Canon A1200 vs Sony S980
92 Imaging
35 Features
19 Overall
28
94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Canon A1200 vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 185g - 98 x 63 x 31mm
- Released January 2011
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
- 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
- Released February 2009
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video Canon A1200 vs Sony S980 Overview
Below is a in depth overview of the Canon A1200 versus Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Sony. The resolution of the A1200 (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is pretty similar and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe A1200 was manufactured 23 months later than the S980 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving in to a complete comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the A1200 grades versus the S980 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Below is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot A1200 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The entire galleries are available at Canon A1200 Gallery and Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A1200 over the Sony S980
| A1200 | S980 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | January 2011 | February 2009 | More recent by 23 months |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Canon A1200
| S980 | A1200 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Dial accurate focusing |
Common features in the Canon A1200 and Sony S980
| A1200 | S980 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen sizing | 2.7" | 2.7" | Equivalent screen dimensions | |
| Screen resolution | 230k | 230k | Equal screen resolution | |
| Selfie screen | Neither includes selfie screen | |||
| Touch screen | Neither includes Touch screen |
Canon A1200 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to lug around your camera, you'll need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon A1200 features exterior dimensions of 98mm x 63mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") having a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) while the Sony S980 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Look at the Canon A1200 versus Sony S980 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at the time. Below is the front view size comparison of the A1200 and the S980.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A1200 and S980 is 92 and 94 respectively.
Canon A1200 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it can be difficult to see the gap between sensor measurements purely by going over technical specs. The visual below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the A1200 and S980.
As you have seen, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the identical megapixels so you should expect similar quality of images however you would want to take the production date of the products into consideration. The newer A1200 will have an edge in sensor innovation.
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Canon A1200 vs Sony S980 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot A1200 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Canon | Sony |
| Model | Canon PowerShot A1200 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
| Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
| Released | 2011-01-05 | 2009-02-17 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology | - |
| Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
| Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW format | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| AF touch | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| AF single | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detect focusing | ||
| Contract detect focusing | ||
| Phase detect focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | f/3.3-5.2 |
| Macro focus distance | 3cm | 10cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display diagonal | 2.7 inch | 2.7 inch |
| Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch friendly | ||
| Display tech | TFT LCD | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Optical (tunnel) | None |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 15s | 2s |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/1600s |
| Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames per second | 1.0 frames per second |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | 4.00 m | 3.50 m |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
| Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
| Microphone port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 185g (0.41 lbs) | 167g (0.37 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 98 x 63 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 1.2") | 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around score | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 200 photographs | - |
| Battery type | AA | - |
| Battery model | 2 x AA | - |
| Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HCMMCplus | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Cost at launch | $109 | $300 |