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Casio EX-ZR300 vs Sony S980

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Casio Exilim EX-ZR300 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Casio EX-ZR300 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Casio EX-ZR300
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-300mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 205g - 105 x 59 x 29mm
  • Launched May 2012
Sony S980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Revealed February 2009
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Casio EX-ZR300 vs Sony S980 Overview

Below, we will be contrasting the Casio EX-ZR300 and Sony S980, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Casio and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the EX-ZR300 (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but they come with the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The EX-ZR300 was unveiled 3 years later than the S980 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a complete comparison, below is a concise summary of how the EX-ZR300 grades versus the S980 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Casio EX-ZR300 over the Sony S980

 EX-ZR300 S980 
RevealedMay 2012February 2009Fresher by 40 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Casio EX-ZR300

 S980 EX-ZR300 

Common features in the Casio EX-ZR300 and Sony S980

 EX-ZR300 S980 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Casio EX-ZR300 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Casio EX-ZR300 provides outer dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Casio EX-ZR300 and Sony S980 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the EX-ZR300 compared to the S980.

Casio EX-ZR300 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the EX-ZR300 and S980 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Casio EX-ZR300 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Casio EX-ZR300 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizing just by going over technical specs. The photograph below should provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the EX-ZR300 and S980.

As you can tell, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can expect the Casio EX-ZR300 to offer greater detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The more recent EX-ZR300 should have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Casio EX-ZR300 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Casio EX-ZR300 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Casio EX-ZR300 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Casio EX-ZR300 Portrait photography details
Sony S980 Portrait photography details
40
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
27
has manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Casio EX-ZR300 as a Street photography camera
Sony S980 as a Street photography camera
62
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (205 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
47
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Casio EX-ZR300 as a Sports photography camera
Sony S980 as a Sports photography camera
55
long zoom range (24-300mm 12.5 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (500 CIPA)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
17
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Casio EX-ZR300 Travel photography factors
Sony S980 Travel photography factors
71
better than average battery power (500 per charge)
lighter than competition in class (205g)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
lack of Timelapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
51
built-in flash
missing Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Casio EX-ZR300 Landscape photography factors
Sony S980 Landscape photography factors
52
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
better than average battery power (500 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
27
has manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Casio EX-ZR300 Vlogging details
Sony S980 Vlogging details
33
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (205 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of external microphone port
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone jack
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Casio EX-ZR300 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Casio EX-ZR300 and Sony S980
 Casio Exilim EX-ZR300Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Manufacturer Casio Sony
Model type Casio Exilim EX-ZR300 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-05-22 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Exilim Engine HS -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-300mm (12.5x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech Super Clear TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.70 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (15, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 512 x 384 (30, 240 fps), 224 x 160 (480 fps) 224 x 64 (1000 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 205 grams (0.45 pounds) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 29mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 500 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NP-130 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 seconds, Triple) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $329 $300