Canon PowerShot SD980 IS vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30: A Hands-On Comparative Review

When digging through compact camera choices from the late 2000s and early 2010s, two models that often come up are the Canon PowerShot SD980 IS and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30. Though these cameras are no longer flagship models, their design and feature sets still hold lessons for enthusiasts seeking compact imaging solutions with solid optics and image quality. Having spent extensive hours testing both cameras in real-world scenarios - from portraits to landscapes, video, and travel shooting - I’m excited to share a comprehensive comparison rooted in firsthand experience and technical analysis.

Let’s dive into the practical differences, strengths, and weaknesses of each, revealing which one might better suit your photography style or professional needs.

Size, Feel and Handling: When Pocketability Meets Ergonomics

Compact cameras are often judged on their portability and comfort during shooting. At 100x53x23mm and 150g, the Canon SD980 IS is a bit chunkier compared to the Sony WX30’s more svelte 92x52x19mm and 117g body. This difference becomes apparent when you slip them into your pocket or purse for daily carry.

Canon’s slightly larger footprint results in a sturdier grip and a robust feel, lending itself well to steady shots without external stabilization gadgets. The Canon’s rounded contours sit nicely in the hand, though without dedicated grip rubber, longer handheld shoots can induce some fatigue.

On the other hand, the Sony WX30 is feather-light and discreet, perfect for street photography or travel where you want a no-fuss, nimble rig. Its slim depth and unobtrusive profile make it less conspicuous - ideal when you want candid shots without attracting attention.

If handling comfort and some additional heft for stability appeal to you, Canon wins here. But if ultra-compact pocketability is your top priority, Sony’s WX30 leads effortlessly.

Top Controls and Interface: Balancing Simplicity and Speed

Looking at the top control layouts reveals the design philosophies Canon and Sony employed. The Canon SD980 IS opts for a straightforward setup with minimal buttons, while the Sony WX30 incorporates a slightly more refined control interface.

Canon’s control dial and shutter release are nicely spaced, offering intuitive access but limited customization. Exposure compensation is available yet lacks dedicated dials for quick changes - something I missed when shooting rapidly changing scenes. The lack of manual aperture or shutter priority modes also limits creative freedom.

Sony, leveraging a newer BIONZ processor and interface, offers an improved menu system with quick access buttons. For example, the autofocus point selector is more responsive, and the inclusion of white balance bracketing adds versatility not present in Canon’s model here. However, the Nikon’s touchscreen functionality is absent, whereas both cameras have fixed, non-touch screens in this generation.

In day-to-day use, the Canon’s simpler layout feels less daunting to beginners, but the Sony’s enhanced menu navigation rewards enthusiasts desiring more direct control without overwhelming complexity.

Sensor and Image Quality: CCD vs BSI-CMOS, The Heart of the Matter

The true measure of a camera often comes down to its sensor technology and resulting image quality. Both cameras sport 1/2.3” sensors measuring approximately 6.17 x 4.55mm, yielding a sensor area near 28 mm². But the Canon uses a 12MP CCD sensor, whereas the Sony boasts a more modern 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor.

From my tests, the difference in sensor type translates directly into real-world performance. Canon’s CCD sensor, though capable in daylight, struggles with noise and dynamic range in low-light conditions. The maximum ISO 1600 native sensitivity is usable but exhibits noticeable grain.

In contrast, Sony’s BSI-CMOS sensor, combined with the advanced BIONZ processor, delivers cleaner images with better high ISO performance (up to ISO 3200). The sensor’s back-illuminated design improves light-gathering abilities, especially visible in shadow details and color fidelity.

Canon’s images tend to have slightly warmer tones - flattering for portraits but less neutral for landscapes. Sony offers a broader dynamic range, preserving highlights and shadows more effectively, which I appreciated shooting into challenging light.

If absolute image quality, especially in varied lighting, matters, Sony’s sensor technology clearly pulls ahead.

Rear LCD and Usability: Screen Technology Makes a Difference

Both cameras include a fixed 3-inch rear screen, but from a usability standpoint, the differences are significant.

Canon’s SD980 IS features a basic LCD with 230k-dot resolution, adequate for framing but lacking detail for precise focusing or image review. The screen’s color reproduction is serviceable but can appear washed out in bright daylight.

Sony ups the ante with a 922k-dot XtraFine TFT LCD, providing a crisper live view and more accurate color rendition. This makes framing macro shots or landscapes easier, where subtle details matter. The WX30 also supports live view with real-time exposure previews, enhancing usability.

Neither device offers an electronic viewfinder (EVF), so reliance on a quality rear LCD is essential. On the sunny days I tested, Sony’s screen was noticeably more watchable, giving me confidence when composing tricky shots.

Zoom Lens Comparison: Reach and Quality Matter

Both cameras employ fixed zoom lenses with similar focal length ranges covering diagonally:

• Canon: 24-120mm equivalent 5x zoom, aperture f/2.8-5.9
• Sony: 25–125mm equivalent, 5x zoom, aperture f/2.6-6.3

While the numbers look close, real-world performance nuances exist. Canon’s slightly wider maximum aperture at the wide end lets more light in, translating to better low light capture and more control over depth of field.

Sony’s lens, while a touch slower at telephoto extremes, delivers sharper images across the zoom range compared to Canon - a result of lens coatings and Sony's optimization techniques. For macro, Canon’s focusing range starts as close as 3cm, great for tight close-ups, whereas Sony starts at 5cm, still decent but a step behind.

During my extensive macro tests, Canon produced more pleasing bokeh and smoother background blur thanks to the larger aperture, giving a creamy aesthetic ideal for flower and product photography.

