• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot SD980 IS
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:    
Successor:    
General
Model Number: SD980 IS DSLR-A550
Alternate Model Number(s): Digital IXUS 200 IS  
Camera Format: Ultra Compact SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $329.99 $1049.99
Street Price: $249.00 $859.40
Date Available: 2009-10-15 2009-10-08
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 5.4 oz (152 g)
includes batteries
32.2 oz (912 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 3.9 x 2.1 x 0.9 in.
(100 x 53 x 23 mm)
5.4 x 4.1 x 3.3 in.
(137 x 104 x 84 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 14.2
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch APS-C
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.54 microns 5.16 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a 1.5x
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:   66
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):   21.9
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):   11.8
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):   807
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)
4592 x 3056 (14.0 MP, 3:2),
4592 x 2576 (11.8 MP, 16:9),
3344 x 2224 (7.4 MP, 3:2),
3344 x 1872 (6.3 MP, Other),
2288 x 1520 (3.5 MP, Other),
2288 x 1280 (2.9 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2) JPEG, RAW
Continuous-mode frames/second: 0.8 6.7
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 No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a Sony Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 24 - 120mm 27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual): 4.3 - 21.5mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 5.00x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/2.8 (W) - f/5.9 (T) f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (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 55.0mm
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 (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF; Wide, Spot, Local modes
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: No Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type:   SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):   0.53x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):   0.80x
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 Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 14.0x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   12800
Minimum ISO (native):   200
ISO Settings: Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200* (*special scene mode) Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/3000 - 15 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: No Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot (center), Face Detect AE 40-segment Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone evaluative metering in Live View)
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 Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Auto Red-eye Correction, Flash On, Flash Off; FE lock, Slow Synchro Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 1.6 - 11 ft./50cm - 3.5m (W), 2.9 - 4.9ft./90cm - 1.5m (T) Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync:   1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No Yes
Uncompressed Format:   RAW
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 Wireless or Wired
Connections (extended):   DC input, mini-HDMI, Wired Remote
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 2.29 0.41
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):   0.41
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):   19
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 0.8 6.7
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited 15
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):   0.178 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):   0.22 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.085 seconds 0.074 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):   Quick AF Live View shutter lag: 0.188s
Startup Time: 1.7 seconds 0.5 seconds
Play -> Record Time:   0.4 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 8.0 seconds 3.5 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 240 shots  
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   950 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-6L Proprietary NP-FM500H
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-6L Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H
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 Software/USB Driver CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+)
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. Exmore CMOS Sensor, Variable-angle LCD, SteadyShot In-body Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Live View, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer (Auto, Level 1-5), HDMI Output, 7 fps (AF/AE Locked).