 seconds
• Metering Modes : Evaluative, Center, Spot
• Focus Modes: AiAF, Spot AF (Center or Face Detect and Track)
• Drive Modes : Normal, Continuous, Self Timer
• Memory Formats :SD, SDHC
• Max. Image Size :4416x3312

Despite the improvements on its predecessor, I can't help but feel that Canon dropped the ball a bit with the SD990, especially when price is factored in. Unless you simply can't live without an optical viewfinder or extensive manual controls, I see little reason to spend the extra bucks on the SD990. I'd go for the $270 PowerShot SD880--and put the savings into your vacation fund.