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Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon S5100

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
 
Nikon Coolpix S5100 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon S5100 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
  • Introduced August 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 200 IS
Nikon S5100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.7-6.6) lens
  • 132g - 97 x 57 x 22mm
  • Released August 2010
Photography Glossary

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon S5100 Overview

Below is a in-depth review of the Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon S5100, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Canon and Nikon. The image resolution of the SD980 IS (12MP) and the S5100 (12MP) is relatively similar and they feature the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SD980 IS was announced 12 months before the S5100 so they are both of a similar age. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple view of how the SD980 IS scores versus the S5100 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Nikon S5100

 SD980 IS S5100 
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon S5100 over the Canon SD980 IS

 S5100 SD980 IS 
ReleasedAugust 2010August 2009More recent by 12 months

Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Nikon S5100

 SD980 IS S5100 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon S5100 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Canon SD980 IS provides outer measurements of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") and a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) and the Nikon S5100 has specifications of 97mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon S5100 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the SD980 IS versus the S5100.

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon S5100 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SD980 IS and S5100 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon S5100 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon S5100 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to visualise the gap between sensor measurements merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual below will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SD980 IS and S5100.

Clearly, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact megapixels so you can expect similar quality of images but you would want to factor the age of the products into consideration. The older SD980 IS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon S5100 sensor size comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon S5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon S5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Portrait photography highlights
Nikon S5100 Portrait photography highlights
20
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Street photography highlights
Nikon S5100 Street photography highlights
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (132g)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Sports photography info
Nikon S5100 Sports photography info
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
27
image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Travel photography advice
Nikon S5100 Travel photography advice
58
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
no Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
62
lighter than others (132 grams)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Landscape photography highlights
Nikon S5100 Landscape photography highlights
38
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Time Lapse function
32
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Vlogging information
Nikon S5100 Vlogging information
30
relatively wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic socket
31
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (132 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone support
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Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon S5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD980 IS and Nikon S5100
 Canon PowerShot SD980 ISNikon Coolpix S5100
General Information
Company Canon Nikon
Model type Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Nikon Coolpix S5100
Otherwise known as Digital IXUS 200 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-08-19 2010-08-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 Expeed C2
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.7-6.6
Macro focusing range 3cm 2cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/3000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.50 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 150 grams (0.33 lb) 132 grams (0.29 lb)
Dimensions 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 97 x 57 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID NB-6L EN-EL10
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch - $200