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Canon SX170 IS vs Kodak Z980

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
41
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Kodak EasyShare Z980 front
Portability
68
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36

Canon SX170 IS vs Kodak Z980 Key Specs

Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 251g - 108 x 71 x 44mm
  • Revealed August 2013
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX160 IS
Kodak Z980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 445g - 124 x 91 x 105mm
  • Launched January 2009
Photography Glossary

Canon SX170 IS vs Kodak Z980 Overview

The following is a thorough review of the Canon SX170 IS and Kodak Z980, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Canon and Kodak. There is a crucial difference between the image resolutions of the SX170 IS (16MP) and Z980 (12MP) but they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was unveiled 4 years after the Z980 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick summary of how the SX170 IS scores versus the Z980 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Kodak Z980

 SX170 IS Z980 
LaunchedAugust 2013January 2009Newer by 57 months
Display resolution230k201kSharper display (+29k dot)

Reasons to pick Kodak Z980 over the Canon SX170 IS

 Z980 SX170 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Kodak Z980

 SX170 IS Z980 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Canon SX170 IS vs Kodak Z980 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX170 IS offers outer measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Kodak Z980 has dimensions of 124mm x 91mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 4.1") accompanied by a weight of 445 grams (0.98 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX170 IS and Kodak Z980 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the SX170 IS compared to the Z980.

Canon SX170 IS vs Kodak Z980 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SX170 IS and Z980 is 88 and 68 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Kodak Z980 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Kodak Z980 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions just by checking technical specs. The picture below might provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SX170 IS and Z980.

As you have seen, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Canon SX170 IS to resolve more detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The newer SX170 IS is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX170 IS vs Kodak Z980 sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Kodak Z980 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Kodak Z980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX170 IS
Portrait photography with Kodak Z980
44
manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
has face detection focusing
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
40
has manual focus
delivers RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS as a Street photography camera
Kodak Z980 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (251 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
54
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX170 IS
Sports photography with Kodak Z980
48
incredible zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
33
amazing zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography advice
Kodak Z980 Travel photography advice
68
lighter than average in class (251 grams)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
great zoom (448mm)
no Time Lapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
51
built-in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
great reach (624mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
resolution not great (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography details
Kodak Z980 Landscape photography details
49
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
45
has manual focus
relatively wide (26mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging info
Kodak Z980 Vlogging info
31
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
lighter than average in class (251 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic port
23
relatively wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic support
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Canon SX170 IS vs Kodak Z980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Kodak Z980
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISKodak EasyShare Z980
General Information
Brand Canon Kodak
Model type Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Kodak EasyShare Z980
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-08-22 2009-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
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 - 25
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 26-624mm (24.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing distance 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 201k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 16 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 6.30 m
Flash modes Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 251 grams (0.55 lb) 445 grams (0.98 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 124 x 91 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 4.1")
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 300 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6LH 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $0 $249