Canon SD990 IS has a
15.0MP 1/1.7-inch (7.44 x 5.58 mm ) sized CCD sensor . On the other hand, Nikon A10 has a
16.0MP 1/2.3' (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CCD sensor .
Below you can see the SD990 IS and A10 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Canon SD990 IS and Nikon A10 Cameras
As seen above, Canon SD990 IS has a 1.5x Larger sensor area than Nikon A10. Larger sensors give photographer more control on the depth of field and blurry background compared to smaller sensor when shot in same focal length and aperture.
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Canon SD990 IS
or the
Nikon A10 ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
(1/1.7-inch versus 1/2.3' ),
so compare them at the same framing rather than the same focal length.
Put the same focal length on the smaller sensor and it will show less depth of
field, not more, because it also crops tighter. The calculator shows the
full frame equivalent focal length for each body so you can match the framing.
