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Canon SX30 IS vs Sony S980

Portability
64
Imaging
36
Features
42
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Canon SX30 IS vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Canon SX30 IS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-840mm (F2.7-5.8) lens
  • 601g - 123 x 92 x 108mm
  • Announced September 2010
  • Superseded the Canon SX20 IS
  • Newer Model is Canon SX40 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
  • Revealed February 2009
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Canon SX30 IS vs Sony S980 Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Canon SX30 IS versus Sony S980, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the SX30 IS (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is fairly close and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX30 IS was revealed 20 months later than the S980 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX30 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SX30 IS grades against the S980 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX30 IS over the Sony S980

 SX30 IS S980 
RevealedSeptember 2010February 2009Fresher by 20 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Canon SX30 IS

 S980 SX30 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX30 IS and Sony S980

 SX30 IS S980 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display sizing
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Canon SX30 IS vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and volume. The Canon SX30 IS features outside dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") and a weight of 601 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX30 IS versus Sony S980 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the SX30 IS versus the S980.

Canon SX30 IS vs Sony S980 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX30 IS and S980 is 64 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX30 IS vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to see the contrast in sensor sizing just by researching a spec sheet. The visual here might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX30 IS and S980.

As you can see, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Canon SX30 IS to result in more detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos far more aggressively. The newer SX30 IS is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX30 IS vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX30 IS vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Portrait photography advice
Sony S980 Portrait photography advice
41
focusing manually
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
27
has manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Street photography factors
Sony S980 Street photography factors
49
screen articulates
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
heavier than competitors (601g)
47
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX30 IS
Sports photography with Sony S980
43
amazing zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
17
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX30 IS as a Travel photography camera
Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
57
good megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (840mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors (601g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
51
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Landscape photography features
Sony S980 Landscape photography features
40
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
27
has manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX30 IS
Vlogging with Sony S980
49
relatively wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic support
heavier than competitors (601 grams)
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic jack
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Canon SX30 IS vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX30 IS and Sony S980
 Canon PowerShot SX30 ISSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-09-14 2009-02-17
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-840mm (35.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.7-5.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 0cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 601 gr (1.32 lbs) 167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") 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 NB-7L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $400 $300