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Canon S100 vs Sony S980

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
48
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot S100 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Canon S100 vs Sony S980 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
  • Earlier Model is Canon S95
  • Updated by Canon S110
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
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Canon S100 vs Sony S980 Overview

The following is a in-depth overview of the Canon S100 and Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the S100 (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is fairly comparable but the S100 (1/1.7") and S980 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor measurements.

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The S100 was introduced 2 years after the S980 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick summary of how the S100 grades vs the S980 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon S100 over the Sony S980

 S100 S980 
LaunchedDecember 2011February 2009Newer by 35 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Canon S100

 S980 S100 

Common features in the Canon S100 and Sony S980

 S100 S980 
Manual focus More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Canon S100 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Canon S100 has exterior measurements of 99mm x 60mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Analyze the Canon S100 and Sony S980 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have during that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the S100 compared to the S980.

Canon S100 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S100 and S980 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Canon S100 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Canon S100 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its hard to see the gap in sensor dimensions purely by going through specifications. The image below might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the S100 and S980.

To sum up, both of these cameras offer the same exact megapixel count but not the same sensor dimensions. The S100 includes the larger sensor which will make achieving shallow depth of field easier. The more recent S100 is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.

Canon S100 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Canon S100 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon S100 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon S100 Portrait photography advice
Sony S980 Portrait photography advice
45
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW files
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
27
focusing manually
no manual control
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon S100
Street photography with Sony S980
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon S100 as a Sports photography camera
Sony S980 as a Sports photography camera
32
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
terrible battery pack (200 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
17
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon S100 Travel photography details
Sony S980 Travel photography details
61
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
no Time Lapse mode
terrible battery pack (200 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
51
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon S100 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S980 as a Landscape photography camera
51
you can focus manually
really wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
terrible battery pack (200 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
27
focusing manually
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon S100 Vlogging info
Sony S980 Vlogging info
36
really wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
no mic socket
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic port
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Canon S100 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon S100 and Sony S980
 Canon PowerShot S100Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Make Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot S100 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-12-22 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 5 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.0-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 3cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/2000 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 198 gr (0.44 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 99 x 60 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 50 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 153 not tested
Other
Battery life 200 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-5L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $429 $300