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Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS45

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
55
Overall
46

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS45 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
  • Announced August 2009
  • Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 200 IS
Panasonic ZS45
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 249g - 108 x 60 x 32mm
  • Launched January 2015
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ57
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS40
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS50
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Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS45 Overview

The following is a extended assessment of the Canon SD980 IS and Panasonic ZS45, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Canon and Panasonic. There is a noticeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the SD980 IS (12MP) and ZS45 (16MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SD980 IS was unveiled 6 years earlier than the ZS45 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the SD980 IS grades vs the ZS45 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Panasonic ZS45

 SD980 IS ZS45 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS45 over the Canon SD980 IS

 ZS45 SD980 IS 
LaunchedJanuary 2015August 2009Newer by 65 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1040k230kSharper display (+810k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Panasonic ZS45

 SD980 IS ZS45 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS45 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SD980 IS comes with outer dimensions of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") along with a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS45 has specifications of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs).

Compare the Canon SD980 IS and Panasonic ZS45 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at the time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the SD980 IS versus the ZS45.

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS45 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SD980 IS and ZS45 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS45 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS45 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to envision the gap in sensor dimensions merely by viewing a spec sheet. The picture here should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SD980 IS and ZS45.

Clearly, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Panasonic ZS45 to render more detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more aged SD980 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS45 sensor size comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS45 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS45 Portrait photography information
20
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
37
decent MP (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SD980 IS
Street photography with Panasonic ZS45
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
69
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (249 grams)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS45 Sports photography highlights
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
55
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
provides tracking focus
better than average battery power (350 CIPA)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS45 Travel photography info
58
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
better than average battery power (350 CIPA)
lighter than others in class (249g)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
missing Timelapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Landscape photography advice
Panasonic ZS45 Landscape photography advice
38
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
47
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
better than average battery power (350 CIPA)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS45 as a Vlogging camera
30
really wide (24mm)
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (249 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
missing microphone port
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Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS45 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD980 IS and Panasonic ZS45
 Canon PowerShot SD980 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model type Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
Otherwise known as Digital IXUS 200 IS Lumix DMC-TZ57
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-08-19 2015-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 21
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance 3cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/3000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.50 m 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone 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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 150g (0.33 pounds) 249g (0.55 pounds)
Physical dimensions 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 108 x 60 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 350 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 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
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price - $300