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Canon SD980 IS vs Sony S950

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony S950 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
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 200 IS
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Released February 2009
Photography Glossary

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony S950 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Canon SD980 IS and Sony S950, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Canon and Sony. The resolution of the SD980 IS (12MP) and the S950 (10MP) is relatively close and they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SD980 IS was revealed 7 months later than the S950 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a full comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the SD980 IS grades vs the S950 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Sony S950

 SD980 IS S950 
ReleasedAugust 2009February 2009Fresher by 7 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Canon SD980 IS

 S950 SD980 IS 
Manually focus Dial exact focus

Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Sony S950

 SD980 IS S950 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD980 IS features external measurements of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Sony S950 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Canon SD980 IS and Sony S950 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the SD980 IS and the S950.

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony S950 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD980 IS and S950 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing simply by researching specs. The photograph below will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SD980 IS and S950.

All in all, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Canon SD980 IS to result in extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The younger SD980 IS will have an edge in sensor tech.

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Portrait photography info
Sony S950 Portrait photography info
21
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
26
manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
low resolution (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Street photography factors
Sony S950 Street photography factors
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Sports photography camera
Sony S950 as a Sports photography camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
24
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Travel photography camera
Sony S950 as a Travel photography camera
58
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
missing Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
50
has built in flash
missing Timelapse recording
low resolution (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD980 IS
Landscape photography with Sony S950
38
reasonably wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
31
manual focus
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Vlogging features
Sony S950 Vlogging features
31
reasonably wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone support
9
lack of video recording
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Canon SD980 IS vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD980 IS and Sony S950
 Canon PowerShot SD980 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Also called Digital IXUS 200 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-08-19 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/3000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.50 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
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) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 150g (0.33 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release - $130