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Canon SX520 HS vs Sony S980

Portability
69
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Canon PowerShot SX520 HS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Canon SX520 HS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1008mm (F3.4-6.0) lens
  • 441g - 120 x 82 x 92mm
  • Introduced July 2014
  • Old Model is Canon SX510 HS
  • Updated by Canon SX530 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
  • Introduced February 2009
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Canon SX520 HS vs Sony S980 Overview

Following is a extensive analysis of the Canon SX520 HS and Sony S980, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Canon and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the SX520 HS (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX520 HS was launched 5 years after the S980 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a short overview of how the SX520 HS grades against the S980 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX520 HS over the Sony S980

 SX520 HS S980 
IntroducedJuly 2014February 2009More modern by 67 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Canon SX520 HS

 S980 SX520 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX520 HS and Sony S980

 SX520 HS S980 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX520 HS enjoys outer measurements of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 441 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Sony S980 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX520 HS and Sony S980 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the SX520 HS and the S980.

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony S980 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX520 HS and S980 is 69 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizes merely by looking through technical specs. The pic here might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX520 HS and S980.

As you can tell, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should anticipate the Canon SX520 HS to render extra detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images a little more aggressively. The fresher SX520 HS should have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX520 HS vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Portrait photography advice
Sony S980 Portrait photography advice
44
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
27
focusing manually
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX520 HS
Street photography with Sony S980
46
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
47
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Sports photography features
Sony S980 Sports photography features
45
long zoom range (24-1008mm 42.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
max fps low (2.0 fps)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (210 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
17
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Travel photography highlights
Sony S980 Travel photography highlights
55
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long zoom (1008mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (210 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Landscape photography highlights
Sony S980 Landscape photography highlights
45
has manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
bad battery pack (210 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
27
focusing manually
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX520 HS Vlogging info
Sony S980 Vlogging info
29
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.4)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic support
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone port
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Canon SX520 HS vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX520 HS and Sony S980
 Canon PowerShot SX520 HSSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Company Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot SX520 HS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2014-07-29 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4+ -
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 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1008mm (42.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.4-6.0 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 0cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.50 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 441 grams (0.97 pounds) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 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 -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6LH -
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
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $219 $300