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Canon SD980 IS vs Canon SX170 IS

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40

Canon SD980 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Key Specs

Canon SD980 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 150g - 100 x 53 x 23mm
  • Introduced August 2009
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 200 IS
Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 251g - 108 x 71 x 44mm
  • Revealed August 2013
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX160 IS
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Canon SD980 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Canon SD980 IS versus Canon SX170 IS, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are offered by Canon. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the SD980 IS (12MP) and SX170 IS (16MP) but they use the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SD980 IS was announced 5 years before the SX170 IS and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise view of how the SD980 IS scores vs the SX170 IS with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Canon SX170 IS

 SD980 IS SX170 IS 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Canon SD980 IS

 SX170 IS SD980 IS 
RevealedAugust 2013August 2009More recent by 48 months
Manual focus More precise focus

Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Canon SX170 IS

 SD980 IS SX170 IS 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Canon SD980 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD980 IS has exterior dimensions of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") and a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Canon SX170 IS has dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs).

Compare the Canon SD980 IS versus Canon SX170 IS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the SD980 IS against the SX170 IS.

Canon SD980 IS vs Canon SX170 IS size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD980 IS and SX170 IS is 95 and 88 respectively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Canon SX170 IS top view buttons comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to envision the gap in sensor measurements only by viewing technical specs. The photograph here might provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD980 IS and SX170 IS.

As you have seen, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Canon SX170 IS to provide you with greater detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures much more aggressively. The older SD980 IS will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SD980 IS vs Canon SX170 IS sensor size comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD980 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Portrait photography factors
Canon SX170 IS Portrait photography factors
21
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
44
manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection autofocus
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD980 IS
Street photography with Canon SX170 IS
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (251 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Sports photography info
Canon SX170 IS Sports photography info
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
48
great zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Travel photography camera
Canon SX170 IS as a Travel photography camera
58
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than competition in class (251g)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
long zoom (448mm)
lack of Timelapse function
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD980 IS
Landscape photography with Canon SX170 IS
38
decently wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
49
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Vlogging factors
Canon SX170 IS Vlogging factors
31
decently wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone jack
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
lighter than competition in class (251g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone port
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Canon SD980 IS vs Canon SX170 IS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD980 IS and Canon SX170 IS
 Canon PowerShot SD980 ISCanon PowerShot SX170 IS
General Information
Brand Canon Canon
Model Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Canon PowerShot SX170 IS
Also referred to as Digital IXUS 200 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-08-19 2013-08-22
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 28-448mm (16.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus range 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 15s
Fastest shutter speed 1/3000s 1/3200s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.50 m 3.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 150 grams (0.33 lb) 251 grams (0.55 lb)
Dimensions 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7")
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 - 300 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L NB-6LH
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release - $0