Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX78
95 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31


95 Imaging
35 Features
31 Overall
33
Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX78 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX78 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SD980 IS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78. The full galleries are viewable at Canon SD980 IS Gallery and Panasonic FX78 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2011 | ![]() | August 2009 | Newer by 17 months |
Screen dimensions | 3.5" | ![]() | 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic FX78 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS | Panasonic 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 |