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Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony S980

Portability
95
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Canon SD1200 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-105mm (F2.8-4.9) lens
  • 160g - 86 x 55 x 22mm
  • Launched February 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 95 IS
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 SD1200 IS vs Sony S980 Overview

On this page, we will be matching up the Canon SD1200 IS and Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SD1200 IS (10MP) and the S980 (12MP) is relatively close and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SD1200 IS was released around the same time to the S980 so they are both of a similar age. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the SD1200 IS grades versus the S980 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD1200 IS over the Sony S980

 SD1200 IS S980 

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Canon SD1200 IS

 S980 SD1200 IS 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Screen dimensions2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SD1200 IS and Sony S980

 SD1200 IS S980 
IntroducedFebruary 2009February 2009Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SD1200 IS features physical dimensions of 86mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Sony S980 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Canon SD1200 IS 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 depending on the lens you select at that moment. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the SD1200 IS and the S980.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony S980 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD1200 IS and S980 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing simply by viewing specifications. The graphic here may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD1200 IS and S980.

Plainly, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Sony S980 to render more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs more aggressively.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Portrait photography features
Sony S980 Portrait photography features
24
supports face detection focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
27
manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Street photography info
Sony S980 Street photography info
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
47
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD1200 IS
Sports photography with Sony S980
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
17
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Travel photography factors
Sony S980 Travel photography factors
51
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Landscape photography information
Sony S980 Landscape photography information
26
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not possible
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
27
manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SD1200 IS
Vlogging with Sony S980
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external mic port
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone socket
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Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD1200 IS and Sony S980
 Canon PowerShot SD1200 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Also Known as Digital IXUS 95 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-02-18 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD 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 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-105mm (3.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/1500s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160g (0.35 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 86 x 55 x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") 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 260 shots -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $250 $300