Canon SX510 HS vs Sony S980
80 Imaging
36 Features
41 Overall
38
94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Canon SX510 HS vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
- 349g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
- Released August 2013
- Succeeded the Canon SX500 IS
- Updated by Canon SX520 HS
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
- 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
- Announced February 2009
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Lets look a bit more closely at the Canon SX510 HS and Sony S980, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Sony. The image resolution of the SX510 HS (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideThe SX510 HS was released 4 years after the S980 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before going straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SX510 HS scores vs the S980 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX510 HS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon SX510 HS Gallery & Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX510 HS over the Sony S980
| SX510 HS | S980 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | August 2013 | February 2009 | More modern by 55 months | |
| Screen dimensions | 3" | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") | |
| Screen resolution | 461k | 230k | Crisper screen (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Canon SX510 HS
| S980 | SX510 HS |
|---|
Common features in the Canon SX510 HS and Sony S980
| SX510 HS | S980 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Dial accurate focusing | |||
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Selfie screen | Neither has selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly screen | Absent Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX510 HS vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon SX510 HS has exterior dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") having a weight of 349 grams (0.77 lbs) while the Sony S980 has measurements 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 SX510 HS and Sony S980 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the SX510 HS vs the S980.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SX510 HS and S980 is 80 and 94 respectively.
Canon SX510 HS vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizes only by looking at a spec sheet. The image below might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX510 HS and S980.
Clearly, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact resolution therefore you can expect similar quality of files though you need to consider the launch date of the products into consideration. The more recent SX510 HS provides a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.
Canon SX510 HS vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon SX510 HS vs Sony S980 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SX510 HS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Canon | Sony |
| Model type | Canon PowerShot SX510 HS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
| Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
| Released | 2013-08-22 | 2009-02-17 |
| Body design | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | Digic 4 | - |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
| Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW pictures | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect autofocus | ||
| Contract detect autofocus | ||
| Phase detect autofocus | ||
| Total focus points | 1 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 24-720mm (30.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
| Maximal aperture | f/3.4-5.8 | f/3.3-5.2 |
| Macro focusing range | 0cm | 10cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display size | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
| Resolution of display | 461k dot | 230k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Display tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 2 seconds |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
| Continuous shooting speed | 4.0fps | 1.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | 5.00 m | 3.50 m |
| Flash options | Auto, on, slow synchro, off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
| Microphone input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Built-In | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 349 grams (0.77 pounds) | 167 grams (0.37 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") | 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 life | 250 photos | - |
| Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery ID | NB-6LH | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Price at launch | $249 | $300 |