Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony S980
95 Imaging
32 Features
17 Overall
26


94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony S980 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The complete galleries are provided at Canon SD1200 IS Gallery & Sony S980 Gallery.
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 dimensions | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Common features in the Canon SD1200 IS and Sony S980
SD1200 IS | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2009 | ![]() | February 2009 | Same age |
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Sony S980 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS | Sony 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 |