Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L21
95 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31


93 Imaging
31 Features
11 Overall
23
Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L21 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
- Released August 2009
- Other Name is Digital IXUS 200 IS
(Full Review)
- 8MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 64 - 1600
- 640 x 480 video
- 38-136mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
- 169g - 92 x 67 x 28mm
- Announced February 2010

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L21 Overview
Here is a in depth review of the Canon SD980 IS versus Nikon L21, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Canon and Nikon. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the SD980 IS (12MP) and L21 (8MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The SD980 IS was released 5 months prior to the L21 so they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before delving right into a full comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SD980 IS scores versus the L21 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L21 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SD980 IS and Nikon Coolpix L21. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon SD980 IS Gallery and Nikon L21 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Nikon L21
SD980 IS | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Nikon L21 over the Canon SD980 IS
L21 | SD980 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Nikon L21
SD980 IS | L21 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | August 2009 | ![]() | February 2010 | Similar generation |
Focus manually | ![]() | No manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen |
Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L21 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to carry your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Canon SD980 IS has got outside dimensions of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) and the Nikon L21 has specifications of 92mm x 67mm x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") with a weight of 169 grams (0.37 lbs).
Compare the Canon SD980 IS versus Nikon L21 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the SD980 IS vs the L21.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SD980 IS and L21 is 95 and 93 respectively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L21 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it can be tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing simply by going over specifications. The graphic here will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD980 IS and L21.
Plainly, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Canon SD980 IS to offer you more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures way more aggressively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L21 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS | Nikon Coolpix L21 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Nikon |
Model | Canon PowerShot SD980 IS | Nikon Coolpix L21 |
Also called | Digital IXUS 200 IS | - |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2009-08-19 | 2010-02-03 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 4 | Expeed C2 |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 8 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 1600 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 64 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-120mm (5.0x) | 38-136mm (3.6x) |
Largest aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | f/3.1-6.7 |
Macro focus distance | 3cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inch | 2.5 inch |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15s | 8s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/3000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames per sec | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 6.50 m | - |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video data format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 150 gr (0.33 pounds) | 169 gr (0.37 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") | 92 x 67 x 28mm (3.6" x 2.6" x 1.1") |
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 model | NB-6L | 2 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch pricing | - | $180 |