Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WS80
95 Imaging
34 Features
28 Overall
31


95 Imaging
33 Features
20 Overall
27
Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WS80 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
- Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 200 IS
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 64 - 6400
- 1280 x 720 video
- 35-175mm (F3.8-4.7) lens
- 125g - 92 x 60 x 22mm
- Revealed August 2009

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WS80 Overview
Lets take a deeper look at the Canon SD980 IS and Pentax WS80, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the SD980 IS (12MP) and the WS80 (10MP) is relatively close and both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The SD980 IS was announced at a similar time to the WS80 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before diving right into a complete comparison, here is a short highlight of how the SD980 IS matches up vs the WS80 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WS80 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SD980 IS and Pentax Optio WS80. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon SD980 IS Gallery and Pentax WS80 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Pentax WS80
SD980 IS | WS80 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Canon SD980 IS
WS80 | SD980 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus |
Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Pentax WS80
SD980 IS | WS80 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | August 2009 | ![]() | August 2009 | Same generation |
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Equal screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen |
Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WS80 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to carry your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Canon SD980 IS features external dimensions of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) while the Pentax WS80 has measurements of 92mm x 60mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).
Examine the Canon SD980 IS and Pentax WS80 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the SD980 IS versus the WS80.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD980 IS and WS80 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WS80 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is very tough to envision the gap in sensor sizing only by researching a spec sheet. The visual here should provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD980 IS and WS80.
As you can see, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Canon SD980 IS to result in more detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs more aggressively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WS80 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WS80 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS | Pentax Optio WS80 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Pentax |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SD980 IS | Pentax Optio WS80 |
Otherwise known as | Digital IXUS 200 IS | - |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Waterproof |
Launched | 2009-08-19 | 2009-08-05 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Digic 4 | Prime |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 64 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-120mm (5.0x) | 35-175mm (5.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | f/3.8-4.7 |
Macro focusing distance | 3cm | - |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 2.7" |
Screen resolution | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/3000 secs | 1/1500 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames per second | 1.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.50 m | 3.40 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance 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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 150 grams (0.33 lb) | 125 grams (0.28 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") | 92 x 60 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") |
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 ID | NB-6L | D-LI68 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus | SD/SDHC card, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch price | - | $220 |