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Canon SD960 IS vs Sony S980

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
27
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD960 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Canon SD960 IS vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Canon SD960 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 145g - 98 x 54 x 22mm
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Also referred to as Digital IXUS 110 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
  • Released February 2009
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Canon SD960 IS vs Sony S980 Overview

The following is a in depth overview of the Canon SD960 IS versus Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the SD960 IS (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is relatively close and they enjoy the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SD960 IS was announced at a similar time to the S980 so they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SD960 IS grades vs the S980 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD960 IS over the Sony S980

 SD960 IS S980 
Screen dimension2.8"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.1")

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Canon SD960 IS

 S980 SD960 IS 
Manually focus More accurate focus

Common features in the Canon SD960 IS and Sony S980

 SD960 IS S980 
ReleasedFebruary 2009February 2009Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Canon SD960 IS vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SD960 IS provides outer measurements of 98mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") and a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs) while the Sony S980 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check the Canon SD960 IS versus Sony S980 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at the time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the SD960 IS compared to the S980.

Canon SD960 IS vs Sony S980 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SD960 IS and S980 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD960 IS vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD960 IS vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to see the difference in sensor dimensions simply by looking through specifications. The pic here will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SD960 IS and S980.

Plainly, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same resolution so you should expect comparable quality of photographs but you will want to take the release date of the cameras into account.

Canon SD960 IS vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Canon SD960 IS vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD960 IS vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD960 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S980 as a Portrait photography camera
26
offers face detection focus
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
27
manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Street photography advice
Sony S980 Street photography advice
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
47
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD960 IS as a Sports photography camera
Sony S980 as a Sports photography camera
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
17
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD960 IS as a Travel photography camera
Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
58
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
low resolution sensor (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD960 IS
Landscape photography with Sony S980
36
relatively wide (28mm)
good sized screen (2.8")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual exposure
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
27
manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Vlogging information
Sony S980 Vlogging information
30
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone support
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic jack
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Canon SD960 IS vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD960 IS and Sony S980
 Canon PowerShot SD960 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SD960 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Also referred to as Digital IXUS 110 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-02-18 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 2cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.8 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 2 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.00 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 145 grams (0.32 lb) 167 grams (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 54 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.1" 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 model NB-4L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release - $300