Canon SD980 IS vs Casio EX-ZR10: A Hands-On Comparison for the Modern Compact Shooter

When diving into the compact camera world - especially models from around 2009 to 2010 - you’re navigating a landscape where pocketability, ease of use, and respectable image quality matter most for casual shooters and enthusiasts alike. Two models that stand out from that era are Canon’s PowerShot SD980 IS (a.k.a. Digital IXUS 200 IS) and Casio’s Exilim EX-ZR10. Both promise flexible zoom ranges, decent resolution, and modern amenities like optical stabilization and HD video, but which one better suits your photography rhythm today?

Having tested both models extensively under various lighting and shooting conditions, I’ll share my detailed impressions, practical performance insights, and nuanced technical analysis - so you make an informed choice that’s about your style, not just specs on paper.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Design Considerations

Let’s start where it always counts - the feel in your hands and how the camera fits into your shooting workflow.

The Canon SD980 IS is a classic slim compact with a lean 100 x 53 x 23 mm footprint and weighing just 150 grams. It’s designed for effortless pocket carry, sporting a sleek metal exterior that feels more like a luxury accessory than a tool. The ergonomics lean towards minimalism: the small grip and limited external controls mean you’ll mostly operate it in auto or semi-automatic modes without fuss.

By contrast, the Casio EX-ZR10 expands on this idea but with slight bulkier dimensions - 102 x 69 x 27 mm and a heftier 176 grams. That width increase translates into a noticeably better grip, especially for those of us who appreciate a bit of tactile confidence without the need to clutch the camera tightly. You also get a more prominent lens barrel accommodating a longer zoom range, which the SD980’s compact stature sacrifices for size.

Take a look, and you’ll see what I mean:

During my field tests, the Casio’s added depth made longer shooting sessions more comfortable, especially when composing tightly zoomed shots or slow pans. Meanwhile, the Canon remains the ideal grab-and-go pocket camera that you don’t even notice until you want to shoot.

If ultimate portability is your priority, the SD980 IS edges out, but if grip and sustained handling matter, the EX-ZR10 feels more purposeful.

Design at a Glance: Control Layout and User Interface

Moving on from style to substance, the control scheme is a major operational factor. Neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder, so your interaction happens through the rear LCD and a few physical buttons.

Here’s a side-by-side top view for perspective:

The Canon SD980 shows an intentionally minimalist top deck: a power button, shutter release with zoom toggle, and a mode dial with familiar icons for point-and-shoot simplicity. It’s clean but somewhat limited if you want quick manual access.

The EX-ZR10 conversely foregoes a mode dial for a more compact button cluster but enriches usability with dedicated manual focus ring control - yes, manual focus! The Casio also features a brighter, sharper 3” LCD (461k dots versus Canon’s 230k), making it easier to judge focus and exposure in real time.

Both models offer live view with contrast-detect autofocus, but Casio’s improved resolution and color fidelity on screen give an edge in previewing detail.

The Canon’s touchscreen, despite being ahead of its time, feels unrefined by today’s standards - sometimes laggy and limited in area responsiveness. The Casio’s non-touch but vibrant screen wins points for clarity and refresh rate.

Bottom line: If you’re someone who favors tap-and-shoot simplicity, the SD980’s touch helps (even if limited), but if you value precise manual control and better exposure feedback, the EX-ZR10 makes more sense.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera Battle

This is where things get really interesting - when pixel counts and sensor technology directly impact your photos.

Both cameras employ 1/2.3” sensors, measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm, with 12-megapixel resolution capable of 4000x3000 max images. But sensor type makes a huge difference:

• Canon SD980 IS uses an older CCD sensor
• Casio EX-ZR10 utilizes a BSI-CMOS sensor

Here’s a handy visual to compare sensor size and relevant specs:

The CCD in the Canon was known for producing pleasing color rendition and low noise at base ISO, but it struggles at higher sensitivities due to its older architecture. Whereas the Casio’s backside-illuminated CMOS sensor boosts light gathering efficiency, offering markedly improved noise control at ISO 800 and above.

In side-by-side testing at ISO 100 and 400, Canon’s images show slightly warmer, more natural hues with smooth tonal gradation - ideal for portraiture where skin tones matter. Casio somewhat leans cooler but captures more detail in shadows, hinting at better dynamic range.

Crucially, Casio extends its sensitivity up to ISO 3200, whereas Canon maxes out at ISO 1600, and the higher ISO shots are just not usable on the SD980 without notable grain. For low-light and night shooting, this matters a lot.

Regarding the anti-aliasing filter, both retain it, which softens moiré but at the cost of razor-sharp fine detail. Fine for most purposes, especially in a compact camera.

Photograph Gallery: Real-World Image Samples Reveal Strengths

Seeing is believing, so here’s a gallery showcasing both cameras tackling various genres with their respective lenses and sensors.

Notice how each handles texture, color saturation, and noise levels under different conditions:

Canon SD980 IS screen back Casio EX ZR10 front Casio EX ZR10 screen back

In portraits, Canon’s smoother skin tone rendering and subtle bokeh from its F2.8 lens at wide end are noticeable. Casio’s longer zoom lets you isolate subjects more from a distance. Landscape shots highlight Casio’s greater dynamic range capturing shadow and highlight details, while Canon’s warmer palette feels more inviting for natural scenes.

Both flub somewhat around the edges of their zoom, with visible chromatic aberrations and softness creeping in - expected compromises at this sensor and lens class.

Autofocus and Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and User Experience

Both cameras rely on contrast-detection autofocus, standard for compacts, but the Casio EX-ZR10 adds AF tracking, which is surprisingly responsive for a consumer camera of its time. The Canon SD980 limits you to single-point AF with 9 focus areas selectable.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Canon SD980 IS
  • Autofocus: 9 points, single AF
  • AF speed: Moderate, can hesitate in low light
  • Face detection: Not supported
• Casio EX-ZR10
  • Autofocus: Contrast detection with tracking, continuous focus for moving subjects
  • AF speed: Faster and more reliable in varied lighting
  • Face detection: No

From my tests shooting moving subjects and street candid photography, Casio’s AF tracking offers noticeably better acquisition and retention of focus, minimizing missed shots. SD980, while competent, felt sluggish locking on and sometimes overshot focus.

Neither camera offers phase detection AF or eye/animal detection, features commonplace in modern cameras, but given their vintage, these expectations are reasonable.

Video Capabilities: HD Recording with Distinct Flavors

While we usually focus on stills, video often influences choice, especially for travel and casual use.

The SD980 IS offers 720p HD video at 30 fps, encoded in H.264. It’s straightforward but limited by the camera’s slower autofocus in video mode, which can result in focus hunting.

The EX-ZR10 goes further with full 1080p HD at 30 fps, plus options for slower motion at 240 fps (though at much-reduced resolution). Stabilization uses sensor-shift technology, which helps smooth hand shakes slightly better than Canon’s optical IS in video.

Neither camera features external mic inputs or headphone jacks, so audio is fixed and modest in quality.

For casual HD video, the Casio’s higher resolution and better stabilization offer palpable advantages if video is a priority for you.

Handling and Interface: Screen, Controls, and Usability

Back to the user interface, the rear screens strongly influence composition and menu navigation.

Here’s a direct comparison:

Casio’s 3-inch Super Clear TFT LCD with 461,000 dots is a clear winner over Canon’s lower-res 230,000-pixel screen. The higher resolution and brightness make composing in sunlit conditions easier, and colors appear more vibrant and true-to-life.

Canon’s touchscreen was an interesting feature for the era but feels a bit gimmicky now. Its responsiveness is inconsistent, and it doesn’t speed up functionality meaningfully.

Menu layouts on both are relatively straightforward, though Casio leans a bit more towards novice-friendly icons and quick access buttons, whereas Canon keeps options minimal but can feel restrictive trying to get manual exposures done.

Zoom Range and Macro Performance: Flexibility for Close-Ups and Reach

Let’s talk lens reach and close-up capabilities.

• Canon SD980 IS: 24-120 mm equivalent with aperture ranging from F2.8 at wide to F5.9 at tele
• Casio EX-ZR10: 28-196 mm equivalent with aperture F3.0-5.9

The Casio offers considerably more flexibility with its 7x zoom, perfect if you want to capture distant subjects, landscapes, or street scenes without physically moving.

The Canon’s wider 24mm equivalent front-end lets you fit more into tight compositions, which is especially helpful in travel and architecture shots.

At the macro end, Canon lists a 3 cm focusing distance, allowing very tight framing. Casio provides no official macro spec, but realistically, it can focus close enough for casual flower or product shots, though precision wasn’t as reliable as Canon’s.

If your photography includes a lot of macro work or wide-angle landscapes, Canon might slightly edge out. But for versatility and telephoto reach, Casio wins hands down.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations for Extended Shoots

Neither camera boasts extraordinary battery life - typical of small compacts of that period.

