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Canon SD980 IS vs Olympus VG-160

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
 
Olympus VG-160 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32

Canon SD980 IS vs Olympus VG-160 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
  • Launched August 2009
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 200 IS
Olympus VG-160
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 125g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2012
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Canon SD980 IS vs Olympus VG-160 Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Canon SD980 IS versus Olympus VG-160, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Canon and Olympus. The image resolution of the SD980 IS (12MP) and the VG-160 (14MP) is fairly well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SD980 IS was launched 3 years earlier than the VG-160 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief summation of how the SD980 IS grades against the VG-160 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Olympus VG-160

 SD980 IS VG-160 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Canon SD980 IS

 VG-160 SD980 IS 
IntroducedJanuary 2012August 2009Newer by 29 months

Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Olympus VG-160

 SD980 IS VG-160 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Canon SD980 IS vs Olympus VG-160 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SD980 IS features exterior dimensions of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") and a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Olympus VG-160 has measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check the Canon SD980 IS versus Olympus VG-160 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the SD980 IS compared to the VG-160.

Canon SD980 IS vs Olympus VG-160 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SD980 IS and VG-160 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Olympus VG-160 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Olympus VG-160 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions purely by checking a spec sheet. The picture here will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SD980 IS and VG-160.

Clearly, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You can anticipate the Olympus VG-160 to give greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SD980 IS is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon SD980 IS vs Olympus VG-160 sensor size comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD980 IS vs Olympus VG-160 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Portrait photography highlights
Olympus VG-160 Portrait photography highlights
20
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
33
MP count decent (14MP)
features face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Street photography details
Olympus VG-160 Street photography details
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
56
lighter than others (125g)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Sports photography info
Olympus VG-160 Sports photography info
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
26
MP count decent (14MP)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (165 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD980 IS
Travel photography with Olympus VG-160
58
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse function
low MP (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
65
lighter than others (125 grams)
MP count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (26mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (165 shots)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD980 IS
Landscape photography with Olympus VG-160
38
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
36
reasonably wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
no manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
bad battery power (165 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Vlogging camera
Olympus VG-160 as a Vlogging camera
30
decently wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone jack
30
reasonably wide (26mm)
features face detect focusing
lighter than others (125 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic support
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Canon SD980 IS vs Olympus VG-160 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD980 IS and Olympus VG-160
 Canon PowerShot SD980 ISOlympus VG-160
General Information
Brand Name Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Olympus VG-160
Otherwise known as Digital IXUS 200 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-08-19 2012-01-10
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 1600 1600
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
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) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focusing distance 3cm 7cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/3000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.50 m 4.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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 gr (0.33 lbs) 125 gr (0.28 lbs)
Dimensions 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
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 life - 165 photographs
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L LI-70B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch - $90