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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SD980 IS

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SD980 IS Key Specs

Canon A3100 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F2.7-5.6) lens
  • 165g - 97 x 58 x 28mm
  • Launched January 2010
Canon SD980 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 150g - 100 x 53 x 23mm
  • Introduced August 2009
  • Also referred to as Digital IXUS 200 IS
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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SD980 IS Overview

Lets look much closer at the Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SD980 IS, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both of them are offered by Canon. The image resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the SD980 IS (12MP) is pretty similar and both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The A3100 IS was released 5 months after the SD980 IS which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a brief summary of how the A3100 IS grades vs the SD980 IS in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Canon SD980 IS

 A3100 IS SD980 IS 

Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Canon A3100 IS

 SD980 IS A3100 IS 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Canon SD980 IS

 A3100 IS SD980 IS 
IntroducedJanuary 2010August 2009Similar generation
Manually focus No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SD980 IS Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon A3100 IS offers exterior dimensions of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) and the Canon SD980 IS has proportions of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs).

Look at the Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SD980 IS in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have during that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the A3100 IS against the SD980 IS.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SD980 IS size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A3100 IS and SD980 IS is 94 and 95 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SD980 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SD980 IS Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to see the difference between sensor sizes just by going over technical specs. The image underneath should give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3100 IS and SD980 IS.

As you have seen, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the identical MP therefore you should expect similar quality of pictures though you should really consider the production date of the products into consideration.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SD980 IS sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SD980 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SD980 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Canon SD980 IS as a Portrait photography camera
20
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
20
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Street photography camera
Canon SD980 IS as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Sports photography camera
Canon SD980 IS as a Sports photography camera
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Travel photography camera
Canon SD980 IS as a Travel photography camera
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
58
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
missing Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon A3100 IS
Landscape photography with Canon SD980 IS
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
38
pretty wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Vlogging camera
Canon SD980 IS as a Vlogging camera
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
missing microphone jack
30
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone socket
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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SD980 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Canon SD980 IS
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISCanon PowerShot SD980 IS
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Canon PowerShot SD980 IS
Also called as - Digital IXUS 200 IS
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-01-05 2009-08-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Digic 4
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 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus distance 3cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/3000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 6.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG H.264
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 165 grams (0.36 lb) 150 grams (0.33 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 model NB-8L NB-6L
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $159 -