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Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon S3500

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S3500 front
Portability
95
Imaging
44
Features
25
Overall
36

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon S3500 Key Specs

Canon SD980 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 200 IS
Nikon S3500
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-182mm (F3.4-6.4) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 58 x 21mm
  • Introduced February 2013
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Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon S3500 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Canon SD980 IS and Nikon S3500, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Nikon. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the SD980 IS (12MP) and S3500 (20MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SD980 IS was announced 4 years earlier than the S3500 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the SD980 IS grades vs the S3500 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Nikon S3500

 SD980 IS S3500 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon S3500 over the Canon SD980 IS

 S3500 SD980 IS 
IntroducedFebruary 2013August 2009Fresher by 42 months

Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Nikon S3500

 SD980 IS S3500 
Focus manually No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon S3500 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon SD980 IS comes with external 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 S3500 has proportions of 97mm x 58mm x 21mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs).

Compare the Canon SD980 IS and Nikon S3500 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is a front view size comparison of the SD980 IS and the S3500.

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon S3500 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SD980 IS and S3500 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon S3500 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon S3500 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizing only by reviewing technical specs. The graphic below will give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD980 IS and S3500.

As you can tell, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should anticipate the Nikon S3500 to deliver extra detail with its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images a bit more aggressively. The older SD980 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon S3500 sensor size comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon S3500 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon S3500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD980 IS
Portrait photography with Nikon S3500
21
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
33
good resolution (20MP)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD980 IS
Street photography with Nikon S3500
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (129g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Sports photography info
Nikon S3500 Sports photography info
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
42
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20MP)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Travel photography details
Nikon S3500 Travel photography details
58
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than average in class (129 grams)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (26mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Landscape photography information
Nikon S3500 Landscape photography information
38
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
40
quite wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
small screen (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Vlogging factors
Nikon S3500 Vlogging factors
31
rather wide (24mm)
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
31
quite wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (129g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon S3500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD980 IS and Nikon S3500
 Canon PowerShot SD980 ISNikon Coolpix S3500
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Nikon Coolpix S3500
Also referred to as Digital IXUS 200 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-08-19 2013-02-21
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 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 5152 x 3864
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 26-182mm (7.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.4-6.4
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT-LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/3000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.50 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 150 gr (0.33 pounds) 129 gr (0.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 97 x 58 x 21mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus -
Storage slots One One
Retail cost - $85