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Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax Q

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
47
Overall
40

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax Q 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
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 200 IS
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Introduced June 2011
  • Replacement is Pentax Q10
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Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax Q Overview

Following is a in-depth overview of the Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax Q, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the SD980 IS (12MP) and the Q (12MP) is pretty close and both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SD980 IS was announced 22 months earlier than the Q which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Canon SD980 IS being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the SD980 IS grades against the Q in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Pentax Q

 SD980 IS Q 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Canon SD980 IS

 Q SD980 IS 
IntroducedJune 2011August 2009More modern by 22 months
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Pentax Q

 SD980 IS Q 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon SD980 IS has outer dimensions of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") having a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

See the Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax Q in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the SD980 IS against the Q.

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax Q size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SD980 IS and Q is 95 and 93 respectively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its difficult to see the gap in sensor sizes simply by viewing a spec sheet. The image underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD980 IS and Q.

Clearly, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the identical MP therefore you can expect comparable quality of images but you should consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The more aged SD980 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD980 IS
Portrait photography with Pentax Q
21
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
45
manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Street photography details
Pentax Q Street photography details
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
lighter than competitors (180 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Sports photography highlights
Pentax Q Sports photography highlights
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
32
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (230 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD980 IS
Travel photography with Pentax Q
58
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
does not have Timelapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
57
lighter than competitors (180g)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (230 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Landscape photography advice
Pentax Q Landscape photography advice
38
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse function
51
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (230 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Vlogging features
Pentax Q Vlogging features
31
really wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone support
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (180g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
missing external mic support
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Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD980 IS and Pentax Q
 Canon PowerShot SD980 ISPentax Q
General Information
Make Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Pentax Q
Other name Digital IXUS 200 IS -
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2009-08-19 2011-06-23
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
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
Min native ISO 80 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Number of lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/3000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.50 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 150g (0.33 lb) 180g (0.40 lb)
Physical dimensions 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 47
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 189
Other
Battery life - 230 shots
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost - $695