Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S980
87 Imaging
33 Features
28 Overall
31
![Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/w300/fronton/Canon-PowerShot-SX120-IS.jpg)
![Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-S980/Sony-S980-front.jpg)
94 Imaging
35 Features
17 Overall
27
Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 36-360mm (F2.8-4.3) lens
- 285g - 111 x 71 x 45mm
- Announced August 2009
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
- 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
- Revealed February 2009
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S980 Overview
Here is a complete analysis of the Canon SX120 IS and Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SX120 IS (10MP) and the S980 (12MP) is fairly close but the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and S980 (1/2.3") boast different sensor measurements.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
The SX120 IS was launched 7 months later than the S980 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before diving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise view of how the SX120 IS matches up versus the S980 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S980 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX120 IS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The complete galleries are provided at Canon SX120 IS Gallery & Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Sony S980
SX120 IS | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | August 2009 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 7 months |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Canon SX120 IS
S980 | SX120 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Sony S980
SX120 IS | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither includes Touch display |
Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
In case you're going to carry your camera often, you have to factor its weight and size. The Canon SX120 IS features outer measurements of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) while the Sony S980 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Compare the Canon SX120 IS and Sony S980 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the SX120 IS compared to the S980.
![Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S980 size comparison Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S980 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-PowerShot-SX120-IS-vs-Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-S980-size-comparison.jpg)
Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX120 IS and S980 is 87 and 94 respectively.
![Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-PowerShot-SX120-IS-vs-Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-S980-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is very tough to visualize the gap in sensor sizing simply by researching specifications. The visual below may give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX120 IS and S980.
To sum up, each of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SX120 IS due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Sony S980 will render greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics way more aggressively. The younger SX120 IS should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.
![Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Canon-PowerShot-SX120-IS-vs-Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-S980-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder
![Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-PowerShot-SX120-IS-vs-Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-S980-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S980 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Sony |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2009-08-19 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.5" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 5.744 x 4.308mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 24.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 3:2 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 36-360mm (10.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/2.8-4.3 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 6.3 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15s | 2s |
Max shutter speed | 1/2500s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | 3.50 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/500s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 285 gr (0.63 pounds) | 167 gr (0.37 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") | 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
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 ID | 2 x AA | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch price | $249 | $300 |