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Canon SD3500 IS vs Sony S980

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
31
Overall
34
Canon PowerShot SD3500 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Canon SD3500 IS vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Canon SD3500 IS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 160g - 99 x 56 x 22mm
  • Launched February 2010
  • Alternate Name is IXUS 210 / IXY 10S
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
  • Announced February 2009
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Canon SD3500 IS vs Sony S980 Overview

Following is a thorough review of the Canon SD3500 IS versus Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the SD3500 IS (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SD3500 IS was launched 12 months after the S980 so they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the SD3500 IS scores vs the S980 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD3500 IS over the Sony S980

 SD3500 IS S980 
AnnouncedFebruary 2010February 2009More modern by 12 months
Screen dimensions3.5"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.8")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Canon SD3500 IS

 S980 SD3500 IS 
Manual focus More precise focusing

Common features in the Canon SD3500 IS and Sony S980

 SD3500 IS S980 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Canon SD3500 IS vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SD3500 IS has exterior dimensions of 99mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) while 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).

Compare the Canon SD3500 IS versus Sony S980 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the SD3500 IS and the S980.

Canon SD3500 IS vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SD3500 IS and S980 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD3500 IS vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD3500 IS vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizes just by seeing specs. The picture here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SD3500 IS and S980.

All in all, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Canon SD3500 IS to produce more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots more aggressively. The younger SD3500 IS is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SD3500 IS vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Canon SD3500 IS vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD3500 IS vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD3500 IS
Portrait photography with Sony S980
28
decent megapixels (14MP)
no manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
27
has manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD3500 IS Street photography highlights
Sony S980 Street photography highlights
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
47
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD3500 IS Sports photography details
Sony S980 Sports photography details
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
17
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD3500 IS Travel photography factors
Sony S980 Travel photography factors
65
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
no Timelapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
resolution not great (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD3500 IS
Landscape photography with Sony S980
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
very good size screen (3.5")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Timelapse function
27
has manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD3500 IS as a Vlogging camera
Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
31
reasonably wide (24mm)
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone jack
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone socket
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Canon SD3500 IS vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD3500 IS and Sony S980
 Canon PowerShot SD3500 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SD3500 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Also Known as IXUS 210 / IXY 10S -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-02-08 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
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 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.5" 2.7"
Display resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 2 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/3000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
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 None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 gr (0.35 lbs) 167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 99 x 56 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 model NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 sec or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/MMCplus HC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch - $300