Clicky

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
32
Features
30
Overall
31

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 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
  • Released August 2009
  • Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 200 IS
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Here is a extensive comparison of the Canon SD980 IS versus Panasonic ZS3, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SD980 IS (12MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SD980 IS was unveiled 4 months later than the ZS3 so they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a full comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the SD980 IS matches up against the ZS3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

        

Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Panasonic ZS3

 SD980 IS ZS3 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Canon SD980 IS

 ZS3 SD980 IS 
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Panasonic ZS3

 SD980 IS ZS3 
ReleasedAugust 2009May 2009Similar age
Focus manually No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon SD980 IS features exterior dimensions of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS3 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check the Canon SD980 IS versus Panasonic ZS3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the SD980 IS versus the ZS3.

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD980 IS and ZS3 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizing merely by checking a spec sheet. The visual underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SD980 IS and ZS3.

Clearly, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Canon SD980 IS to give greater detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography advice
20
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
19
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography advice
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (229g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Sports Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography factors
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Travel photography camera
58
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse function
low MP (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
62
lighter than competitors (229 grams)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
no Time Lapse mode
low MP (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Landscape photography features
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography features
38
relatively wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
35
quite wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
low MP (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SD980 IS
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS3
30
relatively wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone socket
29
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (229 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic support
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD980 IS and Panasonic ZS3
 Canon PowerShot SD980 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Company Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Alternative name Digital IXUS 200 IS Lumix DMC-TZ7
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-08-19 2009-05-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
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 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/3000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.50 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic 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 lb) 229 gr (0.50 lb)
Physical dimensions 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 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/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release - $200