• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 370.5mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,500

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Differences

Canon SD980 IS advantages over Leica TL

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 33 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    152g vs 384g
    Lighter weight
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Leica TL advantages over Canon SD980 IS

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.77 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Newer
    8 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    1230k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.3 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12500 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Leica TL

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Canon SD980 IS
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Faster shutter
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure
Leica TL
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $1350
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX580S

Canon SD980 IS
Panasonic DMC-FX580S
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure
Leica TL
Panasonic DMC-FX580S
  • $1350
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compared to Canon SD3500 IS

Canon SD980 IS
Canon SD3500 IS
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • More pixels
Leica TL
Canon SD3500 IS
  • $1350
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Canon SD980 IS
Samsung NX3000
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Leica TL
Samsung NX3000
  • $1350
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Internal flash
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Leica TL2

Canon SD980 IS
Leica TL2
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Leica TL
Leica TL2
  • $1350
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2495
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
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