• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 33.00mm - 132.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSC-S980 advantages over Canon 170 IS

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.53 vs 1.20 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.5 vs f/3.6
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 310 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.0 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon 170 IS advantages over Sony DSC-S980

  • More telephoto lens reach
    300 mm vs 132 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Newer
    10 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More pixels
    20.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 33 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 1 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

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

User reviews

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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 170 IS
Pentax P70
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Canon 170 IS 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 170 IS
Pentax P80
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Pentax P80

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 170 IS
Olympus FE-4020
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $150
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Olympus FE-4020

Compared to Canon 350 HS

Sony DSC-S980
Canon 350 HS
  • $149
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $209
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Sony DSC-S980 vs Canon 350 HS

Canon 170 IS
Canon 350 HS
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $209
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Canon 350 HS

Compared to Canon 360 HS

Sony DSC-S980
Canon 360 HS
  • $149
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $284
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Sony DSC-S980 vs Canon 360 HS

Canon 170 IS
Canon 360 HS
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $284
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Canon 170 IS vs Canon 360 HS

Compare Other Cameras?