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Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS50

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
Portability
90
Imaging
36
Features
57
Overall
44

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 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
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 200 IS
Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Introduced January 2015
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS45
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS60
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Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS50, 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 ZS50 (12MP) is relatively well matched and they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SD980 IS was brought out 6 years prior to the ZS50 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a concise overview of how the SD980 IS grades versus the ZS50 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Panasonic ZS50

 SD980 IS ZS50 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Canon SD980 IS

 ZS50 SD980 IS 
IntroducedJanuary 2015August 2009More recent by 65 months
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen resolution1040k230kCrisper screen (+810k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Panasonic ZS50

 SD980 IS ZS50 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SD980 IS has got external measurements of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS50 has measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs).

Check the Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use at that moment. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the SD980 IS and the ZS50.

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD980 IS and ZS50 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to visualize the gap between sensor measurements just by looking at specs. The visual underneath may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SD980 IS and ZS50.

All in all, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same megapixels so you can expect similar quality of images however you should always factor the age of the products into consideration. The older SD980 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 sensor size comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS50 as a Portrait photography camera
20
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
41
you can focus manually
includes face detection focus
saves RAW files
no external flash support
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Street photography info
Panasonic ZS50 Street photography info
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
68
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition (243g)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Sports photography details
Panasonic ZS50 Sports photography details
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
43
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS50 Travel photography highlights
58
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
low megapixels (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
66
lighter than competition (243g)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
low MP (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS50 Landscape photography information
38
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
51
you can focus manually
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SD980 IS
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS50
30
relatively wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone support
34
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (243 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic socket
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Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD980 IS and Panasonic ZS50
 Canon PowerShot SD980 ISPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Panasonic
Model Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
Also referred to as Digital IXUS 200 IS Lumix DMC-TZ70
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-08-19 2015-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 -
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 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range 3cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/3000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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 (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 port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 150 grams (0.33 pounds) 243 grams (0.54 pounds)
Dimensions 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 44
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.2
DXO Low light score not tested 138
Other
Battery life - 300 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch - $350