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Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
58
Overall
48

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 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
  • Introduced August 2009
  • Also referred to as Digital IXUS 200 IS
Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Introduced January 2014
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS45
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Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Canon SD980 IS and Panasonic ZS40, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Canon and Panasonic. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the SD980 IS (12MP) and ZS40 (18MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SD980 IS was launched 5 years earlier than the ZS40 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the SD980 IS scores against the ZS40 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Panasonic ZS40

 SD980 IS ZS40 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Canon SD980 IS

 ZS40 SD980 IS 
IntroducedJanuary 2014August 2009More recent by 53 months
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Panasonic ZS40

 SD980 IS ZS40 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SD980 IS provides external dimensions of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") and a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS40 has proportions of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Compare the Canon SD980 IS and Panasonic ZS40 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the SD980 IS vs the ZS40.

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD980 IS and ZS40 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to visualise the difference in sensor measurements only by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic below will give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD980 IS and ZS40.

Clearly, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Panasonic ZS40 to result in extra detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots more aggressively. The older SD980 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography factors
20
no manual focus
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
51
focusing manually
good megapixels (18MP)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Street photography information
Panasonic ZS40 Street photography information
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
69
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (240 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS40 Sports photography advice
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
54
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Travel photography camera
58
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
no Time Lapse function
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competition in class (240 grams)
good megapixels (18MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD980 IS
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS40
38
fairly wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Time Lapse function
55
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18MP)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging information
30
fairly wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic jack
34
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (240 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic port
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Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD980 IS and Panasonic ZS40
 Canon PowerShot SD980 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Also Known as Digital IXUS 200 IS Lumix DMC-TZ60
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-08-19 2014-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 3cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/3000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.50 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB 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 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 150 grams (0.33 lb) 240 grams (0.53 lb)
Physical dimensions 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" 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 life - 300 photos
Battery form - 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 Single Single
Price at release - $450