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Canon A3200 IS vs Sony S980

Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Canon PowerShot A3200 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Canon A3200 IS vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Canon A3200 IS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F) lens
  • 149g - 95 x 57 x 24mm
  • Revealed January 2011
Sony S980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Announced February 2009
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Canon A3200 IS vs Sony S980 Overview

Its time to look a little more closely at the Canon A3200 IS versus Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Canon and Sony. The resolution of the A3200 IS (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is fairly well matched and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The A3200 IS was released 23 months after the S980 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a in-depth comparison, below is a short summation of how the A3200 IS grades versus the S980 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary

				

Reasons to pick Canon A3200 IS over the Sony S980

 A3200 IS S980 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011February 2009Newer by 23 months

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Canon A3200 IS

 S980 A3200 IS 
Manually focus More precise focusing

Common features in the Canon A3200 IS and Sony S980

 A3200 IS S980 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Canon A3200 IS vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon A3200 IS enjoys exterior measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 149 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Analyze the Canon A3200 IS versus Sony S980 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at the time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the A3200 IS vs the S980.

Canon A3200 IS vs Sony S980 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the A3200 IS and S980 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Canon A3200 IS vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3200 IS vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to envision the gap between sensor dimensions just by looking at specifications. The pic below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the A3200 IS and S980.

To sum up, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Canon A3200 IS to resolve greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The younger A3200 IS is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Canon A3200 IS vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Canon A3200 IS vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3200 IS vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3200 IS Portrait photography details
Sony S980 Portrait photography details
33
MP count good (14MP)
offers face detect focus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
27
has manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon A3200 IS Street photography features
Sony S980 Street photography features
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
47
no moving screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3200 IS Sports photography information
Sony S980 Sports photography information
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
17
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3200 IS as a Travel photography camera
Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
72
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f)
lack of Timelapse function
does not offer selfie friendly display
51
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3200 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S980 as a Landscape photography camera
42
fairly wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
27
has manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3200 IS Vlogging advice
Sony S980 Vlogging advice
34
fairly wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
does not offer selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone support
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic socket
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Canon A3200 IS vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3200 IS and Sony S980
 Canon PowerShot A3200 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot A3200 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 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 dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - 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 size 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.00 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Smart Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE 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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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 149 gr (0.33 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 95 x 57 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" 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 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HCMMCplus Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $230 $300