Canon SD980 IS vs Olympus XZ-1
95 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31


88 Imaging
35 Features
51 Overall
41
Canon SD980 IS vs Olympus XZ-1 Key Specs
(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
- Also Known as Digital IXUS 200 IS
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
- 275g - 111 x 65 x 42mm
- Revealed January 2011

Canon SD980 IS vs Olympus XZ-1 Overview
Below is a detailed analysis of the Canon SD980 IS vs Olympus XZ-1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Olympus. The image resolution of the SD980 IS (12MP) and the XZ-1 (10MP) is very comparable but the SD980 IS (1/2.3") and XZ-1 (1/1.63") enjoy different sensor sizing.

The SD980 IS was revealed 17 months prior to the XZ-1 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before going straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a short summation of how the SD980 IS scores against the XZ-1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon SD980 IS vs Olympus XZ-1 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SD980 IS & Olympus XZ-1. The full galleries are available at Canon SD980 IS Gallery & Olympus XZ-1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Olympus XZ-1
SD980 IS | XZ-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-1 over the Canon SD980 IS
XZ-1 | SD980 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2011 | ![]() | August 2009 | More recent by 17 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Display resolution | 614k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+384k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Olympus XZ-1
SD980 IS | XZ-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen |
Canon SD980 IS vs Olympus XZ-1 Physical Comparison
In case you're going to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD980 IS offers outside dimensions of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Olympus XZ-1 has dimensions of 111mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") with a weight of 275 grams (0.61 lbs).
Compare the Canon SD980 IS vs Olympus XZ-1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the SD980 IS vs the XZ-1.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD980 IS and XZ-1 is 95 and 88 respectively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Olympus XZ-1 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it's difficult to visualize the difference in sensor measurements purely by going through technical specs. The graphic below may provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD980 IS and XZ-1.
As you can tell, both of the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The SD980 IS having a smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh harder and the Canon SD980 IS will produce greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images much more aggressively. The older SD980 IS will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SD980 IS vs Olympus XZ-1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Olympus XZ-1 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS | Olympus XZ-1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Olympus |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SD980 IS | Olympus XZ-1 |
Alternate name | Digital IXUS 200 IS | - |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2009-08-19 | 2011-01-26 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Digic 4 | TruePic V |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/1.63" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 8.07 x 5.56mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 44.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3664 x 2752 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-120mm (5.0x) | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | f/1.8-2.5 |
Macro focusing distance | 3cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 4.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 614k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen tech | - | OLED |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 60 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/3000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.50 m | 8.60 m (ISO 800) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
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) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 150 gr (0.33 pounds) | 275 gr (0.61 pounds) |
Dimensions | 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") | 111 x 65 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 34 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 18.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 10.4 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 117 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 320 photos |
Battery format | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-6L | Li-50B |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at launch | - | $567 |