• Canon SD980 uses NB-6L batteries; Casio EX-ZR10 uses NP-110
• Both compatible with standard SD/SDHC cards (Casio also supports SDXC)
• No dual card slots or USB charging capabilities

In my tests, Casio lasted slightly longer during active use, partly thanks to more efficient CMOS sensor and better processor design. However, any serious outing will require spare batteries for either device.

Storage options are simple, with support for common SD cards, but I recommend using at least a Class 10 or UHS-1 card with the Casio to keep video recording smooth.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance

Neither camera is weather sealed, and both rely on plastic and metal construction balanced for lightweight portability.

They are definitely not designed for rugged conditions - no dustproof, waterproof, or shockproof features.

If you photograph outdoors regularly in challenging environments, you will want to consider sturdier modern options or invest in protective housings.

Price-to-Performance Overview: What Gets You More?

While prices fluctuate, the Casio EX-ZR10 often surfaces around the $190 mark used or refurbished today, with the Canon SD980 IS typically cheaper but sometimes harder to find due to age.

For that price, Casio provides more in terms of sensor tech, zoom range, video resolution, and general usability enhancements. Canon remains attractive for those primarily after pocket convenience and straightforward shooting.

Here’s a visual summary of overall performance scores based on my hands-on evaluation and industry benchmarks:

Which Camera Excels in Different Photography Genres?

Let’s break these cameras down by common shooting styles, so you can see where their strengths lie.

• Portraits: Canon SD980 IS offers warmer skin tones and slightly better shallow depth of field at 24mm f/2.8. Casio’s higher ISO range lets you shoot in dimmer interiors but sacrifices subtlety in colors.
• Landscape: Both capture ample detail; Casio’s better dynamic range and longer zoom provide compositional versatility.
• Wildlife: Casio’s extended zoom and AF tracking allow better framing and subject acquisition, though limited reach restricts serious telephoto work.
• Sports: Neither really designed for high-speed continuous shooting; Casio’s AF tracking helps keep pace but burst modes are slow.
• Street: Canon’s unobtrusive size and quick startup favor discreet shooting; Casio’s zoom could be a liability in tight crowds.
• Macro: Canon’s close-focus distance and aperture help macro shots stand out.
• Night/Astro: Casio’s higher ISO ceiling and cleaner noise control give it an advantage here.
• Video: Casio’s 1080p and frame rate options best Canon’s 720p output.
• Travel: Depends on user priority: Canon for ultimate compactness, Casio for flexibility.
• Professional work: Neither geared toward professional standards in file format or durability; use as backups or casual cameras only.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Buy Which?

Having spent considerable time with both, here’s my bottom line:

Buy Canon PowerShot SD980 IS if you

• Want an ultra-compact, pocket-friendly companion that fits casual travel and everyday snaps
• Favor warmer color reproduction in daylight portraits
• Prefer a touchscreen interface and simple controls over manual fiddling
• Mostly shoot outdoors in well-lit environments and don’t need extended zoom

Buy Casio Exilim EX-ZR10 if you

• Value flexibility with a longer zoom range for varied framing options
• Shoot at night or indoors often, needing higher ISO performance with reduced noise
• Need smoother video quality and better stabilization for casual clips
• Want slightly better autofocus tracking for moving subjects
• Don’t mind sacrificing some portability and prefer a firmer grip and higher-res screen

Dear Canon, Please…

It’s amazing to me how some features from 2009 are still manners in today’s cameras, and others have simply vanished or morphed. For instance, the Canon SD980 IS has charm with its touchscreen feature for that era but felt somewhat unfinished. Touch response could have been more reliable.

On my wishlist: slightly more grip, faster AF, and at least minimal video stabilization to match competitors - even back then.

Wrapping It Up: A Compact Camera Tale of Two Eras

Both the Canon SD980 IS and Casio EX-ZR10 represent solid strides in compact camera technology from their time, reflecting diverging philosophies - Canon invested in sleek portability and classy design, Casio pushed technical specs for versatility and performance.

Measured by today’s standards, neither can compete with current mirrorless or advanced compacts, but for enthusiasts nostalgic for straightforward pocket cameras or those dipping into affordable used gear, understanding these subtle differences helps reveal what to expect and how to use each gem well.

Ultimately, it’s about matching camera strengths with your shooting priorities. Whether you prefer Canon’s lean approach or Casio’s zoom-centric versatility, both will deliver reliable, enjoyable experiences in their own ways.

I hope this detailed comparison clarifies your decision. If you want to see more sample shots or footage in action, check out my video review linked above - hands-on insights often speak louder than specs alone.

Happy shooting!