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Fujifilm X20 vs Sony S980

Portability
83
Imaging
38
Features
59
Overall
46
Fujifilm X20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Fujifilm X20 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Fujifilm X20
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 2/3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F2.0-2.8) lens
  • 353g - 117 x 70 x 57mm
  • Launched April 2013
  • Previous Model is Fujifilm X10
  • Newer Model is Fujifilm X30
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
  • Introduced February 2009
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Fujifilm X20 vs Sony S980 Overview

Here is a in depth overview of the Fujifilm X20 versus Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers FujiFilm and Sony. The sensor resolution of the Fujifilm X20 (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is pretty well matched but the Fujifilm X20 (2/3") and S980 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor sizing.

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The Fujifilm X20 was revealed 4 years later than the S980 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a full comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the Fujifilm X20 matches up versus the S980 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Fujifilm X20 over the Sony S980

 Fujifilm X20 S980 
IntroducedApril 2013February 2009Fresher by 52 months
Screen sizing2.8"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.1")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Fujifilm X20

 S980 Fujifilm X20 

Common features in the Fujifilm X20 and Sony S980

 Fujifilm X20 S980 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Fujifilm X20 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Fujifilm X20 offers exterior dimensions of 117mm x 70mm x 57mm (4.6" x 2.8" x 2.2") along with a weight of 353 grams (0.78 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check the Fujifilm X20 versus Sony S980 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is the front view scale comparison of the Fujifilm X20 against the S980.

Fujifilm X20 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the Fujifilm X20 and S980 is 83 and 94 respectively.

Fujifilm X20 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Fujifilm X20 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to envision the gap between sensor sizing just by checking a spec sheet. The photograph here will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the Fujifilm X20 and S980.

As you can see, each of the cameras offer the same exact resolution albeit not the same sensor sizing. The Fujifilm X20 features the bigger sensor which should make achieving shallower DOF easier. The more recent Fujifilm X20 will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Fujifilm X20 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Fujifilm X20 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Fujifilm X20 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Fujifilm X20 Portrait photography features
Sony S980 Portrait photography features
46
you can focus manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/1,000 seconds)
exports RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (2/3")
27
you can focus manually
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Fujifilm X20
Street photography with Sony S980
58
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
very small sensor (2/3")
more heavy than competition (353g)
47
no moving screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Fujifilm X20
Sports photography with Sony S980
52
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking focus
great battery power (270 per charge)
comes with phase detect auto focus
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (2/3")
17
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Fujifilm X20 Travel photography advice
Sony S980 Travel photography advice
60
great battery power (270 shots)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (353 grams)
low megapixels (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
51
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Fujifilm X20 Landscape photography features
Sony S980 Landscape photography features
55
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (2.8")
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
great battery power (270 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (2/3")
missing Timelapse mode
27
you can focus manually
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Fujifilm X20 as a Vlogging camera
Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone support
more heavy than competition (353g)
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic jack
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Fujifilm X20 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Fujifilm X20 and Sony S980
 Fujifilm X20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Name FujiFilm Sony
Model Fujifilm X20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-04-29 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by EXR Processor II -
Sensor type CMOS X-TRANS II CCD
Sensor size 2/3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 8.8 x 6.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 58.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.0-2.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 4.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.8 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT color LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (tunnel) None
Viewfinder coverage 85% -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 12.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/1000s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 353 gr (0.78 pounds) 167 gr (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 117 x 70 x 57mm (4.6" x 2.8" x 2.2") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 270 shots -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $500 $300