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Canon SX130 IS vs Sony S980

Portability
85
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34
Canon PowerShot SX130 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Canon SX130 IS vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Canon SX130 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-336mm (F3.4-5.6) lens
  • 308g - 113 x 73 x 46mm
  • Launched August 2010
  • Replacement is Canon SX150 IS
Sony S980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Released February 2009
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Canon SX130 IS vs Sony S980 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Canon SX130 IS versus Sony S980, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SX130 IS (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is relatively close and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SX130 IS was released 19 months after the S980 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief overview of how the SX130 IS scores vs the S980 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX130 IS over the Sony S980

 SX130 IS S980 
ReleasedAugust 2010February 2009Newer by 19 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Canon SX130 IS

 S980 SX130 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX130 IS and Sony S980

 SX130 IS S980 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Canon SX130 IS vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon SX130 IS offers outer measurements of 113mm x 73mm x 46mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.8") and a weight of 308 grams (0.68 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX130 IS versus Sony S980 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the SX130 IS versus the S980.

Canon SX130 IS vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SX130 IS and S980 is 85 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX130 IS vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX130 IS vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions merely by viewing specifications. The pic here might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SX130 IS and S980.

Plainly, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact MP and you should expect comparable quality of pictures though you might want to consider the release date of the cameras into account. The more modern SX130 IS will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Canon SX130 IS vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Canon SX130 IS vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX130 IS vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX130 IS
Portrait photography with Sony S980
29
focusing manually
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
27
you can focus manually
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SX130 IS as a Street photography camera
Sony S980 as a Street photography camera
58
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (308g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
47
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX130 IS Sports photography details
Sony S980 Sports photography details
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
17
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX130 IS as a Travel photography camera
Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than competitors (308 grams)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
very long reach (336mm)
no Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX130 IS Landscape photography highlights
Sony S980 Landscape photography highlights
42
focusing manually
really wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
27
you can focus manually
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX130 IS Vlogging info
Sony S980 Vlogging info
29
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (308g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic socket
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone port
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Canon SX130 IS vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX130 IS and Sony S980
 Canon PowerShot SX130 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX130 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-08-19 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-336mm (12.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.4-5.6 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2500s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 308 grams (0.68 lb) 167 grams (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 113 x 73 x 46mm (4.4" x 2.9" x 1.8") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $250 $300