Canon A800 vs Sony S980
93 Imaging
33 Features
19 Overall
27
94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Canon A800 vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 37-122mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
- 186g - 94 x 61 x 31mm
- Introduced 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
- Introduced February 2009
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Here is a in-depth analysis of the Canon A800 and Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Canon and Sony. The resolution of the A800 (10MP) and the S980 (12MP) is relatively comparable and they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope CameraThe A800 was launched 23 months later than the S980 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief view of how the A800 grades versus the S980 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot A800 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The complete galleries are provided at Canon A800 Gallery & Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A800 over the Sony S980
| A800 | S980 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | January 2011 | February 2009 | Fresher by 23 months |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Canon A800
| S980 | A800 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Dial accurate focusing | |||
| Screen sizing | 2.7" | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.2") | |
| Screen resolution | 230k | 115k | Sharper screen (+115k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A800 and Sony S980
| A800 | S980 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Selfie screen | Missing selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly screen | Neither includes Touch friendly screen |
Canon A800 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to carry your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and size. The Canon A800 features exterior measurements of 94mm x 61mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 186 grams (0.41 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Check out the Canon A800 and Sony S980 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at the time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the A800 compared to the S980.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the A800 and S980 is 93 and 94 respectively.
Canon A800 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
Often, it can be difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizing simply by checking out a spec sheet. The photograph here will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the A800 and S980.
Clearly, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Sony S980 to show extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The more modern A800 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.
Canon A800 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon A800 vs Sony S980 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot A800 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Canon | Sony |
| Model | Canon PowerShot A800 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
| Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
| Introduced | 2011-01-05 | 2009-02-17 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | DIGIC 3 | - |
| 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 surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
| Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW pictures | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detection AF | ||
| Contract detection AF | ||
| Phase detection AF | ||
| Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 37-122mm (3.3x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
| Maximal aperture | f/3.0-5.8 | f/3.3-5.2 |
| Macro focus range | 1cm | 10cm |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen diagonal | 2.5 inch | 2.7 inch |
| Resolution of screen | 115 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch display | ||
| Screen tech | TFT LCD | - |
| 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/s | 1.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | 3.00 m | 3.50 m |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | Motion JPEG | 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 | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 186g (0.41 pounds) | 167g (0.37 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 94 x 61 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 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 | 300 shots | - |
| Form of battery | AA | - |
| Battery model | 2 x AA | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HCMMCplus | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
| Card slots | One | One |
| Price at release | $90 | $300 |