Canon SX280 HS vs Sony S980
91 Imaging
36 Features
43 Overall
38


94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Canon SX280 HS vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced March 2013
- Previous Model is Canon SX270 HS
(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
- Released February 2009

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony S980 Overview
Below, we are matching up the Canon SX280 HS vs Sony S980, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SX280 HS (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is very similar and they come with the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SX280 HS was brought out 4 years after the S980 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before going straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a short highlight of how the SX280 HS grades against the S980 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony S980 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX280 HS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The entire galleries are available at Canon SX280 HS Gallery & Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Sony S980
SX280 HS | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | March 2013 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 50 months |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Canon SX280 HS
S980 | SX280 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Sony S980
SX280 HS | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | No Touch display |
Canon SX280 HS vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon SX280 HS has got physical measurements of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Sony S980 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Analyze the Canon SX280 HS vs Sony S980 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose at that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the SX280 HS versus the S980.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SX280 HS and S980 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is very tough to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by going over technical specs. The image here will give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX280 HS and S980.
As you have seen, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same exact resolution so you can expect similar quality of pictures however you may want to take the age of the products into consideration. The more modern SX280 HS will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Sony S980 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Sony |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX280 HS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2013-03-21 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 6 | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | 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 | 12 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-500mm (20.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.5-6.8 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focus range | 5cm | 10cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3" | 2.7" |
Resolution of screen | 461 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 15 seconds | 2 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/3200 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 3.50 m | 3.50 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
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) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 233g (0.51 lbs) | 167g (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 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 | 210 photos | - |
Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-6L | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch price | $325 | $300 |