Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS15
95 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
92 Imaging
35 Features
37 Overall
35
Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 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
- Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 200 IS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
- Introduced June 2012
- Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ25
- Newer Model is Panasonic ZS20
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview
Its time to look much closer at the Canon SD980 IS versus Panasonic ZS15, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SD980 IS (12MP) and the ZS15 (12MP) is very well matched and they use the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesThe SD980 IS was unveiled 3 years prior to the ZS15 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving through a thorough comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the SD980 IS grades vs the ZS15 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope Camera Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SD980 IS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15. The full galleries are available at Canon SD980 IS Gallery & Panasonic ZS15 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Panasonic ZS15
| SD980 IS | ZS15 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Touch display | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Canon SD980 IS
| ZS15 | SD980 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | June 2012 | August 2009 | More recent by 34 months | |
| Display resolution | 460k | 230k | Clearer display (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Panasonic ZS15
| SD980 IS | ZS15 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | Lack of manual focusing | |||
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display dimension | 3" | 3" | Identical display measurements | |
| Selfie screen | Missing selfie screen |
Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and volume. The Canon SD980 IS features physical dimensions of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS15 has sizing of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).
Analyze the Canon SD980 IS versus Panasonic ZS15 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the SD980 IS versus the ZS15.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SD980 IS and ZS15 is 95 and 92 respectively.
Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it's tough to imagine the gap between sensor measurements simply by checking technical specs. The graphic underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD980 IS and ZS15.
As you have seen, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of images although you need to factor the age of the products into consideration. The older SD980 IS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.
Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SD980 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Canon | Panasonic |
| Model | Canon PowerShot SD980 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 |
| Alternate name | Digital IXUS 200 IS | Lumix DMC-TZ25 |
| Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Announced | 2009-08-19 | 2012-06-29 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | Digic 4 | - |
| Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
| 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 files | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detect focus | ||
| Contract detect focus | ||
| Phase detect focus | ||
| Number of focus points | 9 | 23 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 24-120mm (5.0x) | 24-384mm (16.0x) |
| Max aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | f/3.3-5.9 |
| Macro focus distance | 3cm | 3cm |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of display | 230k dots | 460k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 15 secs |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/3000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Continuous shooting rate | 1.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | 6.50 m | 6.40 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
| External flash | ||
| 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) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
| Video data 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 | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 150 gr (0.33 lbs) | 208 gr (0.46 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") | 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") |
| 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 | - | 260 images |
| Battery style | - | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | NB-6L | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Type of storage | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Pricing at launch | - | $279 |