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Canon SD980 IS vs Leica C

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
 
Leica C front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
59
Overall
45

Canon SD980 IS vs Leica C 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
Leica C
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400 (Boost to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-200mm (F2.0-5.9) lens
  • 195g - 103 x 63 x 28mm
  • Launched September 2013
  • Alternative Name is Typ112
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Canon SD980 IS vs Leica C Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Canon SD980 IS vs Leica C, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Canon and Leica. The image resolution of the SD980 IS (12MP) and the C (12MP) is pretty close but the SD980 IS (1/2.3") and C (1/1.7") come with totally different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The SD980 IS was revealed 5 years before the C and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick summary of how the SD980 IS grades versus the C for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Leica C

 SD980 IS C 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Leica C over the Canon SD980 IS

 C SD980 IS 
LaunchedSeptember 2013August 2009Fresher by 49 months
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Leica C

 SD980 IS C 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Canon SD980 IS vs Leica C Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD980 IS enjoys outer dimensions of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) and the Leica C has dimensions of 103mm x 63mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") and a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SD980 IS vs Leica C in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the SD980 IS and the C.

Canon SD980 IS vs Leica C size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD980 IS and C is 95 and 92 respectively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Leica C top view buttons comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Leica C Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizing simply by researching specifications. The graphic below should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SD980 IS and C.

To sum up, both cameras offer the same exact megapixel count albeit not the same sensor sizing. The SD980 IS contains the smaller sensor which will make achieving shallower DOF harder. The older SD980 IS will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SD980 IS vs Leica C sensor size comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Leica C Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD980 IS vs Leica C Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Portrait photography features
Leica C Portrait photography features
20
manual focus not available
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
41
has manual focus
comes with face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Street photography camera
Leica C as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Sports photography factors
Leica C Sports photography factors
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
38
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD980 IS
Travel photography with Leica C
58
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
64
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
missing Timelapse mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Landscape photography advice
Leica C Landscape photography advice
38
quite wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
53
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SD980 IS
Vlogging with Leica C
30
quite wide (24mm)
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support
39
pretty wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes microphone support
screen is not selfie friendly
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Canon SD980 IS vs Leica C Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD980 IS and Leica C
 Canon PowerShot SD980 ISLeica C
General Information
Company Canon Leica
Model type Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Leica C
Other name Digital IXUS 200 IS Typ112
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-08-19 2013-09-08
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Max enhanced ISO - 12800
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
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
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 28-200mm (7.1x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.0-5.9
Macro focusing distance 3cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 4.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 1%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/3000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.50 m 7.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 150g (0.33 lbs) 195g (0.43 lbs)
Dimensions 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 103 x 63 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 250 shots
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release - $1,299