Autofocus Systems: Precision in a Blink

Autofocus is often the Achilles' heel of compacts, but within their categories, these two cameras perform differently.

Both use contrast-detection autofocus systems with 9 focus points. However, Canon’s CCD-based system in the SD980 IS feels slower and less consistent tracking moving subjects due to limited processing power and algorithm inefficiencies.

Sony’s BSI-CMOS sensor and upgraded BIONZ processor afford snappier autofocus acquisition, especially in good light. The WX30 also supports autofocus center-point selection, aiding precision - something Canon lacks. Continuous autofocus isn’t offered on either.

For capturing fleeting moments - wildlife or kids at play - the WX30’s 10 fps burst shooting vastly outperforms Canon’s single fps limitation, making it the clear choice if speed is critical.

Burst Shooting and Buffer: Action Photography Capabilities

Few would pick a small sensor 12-16MP compact for professional sports, but for casual action or family events, the difference in frame rates is visible.

• Canon SD980 IS shoots continuously at 1 fps
• Sony WX30 achieves up to 10 fps

That difference alone shapes how you capture motion with each. Canon’s sluggish rate makes it tough to nail fast sequences, while Sony’s rapid 10 fps burst gives you many frames to choose the perfect moment.

Keep in mind buffer depth on the WX30 is limited; after a few seconds, it slows. Still, in handheld fast shooting, WX30 feels more capable and versatile.

Video Capabilities: HD Resolution and Frame Rates

Videographers will appreciate that the Sony WX30 supports full HD 1920x1080 at 60fps recording with AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats, delivering smooth motion and better compression.

Canon SD980 IS only records up to HD 1280x720 at 30fps using H.264 format. The lower frame rate restricts capture of fast action, and video quality is noticeably softer.

Neither camera includes microphone or headphone jacks, so audio quality depends on the built-in mic. Both offer HDMI output for external monitoring.

For casual video or travel vlogging, the WX30’s superior video specs and resolution provide more flexibility and future-proofing.

Battery Life and Storage Options: Getting the Most Out of Your Shoot

Battery endurance is a critical factor in real shooting scenarios. Sony quotes a battery life of approximately 250 shots per charge using the NP-BN1 battery, while Canon's figures for the NB-6L battery are unspecified but generally estimated lower based on sensor and electronics efficiency.

In real-world use, I found Sony’s WX30 extends shooting sessions longer before recharge, an advantage on trips or all-day events.

Both cameras store photos on SD/SDHC cards; Sony supports SDXC and Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick formats, offering more versatility. Canon sticks to SD/SDHC/MMC storage.

Connectivity and Extras: Sharing Photos and Practical Features

Neither camera offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS functionality - not unusual given their era - so photo sharing involves transferring via USB 2.0 or removing memory cards.

Canon includes a self-timer (with 2 or 10-second delay), exposure compensation controls, and optical image stabilization (OIS). Sony adds white balance bracketing, helpful in tricky lighting, and a slightly improved OIS system.

Both cameras lack weather sealing, shockproofing, or waterproofing, making them better suited to protected environments.

Use Case Breakdown: Who Should Consider These Cameras?

I captured a wide range of test subjects:

• Portraits: Canon’s warmer color tone and smoother bokeh suit skin tones better, but Sony's detail and dynamic range allow cropping freedom.
• Landscapes: Sony's higher resolution sensor and broader dynamic range pull ahead, especially for challenging lighting.
• Wildlife & Sports: Sony’s autofocus speed, burst shooting, and telephoto reach slightly outperform Canon’s slower system, useful in casual wildlife.
• Street Photography: Sony’s smaller size and quick response make it my pick for inconspicuous shooting.
• Macro: Canon’s closer focusing distance and aperture advantage yield more artistically pleasing macros.
• Night & Astro: Sony supports higher ISO up to 3200 with less noise, preferable for low-light shooting.
• Video: Sony without question offers better specs for moving images.
• Travel: Sony’s compactness, battery life, and image quality make for an all-around travel companion.
• Professional Supplement: Neither camera fits high-end pro workflows, but Sony’s better files offer more in casual product or event snaps.

Canon SD980 IS screen back Sony WX30 front Sony WX30 screen back

The above gallery illustrates side-by-side photo samples revealing these differences.

Performance Summary and Ratings: The Final Tally

To help visualize how these cameras score across multiple factors:

And diving into genre-specific performance:

Sony’s WX30 pulls ahead in image quality, speed, and versatility, while Canon holds appeal in image character and ergonomics.

Final Thoughts: Which Compact Should You Buy?

If you want:

• A compact, versatile point-and-shoot with better image quality, faster autofocus, and superior video capabilities - go for the Sony WX30. Its modern sensor tech and feature set deliver more reliable performance across photography styles.

• A more tactile, slightly chunkier compact that emphasizes smooth skin tones and macro focusing within a simple, straightforward interface - the Canon SD980 IS is still a solid pick, especially if you find used models at a bargain.

In today’s market, both cameras are largely superseded by budget mirrorless or advanced compacts featuring touchscreens, Wi-Fi, and raw capture. However, for enthusiasts enjoying classic compact experiences or tight budgets, understanding these cameras’ real-world merits can guide your choice.

Dear Canon: here’s hoping a modern PowerShot reclaims your leadership in small sensor compacts. Meanwhile, Sony’s early BSI-CMOS implementation in the WX30 tells us they were onto something foundational for great compact imaging.

Whether you lean Canon or Sony, I hope this deep dive helps you make an informed, practical decision aligned with your unique photography goals.

Happy shooting!