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Canon SD980 IS vs Sony WX500

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
56
Overall
48

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony WX500 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
  • Revealed August 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 200 IS
Sony WX500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 236g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Announced April 2015
  • Replaced the Sony WX350
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Canon SD980 IS vs Sony WX500 Overview

Here, we are comparing the Canon SD980 IS versus Sony WX500, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Canon and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the image resolutions of the SD980 IS (12MP) and WX500 (18MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SD980 IS was brought out 6 years earlier than the WX500 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a thorough comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the SD980 IS grades vs the WX500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Sony WX500

 SD980 IS WX500 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Canon SD980 IS

 WX500 SD980 IS 
AnnouncedApril 2015August 2009Newer by 68 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Sony WX500

 SD980 IS WX500 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and size. The Canon SD980 IS has external measurements of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") and a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) while the Sony WX500 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") having a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

Compare the Canon SD980 IS versus Sony WX500 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have at that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the SD980 IS compared to the WX500.

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony WX500 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SD980 IS and WX500 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony WX500 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by going over a spec sheet. The pic here will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SD980 IS and WX500.

As you can see, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size but different MP. You can expect to see the Sony WX500 to offer you more detail having its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images way more aggressively. The more aged SD980 IS is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony WX500 sensor size comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD980 IS vs Sony WX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Portrait photography features
Sony WX500 Portrait photography features
20
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
39
decent megapixels (18MP)
offers face detection focus
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Street photography info
Sony WX500 Street photography info
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
69
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (236g)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Sports photography details
Sony WX500 Sports photography details
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
57
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
offers tracking autofocus
great battery life (360 shots)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD980 IS
Travel photography with Sony WX500
58
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
does not have Timelapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
71
great battery life (360 shots)
lighter than competition (236 grams)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD980 IS
Landscape photography with Sony WX500
38
rather wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
49
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
great battery life (360 shots)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Vlogging camera
Sony WX500 as a Vlogging camera
30
rather wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone jack
35
pretty wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (236 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic port
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Canon SD980 IS vs Sony WX500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD980 IS and Sony WX500
 Canon PowerShot SD980 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
Otherwise known as Digital IXUS 200 IS -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-08-19 2015-04-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing distance 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/3000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.50 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
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 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 150 gr (0.33 lbs) 236 gr (0.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
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 - 360 images
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release - $348