Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

In a market saturated with point-and-shoot models, manufacturers are adding every bell and whistle in the book--touch screens, waterproofing, high-def video recording, and more--to get their cameras to stand out from the overpacked crowd. The Canon PowerShot SD990 IS skips the hoopla in favor of three simple ideas: full manual operation, lightning-fast operation, and top-notch image quality. And with a sticker of $399.99 (list), simplicity doesn't come cheap--in fact, the SD990 IS the most expensive model in Canon's point-and-shoot lineup.

The SD990 IS is the successor to the highly rated canon fc 226. Other than a bump up from 12.1 megapixels to 14.7, the lens and housing on this model are very similar to its predecessor's. While most manufacturers have shifted to wider-angle lenses, Canon gives the SD990 IS the SD950 IS's 3.7X optical zoom with a focal range of 7.7mm to28.5mm (35mm equivalent: 36mm to 133mm), with corresponding maximum f-stops of f/2.8 and f/5.8. Available in black or silver, the SD990 IS is stylish and comfortable to hold thanks to its ergonomic curves. At 6.6 ounces and 2.45 by 3.81 by 1.10 inches (HWD), though, it is a bit on the chunky side.

Flip the SD990 IS over to find the LCD, viewfinder, and controls (except the power button, jumbo shutter release, and zoom trigger, which are all on top). There's also a scrolling dial wheel that encircles the four main feature buttons. All the camera's controls are firm to the touch and comfortable to use. Even on a bright day the LCD delivers. Though a 2.5-inch display seems a bit small these days, this one packs 230,000 pixels to provide clarity, crisp images, punchy colors, and little motion blur. The screen on the SD990 IS is a far cry from the subpar ones you'll find on the Olympus Stylus 1030SW and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX37. What's more, you also have the viewfinder for framing shots.

What really sets the SD990 IS apart are its manual settings. While in manual mode, the camera offers full control over shutter speed and aperture. And it displays a "correct exposure meter" to help you tweak your shots--features typically found only on high-end superzoom and D-SLR models. The scrolling dial allows you to zip quickly through the 45 available shutter speeds. You can also adjust the focus and flash levels when in manual mode. Pros will certainly appreciate this kind of freedom in a point-and-shoot camera.

On the flip side, Canon could have catered more to the needs of amateur users. Though the SD990 IS does feature an Auto mode for default settings of white balance, ISO, flash, and so forth, Canon opted not to include the dead-simple Easy mode found on the entry-level PowerShot A1000 IS. With the A1000's Easy mode, the only option you're given is to turn the flash on or off. All the camera's other buttons are locked, all the quality settings are set to high, and all the other parameters (white balance, ISO, focus) are locked on auto. Easy mode is a great failsafe feature I would have liked to have seen here, but since the SD990 IS isn't an entry-level model, this isn't a major gripe.

If you've ever owned a Canon before, you'll notice a slight change in the interface: The icons on the SD990 IS are shaded to create a 3D effect. The interface is simple, straightforward--it's easy to move around in it quickly--but, again, there's no guidance for beginners. The Olympus Stylus 1050 SW offers a Guide mode that uses pictures to illustrate different scene modes.