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Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S980

Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Canon SX120 IS
(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
Sony S980
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Sony S980

 SX120 IS S980 
RevealedAugust 2009February 2009Fresher by 7 months
Display size3"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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact 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

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

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Portrait photography details
Sony S980 Portrait photography details
33
has manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/500s)
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
27
manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX120 IS
Street photography with Sony S980
51
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
more heavy than others in class (285g)
47
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Sports photography features
Sony S980 Sports photography features
26
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect auto focus
17
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Travel photography camera
Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
very long reach (360mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than others in class (285g)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S980 as a Landscape photography camera
36
has manual focus
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
27
manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX120 IS
Vlogging with Sony S980
23
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external microphone jack
more heavy than others in class (285g)
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic jack
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Canon SX120 IS vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX120 IS and Sony S980
 Canon PowerShot SX120 ISSony 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