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Canon S120 vs Canon SD980 IS

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
57
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot S120 front
 
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32

Canon S120 vs Canon SD980 IS Key Specs

Canon S120
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F1.8-5.7) lens
  • 217g - 100 x 59 x 29mm
  • Launched November 2013
  • Superseded the Canon S110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
  • Also Known as Digital IXUS 200 IS
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Canon S120 vs Canon SD980 IS Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Canon S120 versus Canon SD980 IS, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and both are offered by Canon. The resolution of the S120 (12MP) and the SD980 IS (12MP) is very comparable but the S120 (1/1.7") and SD980 IS (1/2.3") have different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The S120 was brought out 4 years later than the SD980 IS and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a thorough comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the S120 scores versus the SD980 IS in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon S120 over the Canon SD980 IS

 S120 SD980 IS 
AnnouncedNovember 2013August 2009Fresher by 52 months
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display resolution922k230kSharper display (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Canon S120

 SD980 IS S120 

Common features in the Canon S120 and Canon SD980 IS

 S120 SD980 IS 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Canon S120 vs Canon SD980 IS Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon S120 has external measurements of 100mm x 59mm x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 217 grams (0.48 lbs) whilst the Canon SD980 IS has proportions of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs).

Look at the Canon S120 versus Canon SD980 IS in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have at that time. The following is a front view size comparison of the S120 and the SD980 IS.

Canon S120 vs Canon SD980 IS size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the S120 and SD980 IS is 92 and 95 respectively.

Canon S120 vs Canon SD980 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon S120 vs Canon SD980 IS Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizing only by seeing specs. The visual below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the S120 and SD980 IS.

All in all, the 2 cameras have the same resolution but different sensor sizing. The S120 contains the larger sensor which is going to make getting bokeh easier. The more recent S120 provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Canon S120 vs Canon SD980 IS sensor size comparison

Canon S120 vs Canon SD980 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon S120 vs Canon SD980 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon S120 Portrait photography info
Canon SD980 IS Portrait photography info
42
has manual focus
provides face detection focusing
supports RAW files
external flash not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
21
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon S120 as a Street photography camera
Canon SD980 IS as a Street photography camera
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
provides focus by touch
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
more heavy than others (217 grams)
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon S120 as a Sports photography camera
Canon SD980 IS as a Sports photography camera
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
lacks phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon S120 as a Travel photography camera
Canon SD980 IS as a Travel photography camera
67
provides focus by touch
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
more heavy than others (217g)
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
58
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
does not have Timelapse function
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon S120 as a Landscape photography camera
Canon SD980 IS as a Landscape photography camera
57
has manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
38
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon S120 as a Vlogging camera
Canon SD980 IS as a Vlogging camera
35
reasonably wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
no external microphone support
more heavy than others (217g)
31
reasonably wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone jack
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Canon S120 vs Canon SD980 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon S120 and Canon SD980 IS
 Canon PowerShot S120Canon PowerShot SD980 IS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot S120 Canon PowerShot SD980 IS
Also called - Digital IXUS 200 IS
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-11-26 2009-08-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 6 Digic 4
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 area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias 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 12800 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/1.8-5.7 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 922k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT PureColor II G Touch screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/3000s
Continuous shooting speed 12.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m 6.50 m
Flash options Auto, on, slow synchro, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
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), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 217g (0.48 lbs) 150g (0.33 lbs)
Physical dimensions 100 x 59 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.9 not tested
DXO Low light rating 246 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 photographs -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6LH 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
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $449 -