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Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L21

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix L21 front
Portability
93
Imaging
31
Features
11
Overall
23

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L21 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
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 200 IS
Nikon L21
(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
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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").

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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.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Nikon L21

 SD980 IS L21 
Screen size3"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 
AnnouncedAugust 2009February 2010Similar generation
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L21 size comparison

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

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L21 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L21 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L21 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Portrait photography information
Nikon L21 Portrait photography information
20
no manual focus
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
18
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Street photography features
Nikon L21 Street photography features
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
46
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Sports photography factors
Nikon L21 Sports photography factors
25
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
15
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (8MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Travel photography info
Nikon L21 Travel photography info
58
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
does not have Timelapse function
low MP (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
50
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Landscape photography details
Nikon L21 Landscape photography details
38
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
21
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (8MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SD980 IS
Vlogging with Nikon L21
30
pretty wide (24mm)
touch screen
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone socket
21
wide angle not good (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
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Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon L21 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD980 IS and Nikon L21
 Canon PowerShot SD980 ISNikon 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