Test Images (click to enlarge)
Still Life	Multi Target

Basic Specifications
Resolution:	12.10 Megapixels
Lens:	5.00x zoom (24-120mm eq.)
Viewfinder:	LCD
LCD Size:	3.0 inch
ISO:	80-3200
Shutter:	15-1/3000
Max Aperture:	2.8
Mem Type:	SDHC / SD
Battery:	Custom LiIon
Dimensions:	3.9 x 2.1 x 0.9 in. (100 x 53 x 23 mm)
Weight:	4.6 oz (130 g)
MSRP:	$330
Availability:	10/2009

12.10 Megapixels	5.00x zoom	3.0 inch LCD

The Powershot SD980 has a sensor resolution of twelve megapixels from a 1/2.3" CCD image sensor, which feeds data to a DIGIC 4 image processor. The SD980 design includes an optically stabilized, Canon branded 5x zoom lens which offers 35mm-equivalent focal lengths from a healthy 24mm wide angle to a 120mm telephoto. The Canon PowerShot SD980's lens can focus as close as two inches (5 cm) in macro mode. The Canon SD980's maximum aperture varies from f/2.8 to f/5.9 across the zoom range.

On the SD980's rear panel is a touch-sensitive 3.0-inch LCD display comprised of 230,000 dots, which roughly equates to 77,000 pixels - somewhere in the region of QVGA (320 x 240) resolution. The Canon SD980 IS' display marks the first time a Canon digital camera has featured a touch-screen, used to control much of the camera's operation. For example, Touch AF allows focusing on a specific point in the frame with the touch of a finger, and Touch Actions allow swiping the finger in specific directions - for example up and left - to accomplish actions like rotating, erasing or tagging images in playback mode. Unlike many touch-screen cameras which do away with almost everything but the power and shutter controls, the Powershot SD980 still includes quite a selection of "hard" controls as well. Adjacent to the LCD panel are Menu and Playback buttons, as well as a rotary dial inside which is a four-way controller with central "Function Set" button.

The Canon PowerShot SD980 IS doesn't offer manual or aperture / shutter priority modes, opting instead for a Program auto mode and a variety of scene modes including 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, and Creative Light Effects. The SD980IS includes a contrast detection aufocusing system with an AF assist lamp to help out in low-light conditions. Exposures are calculated using Evaluative, Center-Weighted, or Spot metering, and the SD980 includes a face detection function linked to both the autofocus and autoexposure systems.

As well as still images, the Canon PowerShot SD980IS can capture video clips at 720p (1280 x 720 pixels) high definition resolution or below. Video clips have a frame rate of 30 frames per second with monaural sound, using H.264 MOV compression. The SD980 IS stores its images and video clips on SD or SDHC cards, and draws power from a proprietary NB-6L Lithiium Ion rechargeable battery. The Powershot SD980 IS includes HDMI high-def and NTSC / PAL standard-def video output, and USB 2.0 High-Speed connectivity.

The Canon PowerShot SD980 IS will ship from October 2009. Pricing for the SD980IS has been set at $330.