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Canon SD980 IS vs Sony H90

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90 front
Portability
91
Imaging
38
Features
35
Overall
36

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony H90 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
  • Launched August 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 200 IS
Sony H90
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 222g - 105 x 60 x 34mm
  • Launched February 2012
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Canon SD980 IS vs Sony H90 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Canon SD980 IS versus Sony H90, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Canon and Sony. There is a crucial difference between the sensor resolutions of the SD980 IS (12MP) and H90 (16MP) but they come with the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SD980 IS was unveiled 3 years before the H90 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise view of how the SD980 IS grades against the H90 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Sony H90

 SD980 IS H90 
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony H90 over the Canon SD980 IS

 H90 SD980 IS 
LaunchedFebruary 2012August 2009Fresher by 30 months
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Sony H90

 SD980 IS H90 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony H90 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SD980 IS provides exterior measurements 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 Sony H90 has specifications of 105mm x 60mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 222 grams (0.49 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SD980 IS versus Sony H90 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the SD980 IS compared to the H90.

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony H90 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SD980 IS and H90 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony H90 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony H90 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing purely by going over technical specs. The visual here might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SD980 IS and H90.

As you can tell, both of those cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You should expect to see the Sony H90 to offer you extra detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The older SD980 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony H90 sensor size comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony H90 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony H90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD980 IS
Portrait photography with Sony H90
20
no manual focus
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
36
good megapixels (16MP)
features face detect focusing
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Street photography highlights
Sony H90 Street photography highlights
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (222g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Sports photography camera
Sony H90 as a Sports photography camera
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
44
incredible zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Travel photography camera
Sony H90 as a Travel photography camera
58
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than others in class (222g)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
missing Time Lapse function
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD980 IS
Landscape photography with Sony H90
38
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
44
quite wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Vlogging factors
Sony H90 Vlogging factors
30
rather wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic support
32
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
lighter than others in class (222g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic jack
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Canon SD980 IS vs Sony H90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD980 IS and Sony H90
 Canon PowerShot SD980 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-H90
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H90
Also called Digital IXUS 200 IS -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-08-19 2012-02-28
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 BIONZ
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 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 461k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/3000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.50 m 3.70 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 150g (0.33 pounds) 222g (0.49 pounds)
Dimensions 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 105 x 60 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.4" 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 - 290 images
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail cost - $230