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Canon N vs Sony S980

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
33
Overall
34
Canon PowerShot N front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Canon N vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Canon N
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 195g - 79 x 60 x 29mm
  • Launched January 2013
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 N vs Sony S980 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Canon N and Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the N (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is pretty close and both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The N was revealed 3 years later than the S980 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a full comparison, here is a short summary of how the N grades against the S980 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon N over the Sony S980

 N S980 
IntroducedJanuary 2013February 2009More recent by 48 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions2.8"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.1")
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Canon N

 S980 N 
Manually focus Dial exact focus

Common features in the Canon N and Sony S980

 N S980 

Canon N vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon N has external measurements of 79mm x 60mm x 29mm (3.1" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs) while the Sony S980 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon N and Sony S980 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the N compared to the S980.

Canon N vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the N and S980 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Canon N vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Canon N vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements only by viewing specifications. The visual below may give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the N and S980.

Plainly, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the identical megapixels and you should expect comparable quality of photographs although you may want to factor the release date of the cameras into account. The fresher N should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Canon N vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Canon N vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Canon N Portrait photography information
Sony S980 Portrait photography information
21
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
27
manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon N as a Street photography camera
Sony S980 as a Street photography camera
65
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon N
Sports photography with Sony S980
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (200 shots)
no phase detect AF
17
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon N as a Travel photography camera
Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
61
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
fairly wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
bad battery life (200 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon N as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S980 as a Landscape photography camera
36
fairly wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (2.8 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not available
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
bad battery life (200 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
27
manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon N
Vlogging with Sony S980
72
fairly wide (28mm)
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
missing external mic support
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone port
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Canon N vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon N and Sony S980
 Canon PowerShot NSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot N Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-01-07 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 5 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 2248 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-224mm (8.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.8 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech PureColor II G touch -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 3.50 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 ( 240 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format 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 195 grams (0.43 pounds) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 79 x 60 x 29mm (3.1" x 2.4" x 1.1") 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 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-9L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $299 $300