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Canon S100 vs Canon SD980 IS

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
48
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot S100 front
 
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31

Canon S100 vs Canon SD980 IS Key Specs

Canon S100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.0-5.9) lens
  • 198g - 99 x 60 x 28mm
  • Announced December 2011
  • Previous Model is Canon S95
  • Newer Model is Canon S110
Canon SD980 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 150g - 100 x 53 x 23mm
  • Announced August 2009
  • Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 200 IS
Photography Glossary

Canon S100 vs Canon SD980 IS Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Canon S100 vs Canon SD980 IS, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and both of them are offered by Canon. The sensor resolution of the S100 (12MP) and the SD980 IS (12MP) is fairly close but the S100 (1/1.7") and SD980 IS (1/2.3") offer different sensor measurements.

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The S100 was unveiled 2 years later than the SD980 IS and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise summary of how the S100 grades against the SD980 IS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon S100 over the Canon SD980 IS

 S100 SD980 IS 
AnnouncedDecember 2011August 2009Fresher by 29 months
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Canon S100

 SD980 IS S100 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Canon S100 and Canon SD980 IS

 S100 SD980 IS 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Canon S100 vs Canon SD980 IS Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Canon S100 provides exterior dimensions of 99mm x 60mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) while the Canon SD980 IS has sizing of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs).

Check out the Canon S100 vs Canon SD980 IS in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the S100 and the SD980 IS.

Canon S100 vs Canon SD980 IS size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S100 and SD980 IS is 93 and 95 respectively.

Canon S100 vs Canon SD980 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon S100 vs Canon SD980 IS Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to picture the difference in sensor sizing merely by looking through a spec sheet. The visual underneath should provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S100 and SD980 IS.

As you can see, both the cameras feature the identical megapixels but different sensor sizing. The S100 features the larger sensor which will make getting bokeh easier. The more recent S100 should have an edge in sensor tech.

Canon S100 vs Canon SD980 IS sensor size comparison

Canon S100 vs Canon SD980 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon S100 vs Canon SD980 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon S100 as a Portrait photography camera
Canon SD980 IS as a Portrait photography camera
44
manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
has face detection focus
exports RAW formats
external flash not possible
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
20
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon S100 Street photography factors
Canon SD980 IS Street photography factors
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/1.7")
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon S100 Sports photography information
Canon SD980 IS Sports photography information
32
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
low battery power (200 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon S100 as a Travel photography camera
Canon SD980 IS as a Travel photography camera
61
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low battery power (200 per charge)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
58
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon S100 as a Landscape photography camera
Canon SD980 IS as a Landscape photography camera
50
manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
low battery power (200 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
38
rather wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon S100 Vlogging advice
Canon SD980 IS Vlogging advice
36
fairly wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic support
30
rather wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone socket
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Canon S100 vs Canon SD980 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon S100 and Canon SD980 IS
 Canon PowerShot S100Canon PowerShot SD980 IS
General Information
Brand Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot S100 Canon PowerShot SD980 IS
Also Known as - Digital IXUS 200 IS
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-12-22 2009-08-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 5 Digic 4
Sensor type 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 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.0-5.9 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus range 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/3000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m 6.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/2000s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (120, 30 fps), 320 x 240 (240, 30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 198 gr (0.44 pounds) 150 gr (0.33 pounds)
Physical dimensions 99 x 60 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 50 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 153 not tested
Other
Battery life 200 photographs -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-5L NB-6L
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $429 -