• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • 75.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SD980 IS advantages over Sigma DP3 Merrill

  • Less expensive
    $330 vs $1000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • More telephoto lens reach
    120 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 240 vs 97 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    152g vs 400g
    Lighter weight
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/3000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sigma DP3 Merrill advantages over Canon SD980 IS

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.00 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    14.8 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.0 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX37

Canon SD980 IS
Panasonic DMC-FX37
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More pixels
  • $289
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure
Sigma DP3 Merrill
Panasonic DMC-FX37
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $289
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

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
Sigma DP3 Merrill
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

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
Sigma DP3 Merrill
Panasonic DMC-FX580S
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon SD960 IS

Canon SD980 IS
Canon SD960 IS
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Wider angle lens
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
Sigma DP3 Merrill
Canon SD960 IS
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

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
Sigma DP3 Merrill
Canon SD3500 IS
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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