Canon PowerShot SD980 IS unboxing and impressions

Canon held off about as long as it could, but it finally caved to the pressures of adding a pressure-sensitive screen to one of its Digital ELPHs. The SD980 IS goes down as the first-ever touchscreen PowerShot, offering a better-than-average set of specifications, a few color options, an attractive size and a 720p movie mode that helps to set it apart from some of its VGA-quality contemporaries. We took the cam for a quick spin just to see how Canon's adaptation of the touchscreen felt in real-world use, and we've posted up our impressions -- along with a few sample galleries and a raw 720p video clip -- just beyond the break.

Canon PowerShot SD980 IS unboxing

The SD980 IS is a cute, stylish choice for a pocket camera. The 5x optical zoom is superior to most on cameras this size, and the 720p movie mode is also a fantastic addition. There's also a 12.1 megapixel sensor, an ultra-wide 24mm lens, four color options (silver, purple, gold and blue), optical image stabilization, an HDMI output, SDHC card slot and a 3-inch touchscreen on the rear. At 3.93- x 2.1- x .9-inches in size, this one's definitely not the slimmest of the bunch, and at 4.59 ounces, it's definitely not the lightest. Sure, it's satisfactorily small for those with decently sized pockets, but it could stand to trim down in our eyes.

One of the more curious inclusions here is the assortment of buttons to the right of the expansive touchscreen. It feels as if Canon wanted to have a touchscreen ELPH, but it was deathly scared of shocking its core user group that had grown accustomed to the orthodox rear control scheme. To that end, what you're left with is a hybrid controlling system that enables you to access a subset of tweaks via touch and the full gamut via traditional buttons. Not that we didn't appreciate it -- to be honest, we still preferred the buttons to the screen when it came time to change the options, but we would've much preferred a pure-touch camera that was half as thick to what we actually have in the SD980 IS.

For example, users can line up a shot and use their finger to touch the focus point, but you'll still have to move your hand up to the shutter button if you want to capture the moment. A simple double-tap feature to focus and take the picture would've been a fabulous inclusion, but alas, we're left with a half-hearted attempt to make the touch panel useful when composing a shot as such a feature is only available when the camera is held vertically. Indeed, most everything about this device is remarkably familiar for owners of previous Digital ELPHs; startup is quick, focusing is decently fast, flipping from still to movie mode requires just the flip of a top toggle and the entire menu system / user interface is simply a polished version of the same software that has been on these guys since the days of the SD200.

Canon PowerShot SD980 IS sample shots

To be fair, the resistive touchscreen is surprisingly responsive. The panel itself is firm, and we were able to activate even the smallest icons while rocking a set of gloves. As we alluded to earlier, the issue here isn't the quality of the panel (which is excellent) -- it's the limited amount of tweaking you can do via touch, and moreover, the inability to actually control the camera's shutter with a tap of the finger. The phrase "defeating the purpose" just keeps coming to mind.

Canon PowerShot SD980 IS ISO comparisons

Aesthetics aside, the actual image quality of the SD980 IS is decent, but it's not a giant leap forward from the prior generation of DIGIC III cameras. Colors were somewhat muted in low light, the diminutive flash introduced red eye in after-dark mugshots and sharpness seemed to suffer a bit in low light / indoor situations. We'll confess that we're being more picky than usual here, but for $329, we simply expected something that was at least noticeably superior to our tried-and-true SD850 IS. The included 720p movie mode holds it own, however, pumping out delightful footage given the size of the camera. As you can see in the sample clip below (the full, unedited clip is available to download here if you've got an extra 250MB to burn on your monthly Comcast limit), the quality is plenty satisfactory for those spontaneous moments where capturing the event is more important than its production readiness. Will it replace your 5D Mark II for serious shoots? Nah, but it's tough to complain with 720p in your pocket -- and this thing sure handles low-light shooting better than those pocket camcorders do.



All in all, we'd say the SD980 IS is a cautious (if not overly so) attempt at entering the over-hyped world of touchscreen cameras. Canon severely limited what you could do via touchscreen, and simply providing a selectable option to snap pictures and start / stop movies via the rear panel would've made the whole thing a lot more interesting. As it stands, you're stuck paying for a touchscreen that you'll probably never use, and you're getting no size improvements to speak of because of it. Honestly, we'd probably recommend one of Canon's other Digital ELPH offerings over this one; we appreciate the image quality and definitely dig the 720p movie mode, but the touch panel just isn't useful enough to warrant the selection of this model over another. Don't be afraid to try something really wild with the next iteration, okay Canon?

[StPaddy81 Posted Oct 12th 2009 2:47PM]

I actually purchased this camera yesterday and returned it almost immediately due to the noise in the HD Movie mode. I ordered the SD970is due to examples posted on vimeo and youtube. They look great in comparison. I hope I'm not disappointed when it arrives.

[bluespirit Posted Oct 12th 2009 2:50PM]

was it just me, or did that video feel like it was taken while running through that train station?

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 12th 2009 2:51PM]

Dear Canon,

Your consumer point-and-shoot are ugly as sin. Fix it.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 12th 2009 3:01PM]

I've always thought they have some of the best looking ones. I like this one a lot. Looks small and rounded for easily sliding in and out of pockets.

I don't like touchscreens on a camera though. And I really really do not want smudge marks on my viewing area for something that is totally for visuals.

