Canon SX30 IS vs Sony S980
64 Imaging
36 Features
42 Overall
38
94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Canon SX30 IS vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(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- Superseded the Canon SX20 IS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
(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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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").
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope CameraThe 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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Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX30 IS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The full galleries are viewable at Canon SX30 IS Gallery & Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX30 IS over the Sony S980
| SX30 IS | S980 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | September 2010 | February 2009 | Fresher by 20 months | |
| Display type | Fully Articulated | Fixed | 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 sizing | 2.7" | 2.7" | Equivalent display sizing | |
| Display resolution | 230k | 230k | The 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SX30 IS vs Sony S980 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SX30 IS | Sony 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 |