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Manual Control Options
The Canon PowerShot SD990 IS offers both a Program and full Manual mode. Rotating the dial will allow you to switch between the two. All of the options under the Function Set menu are available in either manual mode with one exception. In Program mode the computer sets shutter speed and aperture automatically. In full Manual mode, shutter speed and aperture are up to you. Either way, you need to enter a menu to make these adjustments, which means it's not quite as handy as the dedicated buttons and dials available on higher end devices like the Canon G10.
In full manual mode you get shutterspeed and aperture controls.
Focus
Manual focus is available when you are in manual mode, but like the Canon PowerShot SD990 IS's other manual features it's not particularly easy to use. To access manual focus you press left on the 4-way controller, which allows you to select from normal, two macro modes and manual focus. Selecting the last option allows you to adjust focus manually using up/down on the 4-way. Don't make a mistake and rotate the dial, however instinctively logical that may appear, since it will switch you to one of the other control options.
As we've seen on other Canon cameras, you get a focus assist when adjusting the manually, zooming in on the center of the screen so can better judge the degree of sharpness you've attained..
Auto focus assist zooms in on the scene when you are using manual focus.
ISO
In Auto mode you can only choose between Auto ISO and High ISO. In manual mode you can choose an ISO between 80 and 1600. Either way you access the feature by pressing up on the 4-way controller. Under custom image presets there's also the option to record at ISO 3200, but this drops image resolution down to 3 megapixels.
ISO 80 - 1600 can be selected in manual modes.
White Balance
The Canon PowerShot SD990 IS offers the typical array of white balance options, but only when you are in manual mode. Go into the Function Set menu by hitting the center select button of the 4-way controller to access white balance and choose from Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H and Custom. The last allows you to manually set white balance by shooting a white card.
The white balance options are found in the Function Set menu.
Metering
Metering options are also found in the Function Set menu. The metering options are evaluative, center-weighted and spot.
Shutter Speed.
The Canon PowerShot SD990 IS offers a shutter speed range from 15 to 1/1600, decent for a point and shoot at the price. As with most advanced features, the camera will make settings automatically unless you're in full Manual mode.
Aperture
The Canon PowerShot SD990 IS's aperture range is f/2.8 - f/8.0 when zoomed out and f/5.8 - f/16 when zoomed in. As with shutter speed this can only be adjusted via the Function Set menu when in full manual mode.
Image Stabilization
The Canon PowerShot SD990 IS offers optical image stabilization, as expected in today's midrange cameras..
Picture Quality / Size Options
There are three image quality settings on the Canon PowerShot SD990 IS: Normal, Fine and SuperFine. The size options range from Large 4,416 x 3,312 down to 640 x 480, with three additional options in between. There's also a widescreen option for 4,416 x 2,480, but no support for shooting RAW.
Picture Effects Mode
Picture effects can be applied before capturing your image and are called My Color under the Function Set menu. Press in on the center select button of the 4-way to access this feature. The available effects are Vivid, Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, Vivid Red, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Positive Film, Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone and Custom.
During playback your editing options include rotate, resize, crop, adding My Color filter effects, contrast adjustment, red-eye correction and attaching sound memos.
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Conclusion