Clicky

Canon SX270 HS vs Sony S980

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX270 HS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Canon SX270 HS vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Canon SX270 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 233g - 106 x 63 x 33mm
  • Announced March 2013
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX260 HS
  • New Model is Canon SX280 HS
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
  • Announced February 2009
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Canon SX270 HS vs Sony S980 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Canon SX270 HS and Sony S980, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Canon and Sony. The resolution of the SX270 HS (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is fairly comparable and they possess the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

The SX270 HS was released 4 years later than the S980 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief overview of how the SX270 HS grades versus the S980 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon SX270 HS over the Sony S980

 SX270 HS S980 
AnnouncedMarch 2013February 2009Fresher by 50 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Canon SX270 HS

 S980 SX270 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX270 HS and Sony S980

 SX270 HS S980 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Canon SX270 HS vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SX270 HS provides outside measurements of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 233 grams (0.51 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).

Compare the Canon SX270 HS and Sony S980 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have at that moment. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the SX270 HS against the S980.

Canon SX270 HS vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SX270 HS and S980 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX270 HS vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX270 HS vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing simply by checking out specifications. The photograph below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SX270 HS and S980.

Plainly, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same MP so you should expect comparable quality of pictures though you might want to take the production date of the cameras into account. The more recent SX270 HS provides a benefit in sensor innovation.

Canon SX270 HS vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Canon SX270 HS vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX270 HS vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX270 HS Portrait photography advice
Sony S980 Portrait photography advice
34
you can focus manually
provides face detect focus
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
27
has manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX270 HS
Street photography with Sony S980
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (233 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
47
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Sports Comparison

Canon SX270 HS as a Sports photography camera
Sony S980 as a Sports photography camera
36
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
slow frames per second (4.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (210 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
17
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Travel Comparison

Canon SX270 HS Travel photography advice
Sony S980 Travel photography advice
61
lighter than others (233 grams)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (210 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX270 HS
Landscape photography with Sony S980
41
you can focus manually
really wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
terrible battery pack (210 shots)
missing Time Lapse recording
27
has manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX270 HS as a Vlogging camera
Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
34
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (233 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
missing mic support
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone port
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Canon SX270 HS vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX270 HS and Sony S980
 Canon PowerShot SX270 HSSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Name Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX270 HS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-03-21 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 233 gr (0.51 lbs) 167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") 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 life 210 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $284 $300