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Canon A3500 IS vs Sony S980

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Canon A3500 IS vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Canon A3500 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 135g - 98 x 56 x 20mm
  • Revealed January 2013
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
  • Launched February 2009
Photography Glossary

Canon A3500 IS vs Sony S980 Overview

Lets look closer at the Canon A3500 IS vs Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the A3500 IS (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but they use the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The A3500 IS was unveiled 3 years after the S980 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a full comparison, below is a short introduction of how the A3500 IS grades versus the S980 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Sony S980

 A3500 IS S980 
LaunchedJanuary 2013February 2009Newer by 48 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Canon A3500 IS

 S980 A3500 IS 
Focus manually More accurate focus

Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Sony S980

 A3500 IS S980 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Canon A3500 IS vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon A3500 IS provides outer dimensions of 98mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Sony S980 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Analyze the Canon A3500 IS vs Sony S980 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have at that moment. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the A3500 IS compared to the S980.

Canon A3500 IS vs Sony S980 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the A3500 IS and S980 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to envision the gap in sensor dimensions merely by looking through specifications. The image here should provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3500 IS and S980.

To sum up, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Canon A3500 IS to provide you with greater detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images much more aggressively. The newer A3500 IS is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon A3500 IS vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3500 IS vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Portrait photography details
Sony S980 Portrait photography details
34
MP count decent (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
27
has manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Street photography information
Sony S980 Street photography information
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
features touch focus
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
47
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon A3500 IS
Sports photography with Sony S980
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
provides tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (200 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
17
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon A3500 IS
Travel photography with Sony S980
68
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
features touch focus
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
no Timelapse function
low battery pack (200 per charge)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
resolution not great (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Landscape photography details
Sony S980 Landscape photography details
41
really wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
low battery pack (200 CIPA)
no Timelapse function
27
has manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Vlogging info
Sony S980 Vlogging info
34
really wide (28mm)
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (135g)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone support
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic support
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Canon A3500 IS vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3500 IS and Sony S980
 Canon PowerShot A3500 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot A3500 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-01-07 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 4 -
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 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support
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)
Max aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 3cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 135g (0.30 pounds) 167g (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 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 life 200 shots -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-11L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $115 $300