Canon A3200 IS vs Sony S980
95 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34


94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Canon A3200 IS vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon A3200 IS vs Sony S980 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot A3200 IS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The complete galleries are provided at Canon A3200 IS Gallery & Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A3200 IS over the Sony S980
A3200 IS | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Equivalent display measurement |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3200 IS vs Sony S980 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A3200 IS | Sony 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 |