[blland Posted Oct 12th 2009 3:02PM]

So is the G line. they can fix that along with noise levels beyond ISO 400.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 12th 2009 3:04PM]

What know viewfinder, have you ever tried to see what your looking for on an LCD screen... sorry that's not for me.

[Shovel Man Posted Oct 12th 2009 3:04PM]

holy CCD noise batman!!!

Lookat those streaks!

also

lol @ chick in mask
and lol @ chick in bright pink outfit towards the end

[Indyaner Posted Oct 12th 2009 3:31PM]

lol @ you with your chick-complex

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 12th 2009 9:56PM]

"LOL" all you want about the mask-wearing. These mask-wearers are actually UN-selfish people doing what they can to NOT spread whatever sickness it is that they have. I live in Taiwan and see people everyday wearing these masks. I don't myself, but applaud all these people that do. (I just stay home when sick ;) )

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 14th 2009 11:20AM]

Can you use the zoom while taking video? if yes does the sound of the lens zooming get recorded? these were issues with prior Powershots.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 12th 2009 3:12PM]

Not interesting until CHDK is ported to it.

[vdimov Posted Oct 12th 2009 3:15PM]

I have had this camera for over a month now. To be honest I like it a lot (not saying it just because I paid premium for it).

Photos are good (not superior) but for point and shoot is bit over the standard.

Video is pretty good for the size and has a 10 min limit which is just perfect for my day to day stuff.

Display is sensitive (more desired) and more useful than presented in this post- yet not a full blow touch capabilities I would like, but if you read the manual you find quite many shortcuts that I enjoy every time

In the end it is point and shoot and more targeted for the non technical/professional group that will want to control the shutter speed and exposure.

[Sarig Posted Oct 12th 2009 3:21PM]

akam.no called the photo quality below average, and after a statement like that, who cares about all the other specs ;)

[Plexus Posted Oct 12th 2009 3:34PM]

I just got a red GH1 which turned out to be even more fab than I imagined, and I will never need another camera nor a videocam for a long , long time to come.
As a matter of fact I am now convinced that since the gh1 has hit the market all other consumer cameras/videocam have no longer a reason to exist.

[bdav Posted Oct 12th 2009 4:11PM]

You must let me know how you fit it in your back pocket.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 12th 2009 4:00PM]

No touch focus?? Come on!!

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 12th 2009 4:10PM]

multi-touch laggards be damned. get with the times already!!!

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 12th 2009 4:30PM]

Is it just me? or someone else also felt this was phone/camera.

[BacaraMac Posted Oct 12th 2009 4:56PM]

Hopefully this note helps the few who haven't purchased this camera yet!! Buy it at Costco so you can return it and not be charged a restocking fee. I am taking mine back today. The auto scene destroys your pictures with the quality, noise, saturation, whatever you call it when it detects people in the picture (i.e. face detection). Talked to Canon customer service and they have all cameras with them at their desk to verify your complaints.

The rep was surprised when he was snapping pictures at his office. I would imagine this could all be fixed via software/firmware update in the future, but for now it is going back.

As for the touch to snap picture, it is an option when you hold camera vertical, but again guess this could be fixed via firmware to allow when holding camera normal.

I am not one to custom program settings to get a good picture.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 12th 2009 5:38PM]

Does anyone have the exact measurements (length and width) of the LCD screen? I know it is 3", but 3" widescreen is different than 3" 4x3....I love the screen that i have on my current camera (Canon SD870) and don't understand why you'd want a widescreen LCD on a camera when you mostly take photos with it (and normally are taken in 4:3 mode.)

[Oflife Posted Oct 12th 2009 7:36PM]

I used the Canon SD980 last week, and today, got to try out the Samsung ST550 - the one with the LCD on the front for self portraits and child shots, not to mention, a mind blowingly awesome ultra high resolution guesture controlled touch screen. The Canon is a let down, and this Engadget review sums up my feelings. As a GUI designer, I have always felt Canon's weakest link is their comprehension of human factors. Compare to any Pentax Optio or Pentax DSLR, both of which feature outstanding usability and handling.

Today when playing with the Samsung, I was blown away by the excellent speed and usability of the touch screen - and the pracitcal use of the front mini LCD. To date, Samsung have been so so with their digicams, but go try the ST550, in particular browsing through photos on the huge touch screen - it is even better than the iPhone / iPod Touch. In a way, I wish Samsung would license iPhone OS and turn the thing into a phone camera so I could blog the pictures to the web from anywhere!

Canon? Try again!

More on the Samsung
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-ST550-Digital-Camera-Optical/dp/B002JM1GUA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1255389770&sr=8-1

[DogStar Posted Oct 13th 2009 1:17AM]

I know you were walking, Darren, but man, that video is herky-jerky. That's the best Canon could do? I couldn't watch the whole thing... I was getting nauseated after 30 seconds of it.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 13th 2009 5:49AM]

Thank god there is no double-tap to take the pictures or something like that. It would make 90% of the shots fail... i think you forgot that camera shake or movement is a killer of crystal-clear shots. Actually i think touchscreens is not a developement in the camera industry but excactly the opposite.

I just ordered myself a G11 yesterday, can't wait for it to arrive...

[tiffanywestatl Posted Nov 28th 2009 9:03PM]

For those who would like a more powerful and spectacular Canon camera I recommend the Canon SX20IS Digital Cam. at 12.2 MP. Great stuff. Check it out: http://bit.ly/8EGNun.