• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon SD980 IS advantages over Ricoh WG-50

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 69 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Ricoh WG-50 advantages over Canon SD980 IS

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • More telephoto lens reach
    140 mm vs 120 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Newer
    7 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.1 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SD980 IS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Ricoh WG-50
Ricoh WG-50 (Black)
  • Ricoh WG-50 (Black)
  • Ricoh WG-50 (Orange)
All WG-50 Deals

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

Compare Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Ricoh WG-50
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $233
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Manual focus
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Thinner

Compare Ricoh WG-50 vs Panasonic DMC-FX48S

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

Compare Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic DMC-FX580S

Ricoh WG-50
Panasonic DMC-FX580S
  • $233
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Manual focus
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Thinner

Compare Ricoh WG-50 vs Panasonic DMC-FX580S

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

Compare Canon SD980 IS vs Canon SD3500 IS

Ricoh WG-50
Canon SD3500 IS
  • $233
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Thinner

Compare Ricoh WG-50 vs Canon SD3500 IS

Compared to Olympus TG-860

Canon SD980 IS
Olympus TG-860
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Canon SD980 IS vs Olympus TG-860

Ricoh WG-50
Olympus TG-860
  • $233
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Ricoh WG-50 vs Olympus TG-860

Compared to Olympus TG-870

Canon SD980 IS
Olympus TG-870
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon SD980 IS vs Olympus TG-870

Ricoh WG-50
Olympus TG-870
  • $233
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Ricoh WG-50 vs Olympus TG-870

Compare Other Cameras?