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Canon SD980 IS vs Leica V-Lux 20

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
 
Leica V-Lux 20 front
Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34

Canon SD980 IS vs Leica V-Lux 20 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
  • Launched August 2009
  • Also referred to as Digital IXUS 200 IS
Leica V-Lux 20
(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
Photography Glossary

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").

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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.

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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 
RevealedApril 2010August 2009Newer by 8 months
Display resolution461k230kCrisper 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SD980 IS vs Leica V-Lux 20 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

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

Canon SD980 IS vs Leica V-Lux 20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Portrait photography highlights
Leica V-Lux 20 Portrait photography highlights
20
no manual focus
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
21
manual focus not available
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Street photography details
Leica V-Lux 20 Street photography details
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (218g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD980 IS
Sports photography with Leica V-Lux 20
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Travel photography features
Leica V-Lux 20 Travel photography features
58
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
63
lighter than average in class (218 grams)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
missing Time Lapse function
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Leica V-Lux 20 as a Landscape photography camera
38
pretty wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
38
rather wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Vlogging advice
Leica V-Lux 20 Vlogging advice
30
pretty wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone support
30
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (218g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic jack
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Canon SD980 IS vs Leica V-Lux 20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD980 IS and Leica V-Lux 20
 Canon PowerShot SD980 ISLeica 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