Canon SD980 IS vs Leica V-Lux 20
95 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31


91 Imaging
35 Features
33 Overall
34
Canon SD980 IS vs Leica V-Lux 20 Key Specs
(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
- Launched August 2009
- Also referred to as Digital IXUS 200 IS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
- 218g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
- Revealed April 2010

Canon SD980 IS vs Leica V-Lux 20 Overview
On this page, we are evaluating the Canon SD980 IS vs Leica V-Lux 20, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Canon and Leica. The resolution of the SD980 IS (12MP) and the V-Lux 20 (12MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras posses the same sensor size (1/2.3").

The SD980 IS was manufactured 8 months earlier than the V-Lux 20 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple view of how the SD980 IS scores vs the V-Lux 20 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SD980 IS vs Leica V-Lux 20 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SD980 IS and Leica V-Lux 20. The entire galleries are available at Canon SD980 IS Gallery and Leica V-Lux 20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Leica V-Lux 20
SD980 IS | V-Lux 20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 20 over the Canon SD980 IS
V-Lux 20 | SD980 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | April 2010 | ![]() | August 2009 | Newer by 8 months |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+231k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Leica V-Lux 20
SD980 IS | V-Lux 20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen |
Canon SD980 IS vs Leica V-Lux 20 Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to travel with your camera often, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Canon SD980 IS offers physical dimensions of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) while the Leica V-Lux 20 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs).
Compare the Canon SD980 IS vs Leica V-Lux 20 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is a front view size comparison of the SD980 IS against the V-Lux 20.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD980 IS and V-Lux 20 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Leica V-Lux 20 Sensor Comparison
Typically, its hard to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by looking at specifications. The picture below may give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD980 IS and V-Lux 20.
Plainly, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same resolution therefore you should expect similar quality of photos however you should always consider the production date of the products into consideration. The more aged SD980 IS is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Canon SD980 IS vs Leica V-Lux 20 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Leica V-Lux 20 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS | Leica V-Lux 20 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Leica |
Model | Canon PowerShot SD980 IS | Leica V-Lux 20 |
Also Known as | Digital IXUS 200 IS | - |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2009-08-19 | 2010-04-20 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-120mm (5.0x) | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | f/3.3-4.9 |
Macro focus distance | 3cm | 3cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dot | 461 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 60 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/3000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames per sec | 2.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 6.50 m | 5.30 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
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 (60 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | H.264 | 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 | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 150 gr (0.33 lb) | 218 gr (0.48 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
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 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Launch pricing | - | $779 |