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Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
37
Overall
35

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 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
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 200 IS
Panasonic ZS15
(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
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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").

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The 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.

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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 
IntroducedJune 2012August 2009More recent by 34 months
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Panasonic ZS15

 SD980 IS ZS15 
Focus manually Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SD980 IS and ZS15 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography information
20
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
21
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS15 Street photography factors
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (208 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Sports photography features
Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography features
25
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
36
long zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
max fps low (2.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery (260 shots)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography info
58
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
61
lighter than others (208g)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great zoom (384mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
terrible battery (260 CIPA)
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Landscape photography camera
38
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
36
fairly wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
terrible battery (260 shots)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Vlogging info
Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging info
30
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic socket
33
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (208 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
lack of external microphone support
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Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD980 IS and Panasonic ZS15
 Canon PowerShot SD980 ISPanasonic 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