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Canon SD980 IS vs Leica V-Lux 30

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
 
Leica V-Lux 30 front
Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Canon SD980 IS vs Leica V-Lux 30 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
  • Released August 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 200 IS
Leica V-Lux 30
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 219g - 105 x 58 x 43mm
  • Introduced May 2011
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Canon SD980 IS vs Leica V-Lux 30 Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Canon SD980 IS and Leica V-Lux 30, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Canon and Leica. The resolution of the SD980 IS (12MP) and the V-Lux 30 (14MP) is fairly close and they use the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SD980 IS was released 21 months before the V-Lux 30 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summary of how the SD980 IS scores versus the V-Lux 30 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Leica V-Lux 30

 SD980 IS V-Lux 30 

Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 30 over the Canon SD980 IS

 V-Lux 30 SD980 IS 
IntroducedMay 2011August 2009Newer by 21 months
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Leica V-Lux 30

 SD980 IS V-Lux 30 
Manual focus No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Canon SD980 IS vs Leica V-Lux 30 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Canon SD980 IS enjoys physical measurements 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 Leica V-Lux 30 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 43mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.7") and a weight of 219 grams (0.48 lbs).

Check the Canon SD980 IS and Leica V-Lux 30 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have at that moment. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the SD980 IS and the V-Lux 30.

Canon SD980 IS vs Leica V-Lux 30 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD980 IS and V-Lux 30 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Leica V-Lux 30 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Leica V-Lux 30 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions only by researching technical specs. The pic below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SD980 IS and V-Lux 30.

As you have seen, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You can anticipate the Leica V-Lux 30 to provide you with more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images much more aggressively. The more aged SD980 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Canon SD980 IS vs Leica V-Lux 30 sensor size comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Leica V-Lux 30 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD980 IS vs Leica V-Lux 30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Portrait photography factors
Leica V-Lux 30 Portrait photography factors
21
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
30
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Street photography advice
Leica V-Lux 30 Street photography advice
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides touch to focus
lighter than competition (219 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Sports photography info
Leica V-Lux 30 Sports photography info
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
47
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (260 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Travel photography details
Leica V-Lux 30 Travel photography details
58
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
no Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
67
lighter than competition (219g)
provides touch to focus
decent megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (384mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
low battery pack (260 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD980 IS
Landscape photography with Leica V-Lux 30
38
really wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Time Lapse function
41
rather wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
low battery pack (260 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Vlogging camera
Leica V-Lux 30 as a Vlogging camera
31
really wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic jack
34
rather wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (219g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic support
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Canon SD980 IS vs Leica V-Lux 30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD980 IS and Leica V-Lux 30
 Canon PowerShot SD980 ISLeica V-Lux 30
General Information
Company Canon Leica
Model Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Leica V-Lux 30
Also called as Digital IXUS 200 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-08-19 2011-05-26
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CMOS
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 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 3cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/3000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.50 m 5.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 150 grams (0.33 pounds) 219 grams (0.48 pounds)
Dimensions 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 105 x 58 x 43mm (4.1" x 2.3" 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 - 260 pictures
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing - $900