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Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon D800

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
 
Nikon D800 front
Portability
54
Imaging
73
Features
80
Overall
75

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon D800 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
  • Launched August 2009
  • Also referred to as Digital IXUS 200 IS
Nikon D800
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Launched June 2012
  • Superseded the Nikon D700
  • Updated by Nikon D810
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Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon D800 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Canon SD980 IS and Nikon D800, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Canon and Nikon. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the SD980 IS (12MP) and D800 (36MP) and the SD980 IS (1/2.3") and D800 (Full frame) enjoy totally different sensor sizing.

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The SD980 IS was revealed 3 years prior to the D800 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SD980 IS being a Compact camera and the Nikon D800 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a short summation of how the SD980 IS grades vs the D800 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Nikon D800

 SD980 IS D800 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Nikon D800 over the Canon SD980 IS

 D800 SD980 IS 
LaunchedJune 2012August 2009More modern by 34 months
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Nikon D800

 SD980 IS D800 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon D800 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD980 IS has got outer dimensions of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Nikon D800 has dimensions of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") with a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs).

Examine the Canon SD980 IS and Nikon D800 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the SD980 IS and the D800.

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon D800 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SD980 IS and D800 is 95 and 54 respectively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon D800 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon D800 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizes simply by checking a spec sheet. The pic underneath may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD980 IS and D800.

As you can see, the 2 cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The SD980 IS having a tinier sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field trickier and the Nikon D800 will give you greater detail because of its extra 24 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged SD980 IS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon D800 sensor size comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon D800 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon D800 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon D800 as a Portrait photography camera
21
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
83
has manual focus
fantastic resolution (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Street photography info
Nikon D800 Street photography info
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
60
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Sports photography camera
Nikon D800 as a Sports photography camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
74
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
fantastic resolution (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second very slow (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Travel photography factors
Nikon D800 Travel photography factors
58
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
66
environment proof
fantastic resolution (36 megapixels)
built-in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD980 IS
Landscape photography with Nikon D800
38
reasonably wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
79
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
fantastic resolution (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
has double storage slots
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Vlogging factors
Nikon D800 Vlogging factors
31
reasonably wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone port
30
provides face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with microphone port
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
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Canon SD980 IS vs Nikon D800 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD980 IS and Nikon D800
 Canon PowerShot SD980 ISNikon D800
General Information
Brand Canon Nikon
Model Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Nikon D800
Also called Digital IXUS 200 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2009-08-19 2012-06-11
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 Expeed 3
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 36 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 5:4 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 51
Cross focus points - 15
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Nikon F
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Available lenses - 309
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3.2"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/3000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.50 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain, High-speed sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 150 gr (0.33 lbs) 900 gr (1.98 lbs)
Dimensions 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 146 x 123 x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 95
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.4
DXO Low light score not tested 2853
Other
Battery life - 900 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L EN-EL15
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 to 20 sec, 1 to 9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2 or 3 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant
Storage slots Single 2
Retail price - $2,999