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Canon G16 vs Sony S980

Portability
85
Imaging
38
Features
62
Overall
47
Canon PowerShot G16 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Canon G16 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Canon G16
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 356g - 109 x 76 x 40mm
  • Launched November 2013
  • Replaced the Canon G15
Sony S980
(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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Canon G16 vs Sony S980 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Canon G16 and Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Sony. The resolution of the G16 (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is relatively well matched but the G16 (1/1.7") and S980 (1/2.3") come with different sensor sizes.

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The G16 was revealed 4 years after the S980 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the G16 matches up vs the S980 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon G16 over the Sony S980

 G16 S980 
IntroducedNovember 2013February 2009More modern by 59 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper screen (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Canon G16

 S980 G16 

Common features in the Canon G16 and Sony S980

 G16 S980 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Canon G16 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and size. The Canon G16 comes with outer dimensions of 109mm x 76mm x 40mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 1.6") with a weight of 356 grams (0.78 lbs) while the Sony S980 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Canon G16 and Sony S980 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the G16 and the S980.

Canon G16 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the G16 and S980 is 85 and 94 respectively.

Canon G16 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Canon G16 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to picture the difference between sensor sizes purely by reading through specs. The image underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the G16 and S980.

All in all, both cameras have got the exact same megapixel count albeit different sensor sizes. The G16 features the bigger sensor which will make obtaining shallow depth of field simpler. The younger G16 provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Canon G16 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Canon G16 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G16 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon G16
Portrait photography with Sony S980
49
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000 seconds)
offers face detection focusing
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
27
has manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon G16
Street photography with Sony S980
58
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
heavier than competitors in class (356 grams)
47
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon G16 Sports photography information
Sony S980 Sports photography information
44
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (360 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
has no phase detect AF
17
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon G16 as a Travel photography camera
Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
64
better than average battery pack (360 shots)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
heavier than competitors in class (356 grams)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
51
flash built-in
missing Timelapse recording
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon G16 Landscape photography factors
Sony S980 Landscape photography factors
58
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (360 CIPA)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
27
has manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon G16 Vlogging details
Sony S980 Vlogging details
33
pretty wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic support
heavier than competitors in class (356 grams)
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone port
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Canon G16 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G16 and Sony S980
 Canon PowerShot G16Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot G16 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-11-25 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/1.8-2.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 922 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT PureColor II G LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Viewfinder coverage 80% -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 12.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/2000 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 or 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 356 gr (0.78 lbs) 167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 109 x 76 x 40mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 1.6") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 230 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-10L -
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
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $499 $300