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Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX78

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX78 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
  • Announced August 2009
  • Also referred to as Digital IXUS 200 IS
Panasonic FX78
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 100 x 55 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2011
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FX77
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Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX78 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Canon SD980 IS and Panasonic FX78, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SD980 IS (12MP) and the FX78 (12MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SD980 IS was revealed 17 months before the FX78 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short view of how the SD980 IS matches up versus the FX78 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Panasonic FX78

 SD980 IS FX78 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Canon SD980 IS

 FX78 SD980 IS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011August 2009Newer by 17 months
Screen dimensions3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")

Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Panasonic FX78

 SD980 IS FX78 
Manual focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX78 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera, you have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD980 IS offers physical measurements of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) while the Panasonic FX78 has dimensions of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Check the Canon SD980 IS and Panasonic FX78 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the SD980 IS vs the FX78.

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX78 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD980 IS and FX78 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX78 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX78 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to see the gap in sensor dimensions only by seeing specifications. The pic underneath will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SD980 IS and FX78.

To sum up, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same MP and you should expect comparable quality of files although you need to take the production date of the cameras into account. The more aged SD980 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX78 sensor size comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX78 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX78 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Portrait photography advice
Panasonic FX78 Portrait photography advice
20
no manual focus
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
21
no manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Street photography info
Panasonic FX78 Street photography info
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SD980 IS
Sports photography with Panasonic FX78
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,400 seconds)
slow frames per second (4.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery (200 shots)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FX78 as a Travel photography camera
58
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
56
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
no Time Lapse function
not so great battery (200 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Landscape photography factors
Panasonic FX78 Landscape photography factors
38
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
36
fairly wide (24mm)
screen larger than average (3.5 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
not so great battery (200 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Vlogging factors
Panasonic FX78 Vlogging factors
30
really wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone support
33
fairly wide (24mm)
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
no mic jack
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Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX78 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD980 IS and Panasonic FX78
 Canon PowerShot SD980 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-FX78
General Information
Company Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78
Also called Digital IXUS 200 IS Lumix DMC-FX77
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-08-19 2011-01-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.5-5.9
Macro focus distance 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3.5 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/3000 seconds 1/1400 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.50 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 150g (0.33 lbs) 142g (0.31 lbs)
Physical dimensions 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 200 images
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch - $210