• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 33.00mm - 132.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 122.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSC-S980 advantages over Canon A490

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.5 vs f/3.0
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More dots on screen
    230k vs 115k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    12.1 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    33 mm vs 37 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.0 fps vs 0.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon A490 advantages over Sony DSC-S980

  • Less expensive
    $110 vs $149 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 310 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 1 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 100 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Pentax P70

Sony DSC-S980
Pentax P70
  • $149
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Wider angle lens
  • Longer exposure

Compare Sony DSC-S980 vs Pentax P70

Canon A490
Pentax P70
  • $75
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Manual focus

Compare Canon A490 vs Pentax P70

Compared to Pentax P80

Sony DSC-S980
Pentax P80
  • $149
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Wider angle lens
  • Longer exposure

Compare Sony DSC-S980 vs Pentax P80

Canon A490
Pentax P80
  • $75
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Manual focus

Compare Canon A490 vs Pentax P80

Compared to Canon A495

Sony DSC-S980
Canon A495
  • $149
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $86
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure

Compare Sony DSC-S980 vs Canon A495

Canon A490
Canon A495
  • $75
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $86
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Canon A490 vs Canon A495

Compared to Olympus FE-4020

Sony DSC-S980
Olympus FE-4020
  • $149
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $150
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Wider angle lens

Compare Sony DSC-S980 vs Olympus FE-4020

Canon A490
Olympus FE-4020
  • $75
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $150
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Thinner

Compare Canon A490 vs Olympus FE-4020

Compared to Canon A800

Sony DSC-S980
Canon A800
  • $149
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $90
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony DSC-S980 vs Canon A800

Canon A490
Canon A800
  • $75
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $90
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon A490 vs Canon A800

Compare Other Cameras?