Canon SX600 HS vs Sony S980
93 Imaging
40 Features
45 Overall
42


94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Canon SX600 HS vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1280 video
- 25-450mm (F3.8-6.9) lens
- 188g - 104 x 61 x 26mm
- Announced January 2014
- Replacement is Canon SX610 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
- Revealed February 2009

Canon SX600 HS vs Sony S980 Overview
Below, we will be matching up the Canon SX600 HS versus Sony S980, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Sony. There exists a large gap between the sensor resolutions of the SX600 HS (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but they use the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SX600 HS was manufactured 4 years after the S980 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a simple view of how the SX600 HS matches up against the S980 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX600 HS vs Sony S980 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot SX600 HS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The entire galleries are viewable at Canon SX600 HS Gallery & Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX600 HS over the Sony S980
SX600 HS | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2014 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 60 months |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Canon SX600 HS
S980 | SX600 HS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX600 HS and Sony S980
SX600 HS | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither offers Touch screen |
Canon SX600 HS vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon SX600 HS offers external dimensions of 104mm x 61mm x 26mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.0") with a weight of 188 grams (0.41 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Contrast the Canon SX600 HS versus Sony S980 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the SX600 HS against the S980.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SX600 HS and S980 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Canon SX600 HS vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it's tough to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions only by checking technical specs. The pic here might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX600 HS and S980.
As you have seen, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can count on the Canon SX600 HS to give more detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures much more aggressively. The fresher SX600 HS should have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX600 HS vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX600 HS vs Sony S980 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX600 HS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Sony |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX600 HS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2014-01-06 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | DIGIC 4+ | - |
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 surface 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 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-450mm (18.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.8-6.9 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focus range | 5cm | 10cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Resolution of display | 461k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | PureColor II G (TFT) | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15 secs | 2 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0 frames per second | 1.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 3.50 m (50 cm � 3.5 m (W) / 1.0 m � 2.0 m (T)) | 3.50 m |
Flash options | Auto, Manual Flash On / Off, Slow Synchro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1280 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1280 | 1280x720 |
Video format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 188 gr (0.41 lbs) | 167 gr (0.37 lbs) |
Dimensions | 104 x 61 x 26mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.0") | 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 | 290 pictures | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-6LH | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $249 | $300 |