• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot SD980 IS
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: SD980 IS A850
Alternate Model Number(s): Digital IXUS 200 IS  
Camera Format: Ultra Compact Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $329.99 $1999.95
Street Price: $249.00 $2,219.00
Date Available: 2009-10-15 2009-10-08
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 5.4 oz (152 g)
includes batteries
30.0 oz (850 g)
Size: 3.9 x 2.1 x 0.9 in.
(100 x 53 x 23 mm)
6.2 x 4.6 x 3.2 in.
(156 x 117 x 82 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 24.6
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch 35mm
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 861.6mm2 (35.90mm x 24.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.54 microns 5.94 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a 1.0x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 16:9 3:2, 16:9
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:   Fixed
Self-Cleaning: No Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:   79
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):   23.8
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):   12.2
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):   1,415
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
6048 x 4032 (24.4 MP, 3:2),
6048 x 3408 (20.6 MP, Other),
4400 x 2936 (12.9 MP, 3:2),
4400 x 2472 (10.9 MP, 16:9),
3984 x 2656 (10.6 MP, 3:2),
3024 x 2016 (6.1 MP, 3:2),
2896 x 1928 (5.6 MP, 3:2),
3024 x 1704 (5.2 MP, Other),
1984 x 1320 (2.6 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2) JPEG (EXIF 2.21), RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 0.8 3.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes No
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (30)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM)  
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 24 - 120mm  
Focal Length (actual): 4.3 - 21.5mm  
Zoom Ratio: 5.00x  
Aperture Range: f/2.8 (W) - f/5.9 (T)  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
 
Macro Focus Range: 5 - 50 cm
2.0 - 19.7 in
 
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: Yes No
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 5x n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection 9-point TTL phase detection with 10 assist points, center dual-cross at f/2.8.
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: No Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD Optical / LCD (playback only)
Viewfinder Type:   SLR type; eye-level pentaprism with 98% coverage, 0.74x mag., 20mm eyepoint, -3 to +1 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):   0.74x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):   0.74x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 921,600 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 19.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   3200
Minimum ISO (native):   200
ISO Settings: Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200* (*special scene mode) Auto, 200-3200, Extensions to 100 and 6400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Color Temperature from 2,500K to 9,900K, Custom (3)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/3000 - 15 sec 1/8000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: No Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot (center), Face Detect AE 40-segment Honeycomb Pattern, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: No Yes
Shutter Priority: No Yes
Full Manual Exposure: No Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Aquarium, Underwater, ISO 3200, Indoor, Kids & Pets, Night Snapshot), Color Accent, Color Swap, Digital Macro, Stitch Assist, Long Shutter, Creative Light Effects  
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Auto Red-eye Correction, Flash On, Flash Off; FE lock, Slow Synchro n/a
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 1.6 - 11 ft./50cm - 3.5m (W), 2.9 - 4.9ft./90cm - 1.5m (T) n/a
Max Flash Sync:   1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a Hot shoe, PC-sync
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC CF1 / CF2 / MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / Microdrive
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No Yes
RAW Capture Support: No Yes
Uncompressed Format:   RAW, cRAW, RAW+JPEG; (ARW 2.0)
Movie File Format: MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: PCM)  
Included Memory: No memory included  
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes
Remote Control Type:   Optional wired or wireless
Connections (extended):   DC input, Multi-connector, Sync termimal, Remote terminal, HDMI Type-C minijack
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 2.29 0.40
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):   0.50
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):   23
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 0.8 3.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited 23
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.46 seconds 0.18 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.42 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):   0.154 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.085 seconds 0.074 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 1.7 seconds 0.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time:   0.3 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 8.0 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 240 shots  
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   880 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-6L Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-6L Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Canon Software Suite CD-ROM Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR, Remote Camera Control (all Windows & Macintosh), Picture Motion Browser (Windows only).
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows 2000Pro/XP/Vista; Mac OS X (v 10.1.3+)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Optical Image Stabilization, Touch Screen LCD, Smart Auto, Face, Blink and Motion Detection, Intelligent Contrast Correction, HD Movies, HDMI Output. Available in Silver, Blue, Purple and Gold. Cost reduced Sony A900. Smaller viewfinder (98% vs 100%), slower burst mode (3 fps vs 5), wireless remote not included.