Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS8
95 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31
92 Imaging
36 Features
39 Overall
37
Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs
(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
- Launched August 2009
- Additionally Known as Digital IXUS 200 IS
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 210g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
- Introduced July 2011
- Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
- Superseded the Panasonic ZS7
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The following is a thorough analysis of the Canon SD980 IS versus Panasonic ZS8, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Canon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SD980 IS (12MP) and the ZS8 (14MP) is pretty close and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").
Photography GlossaryThe SD980 IS was manufactured 23 months prior to the ZS8 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the SD980 IS scores vs the ZS8 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Below is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SD980 IS & Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon SD980 IS Gallery & Panasonic ZS8 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Panasonic ZS8
| SD980 IS | ZS8 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Touch friendly screen | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Canon SD980 IS
| ZS8 | SD980 IS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | July 2011 | August 2009 | Newer by 23 months |
Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Panasonic ZS8
| SD980 IS | ZS8 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | No manual focus | |||
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen sizing | 3" | 3" | Equivalent screen measurement | |
| Screen resolution | 230k | 230k | Equal screen resolution | |
| Selfie screen | Missing selfie screen |
Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera often, you have to consider its weight and size. The Canon SD980 IS comes with external dimensions of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS8 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).
See the Canon SD980 IS versus Panasonic ZS8 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the SD980 IS versus the ZS8.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD980 IS and ZS8 is 95 and 92 respectively.
Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is hard to see the difference in sensor dimensions purely by viewing specs. The pic here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SD980 IS and ZS8.
As you can plainly see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Panasonic ZS8 to render more detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged SD980 IS will be behind with regard to sensor technology.
Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SD980 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Canon | Panasonic |
| Model type | Canon PowerShot SD980 IS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 |
| Also referred to as | Digital IXUS 200 IS | Lumix DMC-TZ18 |
| Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Launched | 2009-08-19 | 2011-07-19 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | Digic 4 | Venus Engine FHD |
| 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 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4320 x 3240 |
| Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
| Minimum native ISO | 80 | 100 |
| RAW images | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Total focus points | 9 | 11 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 24-120mm (5.0x) | 24-384mm (16.0x) |
| Maximal aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | f/3.3-5.9 |
| Macro focusing distance | 3cm | 3cm |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Screen resolution | 230 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Screen technology | - | TFT LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 15 secs | 60 secs |
| Max shutter speed | 1/3000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames per sec | 2.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash distance | 6.50 m | 5.00 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | H.264 | MPEG-4 |
| Mic port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| 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 proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 150g (0.33 lb) | 210g (0.46 lb) |
| 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 Overall 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 | - | 340 pictures |
| Style of battery | - | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | NB-6L | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage type | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
| Card slots | One | One |
| Price at release | - | $275 |