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Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic TS3

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
31
Overall
34

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic TS3 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
  • Released August 2009
  • Additionally Known as Digital IXUS 200 IS
Panasonic TS3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 197g - 103 x 64 x 27mm
  • Revealed August 2011
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FT3
  • Succeeded the Panasonic TS2
  • Renewed by Panasonic TS4
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Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic TS3 Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic TS3, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Waterproof by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SD980 IS (12MP) and the TS3 (12MP) is pretty comparable and they feature the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SD980 IS was manufactured 24 months before the TS3 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise summation of how the SD980 IS scores against the TS3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Panasonic TS3

 SD980 IS TS3 
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic TS3 over the Canon SD980 IS

 TS3 SD980 IS 
RevealedAugust 2011August 2009More modern by 24 months

Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Panasonic TS3

 SD980 IS TS3 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic TS3 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SD980 IS features outer dimensions of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") and a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) while the Panasonic TS3 has measurements of 103mm x 64mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") and a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic TS3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the SD980 IS vs the TS3.

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic TS3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD980 IS and TS3 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic TS3 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic TS3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to see the gap in sensor sizes only by checking out a spec sheet. The image below might offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD980 IS and TS3.

As you can see, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the identical MP and you can expect comparable quality of photos however you might want to consider the launch 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 TS3 sensor size comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic TS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic TS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Portrait photography details
Panasonic TS3 Portrait photography details
21
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
21
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Street photography information
Panasonic TS3 Street photography information
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Sports photography info
Panasonic TS3 Sports photography info
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
38
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
better than average battery pack (310 per charge)
low max shutter speed (1/1,300s)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Travel photography details
Panasonic TS3 Travel photography details
58
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
no Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
64
better than average battery pack (310 CIPA)
weather proofing
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic TS3 as a Landscape photography camera
38
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Timelapse function
38
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
better than average battery pack (310 shots)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SD980 IS
Vlogging with Panasonic TS3
31
decently wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone port
32
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone support
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Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic TS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD980 IS and Panasonic TS3
 Canon PowerShot SD980 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-TS3
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3
Alternative name Digital IXUS 200 IS Lumix DMC-FT3
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Released 2009-08-19 2011-08-16
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 Venus Engine FHD
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 surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 28-128mm (4.6x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/3000 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.50 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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
Microphone 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 150 gr (0.33 lbs) 197 gr (0.43 lbs)
Dimensions 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 103 x 64 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 310 photos
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release - $380