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Canon SD980 IS vs Sony WX50

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony WX50 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
  • Released August 2009
  • Alternative Name is Digital IXUS 200 IS
Sony WX50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Canon SD980 IS vs Sony WX50 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Canon SD980 IS versus Sony WX50, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Canon and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the SD980 IS (12MP) and WX50 (16MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SD980 IS was unveiled 3 years before the WX50 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a detailed comparison, below is a simple summation of how the SD980 IS matches up vs the WX50 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Sony WX50

 SD980 IS WX50 
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony WX50 over the Canon SD980 IS

 WX50 SD980 IS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012August 2009More modern by 29 months
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Sony WX50

 SD980 IS WX50 
Focus manually No manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony WX50 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon SD980 IS offers exterior dimensions of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) and the Sony WX50 has proportions of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Check the Canon SD980 IS versus Sony WX50 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have at that moment. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the SD980 IS and the WX50.

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony WX50 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD980 IS and WX50 is 95 and 96 respectively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony WX50 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony WX50 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to see the gap in sensor sizes just by viewing a spec sheet. The image underneath may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SD980 IS and WX50.

Clearly, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Sony WX50 to render more detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SD980 IS will be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony WX50 sensor size comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony WX50 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony WX50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Portrait photography details
Sony WX50 Portrait photography details
20
manual focus not available
no external flash support
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
34
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Street photography information
Sony WX50 Street photography information
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (117g)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Sports photography camera
Sony WX50 as a Sports photography camera
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
44
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Travel photography features
Sony WX50 Travel photography features
58
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than others (117 grams)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony WX50 as a Landscape photography camera
38
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
38
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Vlogging information
Sony WX50 Vlogging information
30
relatively wide (24mm)
touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone port
35
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (117g)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone socket
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Canon SD980 IS vs Sony WX50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD980 IS and Sony WX50
 Canon PowerShot SD980 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
General Information
Make Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
Also Known as Digital IXUS 200 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-08-19 2012-01-30
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focus distance 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - Clearfoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/3000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.50 m 5.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 150 gr (0.33 pounds) 117 gr (0.26 pounds)
Dimensions 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 92 x 52 x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 life - 240 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Launch cost - $250