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Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax W90

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax W90 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
  • Also Known as Digital IXUS 200 IS
Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Launched February 2010
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Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax W90 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Canon SD980 IS and Pentax W90, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Waterproof by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the SD980 IS (12MP) and the W90 (12MP) is very well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SD980 IS was unveiled 6 months prior to the W90 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a full comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the SD980 IS scores vs the W90 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Pentax W90

 SD980 IS W90 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Canon SD980 IS

 W90 SD980 IS 
Manually focus More precise focus

Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Pentax W90

 SD980 IS W90 
LaunchedAugust 2009February 2010Similar age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SD980 IS features 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) whilst the Pentax W90 has proportions of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") and a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Look at the Canon SD980 IS and Pentax W90 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the SD980 IS against the W90.

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SD980 IS and W90 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizes merely by looking at specs. The image here may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SD980 IS and W90.

As you can plainly see, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of pictures although you have to take the age of the products into consideration.

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Portrait photography info
Pentax W90 Portrait photography info
20
no manual focus
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
27
has manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Street photography information
Pentax W90 Street photography information
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
54
weather proof
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Sports photography information
Pentax W90 Sports photography information
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
24
weather proof
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Travel photography highlights
Pentax W90 Travel photography highlights
58
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
missing Timelapse function
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
64
weather proof
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD980 IS
Landscape photography with Pentax W90
38
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Timelapse function
36
has manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
weather proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Vlogging info
Pentax W90 Vlogging info
30
fairly wide (24mm)
touch screen
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone jack
25
decently wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic jack
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Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD980 IS and Pentax W90
 Canon PowerShot SD980 ISPentax Optio W90
General Information
Make Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Pentax Optio W90
Also referred to as Digital IXUS 200 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Released 2009-08-19 2010-02-24
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/3000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.50 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 150 grams (0.33 pounds) 164 grams (0.36 pounds)
Physical dimensions 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0")
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 ID NB-6L D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch - $120