Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Review

Touchscreen technology has at long last been included in Canon’s products. In an only right move, they introduced this innovative new feature on the Canon PowerShot SD980 IS, one of the Digital ELPH line’s models that stands out for its particular characteristics. Because it is the first ELPH camera to sport a 24mm lens, the Canon SD980 is a one-of-a-kind device.

The Canon SD980 boasts several great features, including a CCD image sensor with 12.1 megapixels, a 5x optical zoom lens, a DIGIC 4 image processor, and the most recent iterations of Face Detection, Blink Detection, and Motion Detection. It also has a lot of other great specs.

Because of its streamlined design and compact size, the Canon PowerShot SD980 is very convenient to store. A wrist strap gives a little more security when you’re on the go, and the SD980’s belt includes a small pen to assist you with the new touchscreen if necessary. Gentle curves guarantee it won’t snag on pockets, and a wrist strap provides added protection when moving.

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Canon PowerShot SD980IS 12.1MP Digital Camera with 5x Ultra Wide Angle Optical...

Last update was on: January 19, 2024 1:56 pm

When you don’t have the time to figure out exposure settings, you can still get fantastic pictures with the Canon SD980, thanks to its variety of intelligent automated settings, which can be used with the camera’s minimal external controls. There are no fewer than 20 different shooting modes available for selection, or you may use the user-friendly Smart Auto mode, which chooses an exposure mode for you based on one of 22 different shooting scenarios that have been specified.

White balance, metering mode, image stabilization, and contrast are some of the exposure options available on the Canon SD980 IS. Other exposure options include ISO (up to 3,200 via a particular scene mode), image stabilization, and contrast. Advanced users will appreciate these and other exposure options.

Canon PowerShot SD980 IS designed & Build with Quality.

Even though we aren’t often fond of touchscreens, we think Canon did an excellent job with this one by restricting the touchscreen’s functions and still providing some control buttons. As a result, the Canon PowerShot SD980 IS the first Canon’s Digital ELPH line model to have an LCD touchscreen.

The Canon SD980 delivers the same fantastic usability and performance that we have come to expect from the PowerShot family of cameras. This model is relatively small and features an easy-to-learn point-and-shoot interface.

The Canon SD980 IS one of the most compact PowerShot models, and because of its streamlined design, it fits nicely in hand and is an excellent choice for carrying in pockets.

The Canon SD980 weighs only 5.4 ounces (152g) and measures only 3.9 x 2.1 x 0.9 inches (100 x 53 x 23mm). Yet, it is compact enough to fit into evening bags, pant pockets, or shirt pockets.

Because the Canon SD980 has such smooth curves and is too small to have a handgrip, I highly recommend attaching and utilizing the wrist strap to avoid the camera slipping through your fingers while using it. This will also save your hands from getting tired.

However, the Canon emblem on the front panel is slightly elevated, which provides some grip for the fingers as they cradle the right side of the device. However, this is about all you get.

Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Image Quality

The color appears somewhat accurate, with tiny variations in saturation and hue. For example, bright reds are oversaturated, but the PowerShot SD980 IS does an excellent job keeping bright blues closer to how they appear in real life.

In terms of color, the cyans are visibly pushed toward blue, and some yellows are made toward green, but the effects are positive. Tones of red and pink have been subtly added to lighter skin tones, while yellow-orange undertones have been brought out in deeper complexion tones. Performance that is, on the whole, better than average here.

Noise is discernible at ISO 80 to 200, with substantial blurring beginning at ISO 400. Detail is well-defined in these ISO settings. At ISOs 400 and above, luminance noise becomes the primary concern, and at ISOs 800 and 1,600, fine detail becomes significantly more obscured.

At an ISO setting of 3,200, the camera must lower the maximum resolution to maintain whatever level of detail it can; however, the resulting images are still somewhat grainy.

Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Performance

The lag time for the full autofocus shutter is quite good, coming in at 0.46 seconds while shooting at wide-angle and 0.42 seconds at full telephoto. The prefocus shutter latency is 0.085 seconds, which is a good time.

The cycle time is reasonable in single-shot mode, with a picture taken once every 2.29 seconds. However, the continuous way of the SD980 is rated at 0.8 frames per second by Canon, which is a somewhat sluggish pace.

After a discharge at maximum power, the flash of the Canon PowerShot SD980 IS recycles in around 8 seconds, which is on the lower end of the spectrum.

Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Specifications

Body typeCompact
Max resolution4000 x 3000
Other resolutions4000 x 2248, 3264 x 2448, 2592 x 1944, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480, 320 x 240
Image ratio w h4:3, 16:9
Effective pixels12 megapixels
Sensor size1/2.3″ (6.17 x 4.55 mm)
Sensor typeCCD
ProcessorDigic 4
ISOAuto, 80,100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
White balance presets6
Custom white balanceYes
Image stabilizationOptical
Uncompressed formatNo
JPEG quality levelsFine, Normal
Focal length (Equiv.)24–120 mm
Optical zoom
Maximum apertureF2.8–5.9
AutofocusContrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaSingleLive View
Digital zoomYes (4x)
Manual focusNo
Macro focus range3 cm (1.18″)
Number of focus points9
Articulated LCDFixed
Screen size3″
Screen dots230,000
Touch screenYes
Live viewNo
Viewfinder typeNone
Minimum shutter speed15 sec
Maximum shutter speed1/3000 sec
Aperture priorityNo
Shutter priorityNo
Manual exposure modeYes
Subject/scene modesYes
Built-in flashYes
Flash Range6.50 m
External flashNo
Flash modesAuto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Continuous drive0.8 fps
Self-timerYes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Metering modesMultiCenter-weighted spot
Exposure compensation±2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Resolutions1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
FormatH.264
MicrophoneMono
SpeakerNone
Storage typesSD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus
USBUSB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMIYes
Environmentally sealedNo
BatteryBattery Pack
Battery descriptionLithium-Ion NB-6L rechargeable battery & charger
Weight (inc. batteries)150 g (0.33 lb / 5.29 oz)
Dimensions100 x 53 x 23 mm (3.94 x 2.09 x 0.91″)
Orientation sensorYes
GPSNone

Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Conclusion

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Canon PowerShot SD980IS 12.1MP Digital Camera with 5x Ultra Wide Angle Optical...

Last update was on: January 19, 2024 1:56 pm

Combining the well-known Canon Digital ELPH brand with cutting-edge LCD touchscreen technology is, without a shadow of a doubt, a potent combination in and of itself.

Moreover, the PowerShot SD980 is capable since it has a CCD with 12.1 megapixels, a strong DIGIC 4 engine, a 5x optical zoom lens, and image stabilization.

The Canon SD980 IS provides a high level of quality despite its small size through its excellent exposure and color in general, its small number of settings, and its overall ease of use.

Furthermore, the Face, Blink, and Motion Detection technologies and the 22 different preset circumstances may be used in conjunction with the Smart Auto mode to achieve the ideal exposure in a wide range of shooting scenarios.

Canon PowerShot SD980 IS FAQs

When did the Canon PowerShot SD980 IScome out?

In August 2009, Canon made the PowerShot SD980 available to consumers.

Is a Canon PowerShot SD980 a professional camera?

It is not a camera that professionals use; instead, it is a digital camera that is small and intended for use in everyday life and by hobbyist photographers. Image stabilization, facial detection, and the ability to capture high-definition video are some of the advanced features of the Canon PowerShot SD980 IS point-and-shoot camera’s impressive feature set.

Even though it lacks some of the more sophisticated features and interchangeable lenses found on professional cameras, it can still produce high-quality pictures. It is a favorite option among amateur photographers.

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