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Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX48

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX48 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
  • Announced August 2009
  • Also Known as Digital IXUS 200 IS
Panasonic FX48
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 150g - 95 x 53 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FX40
Photography Glossary

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX48 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX48, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SD980 IS (12MP) and the FX48 (12MP) is pretty well matched and they possess the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SD980 IS was manufactured 7 months after the FX48 so they are of a similar age. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise summation of how the SD980 IS grades vs the FX48 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Panasonic FX48

 SD980 IS FX48 
IntroducedAugust 2009January 2009Newer by 7 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX48 over the Canon SD980 IS

 FX48 SD980 IS 

Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Panasonic FX48

 SD980 IS FX48 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX48 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera, you will want to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon SD980 IS has got external measurements of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") along with a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FX48 has measurements of 95mm x 53mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX48 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using during that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the SD980 IS against the FX48.

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX48 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD980 IS and FX48 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX48 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX48 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its hard to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions just by checking a spec sheet. The pic underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SD980 IS and FX48.

Clearly, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical resolution so you can expect similar quality of files however you would want to factor the age of the products into consideration. The newer SD980 IS provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX48 sensor size comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX48 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX48 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Portrait photography features
Panasonic FX48 Portrait photography features
20
no manual focus
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
27
features face detect focus
no manual focus
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FX48 as a Street photography camera
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Sports photography details
Panasonic FX48 Sports photography details
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD980 IS
Travel photography with Panasonic FX48
58
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
missing Timelapse function
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
58
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD980 IS
Landscape photography with Panasonic FX48
38
decently wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Timelapse function
33
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FX48 as a Vlogging camera
30
decently wide (24mm)
touch screen
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone socket
30
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
missing microphone port
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Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX48 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD980 IS and Panasonic FX48
 Canon PowerShot SD980 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-FX48
General Information
Make Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48
Also called Digital IXUS 200 IS Lumix DMC-FX40
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-08-19 2009-01-27
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.5"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/3000 seconds 1/3000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.50 m 6.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
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) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 150g (0.33 pounds) 150g (0.33 pounds)
Dimensions 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 95 x 53 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" 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 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price - $325