Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S980
88 Imaging
39 Features
41 Overall
39
94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- 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
- Old Model is Canon SX160 IS
(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
- Introduced February 2009
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Following is a detailed analysis of the Canon SX170 IS versus Sony S980, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the SX170 IS (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope CameraThe SX170 IS was unveiled 4 years after the S980 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the SX170 IS matches up versus the S980 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX170 IS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The full galleries are viewable at Canon SX170 IS Gallery & Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Sony S980
| SX170 IS | S980 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | August 2013 | February 2009 | More modern by 55 months | |
| Display size | 3" | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Canon SX170 IS
| S980 | SX170 IS |
|---|
Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Sony S980
| SX170 IS | S980 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | More accurate focus | |||
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display resolution | 230k | 230k | Same display resolution | |
| Selfie screen | Neither contains selfie screen | |||
| Touch display | Neither contains Touch display |
Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and size. The Canon SX170 IS has got physical dimensions of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Sony S980 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Check the Canon SX170 IS versus Sony S980 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using during that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the SX170 IS vs the S980.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX170 IS and S980 is 88 and 94 respectively.
Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes just by going over technical specs. The image underneath may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX170 IS and S980.
As you have seen, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size but different MP. You can expect to see the Canon SX170 IS to deliver greater detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more modern SX170 IS provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.
Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SX170 IS vs Sony S980 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Canon | Sony |
| Model | Canon PowerShot SX170 IS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
| Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
| Revealed | 2013-08-22 | 2009-02-17 |
| Body design | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | Digic 4 | - |
| Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
| 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 | 16 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
| RAW format | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection focus | ||
| Contract detection focus | ||
| Phase detection focus | ||
| Number of focus points | - | 9 |
| Cross focus points | - | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 28-448mm (16.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
| Max aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/3.3-5.2 |
| Macro focus distance | 1cm | 10cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
| Screen resolution | 230k dot | 230k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch display | ||
| Screen technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 15 seconds | 2 seconds |
| Max shutter speed | 1/3200 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
| Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | 3.00 m | 3.50 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance 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, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
| Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
| Mic jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| 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 seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 251 grams (0.55 lbs) | 167 grams (0.37 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 300 photos | - |
| Battery form | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery model | NB-6LH | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Launch price | $0 | $300 |