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Nikon A1000 vs Sony S980

Portability
86
Imaging
42
Features
64
Overall
50
Nikon Coolpix A1000 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Nikon A1000 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Nikon A1000
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-840mm (F3.4-6.9) lens
  • 330g - 114 x 72 x 41mm
  • Launched January 2019
  • Superseded the Nikon A900
Sony S980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • 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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Nikon A1000 vs Sony S980 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Nikon A1000 vs Sony S980, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Nikon and Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the sensor resolutions of the A1000 (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The A1000 was announced 10 years after the S980 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief overview of how the A1000 scores against the S980 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon A1000 over the Sony S980

 A1000 S980 
IntroducedJanuary 2019February 2009More modern by 121 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Nikon A1000

 S980 A1000 

Common features in the Nikon A1000 and Sony S980

 A1000 S980 
Manual focus More accurate focus

Nikon A1000 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon A1000 has got exterior dimensions of 114mm x 72mm x 41mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 330 grams (0.73 lbs) while the Sony S980 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Nikon A1000 vs Sony S980 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the A1000 and the S980.

Nikon A1000 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A1000 and S980 is 86 and 94 respectively.

Nikon A1000 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Nikon A1000 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizes only by seeing specs. The image below will offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A1000 and S980.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can expect to see the Nikon A1000 to show extra detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics far more aggressively. The more recent A1000 provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Nikon A1000 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Nikon A1000 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon A1000 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon A1000 Portrait photography advice
Sony S980 Portrait photography advice
51
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
has face detect focus
supports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
27
has manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon A1000 Street photography highlights
Sony S980 Street photography highlights
74
tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
has focus by touch
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
47
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon A1000
Sports photography with Sony S980
49
amazing zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
has tracking focus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (250 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
17
max fps low (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon A1000 Travel photography info
Sony S980 Travel photography info
72
has focus by touch
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
relatively wide (24mm)
great reach (840mm)
not so great battery pack (250 CIPA)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
51
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon A1000 Landscape photography factors
Sony S980 Landscape photography factors
55
has manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (250 shots)
27
has manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon A1000 Vlogging information
Sony S980 Vlogging information
72
relatively wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
no mic support
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone socket
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Nikon A1000 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon A1000 and Sony S980
 Nikon Coolpix A1000Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix A1000 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2019-01-18 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-840mm (35.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.4-6.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,166 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 98% -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.00 m (with Auto ISO) 3.50 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, AAC 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB EN-EL12 lithium-ion battery & USB charger USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS No None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 330 grams (0.73 lbs) 167 grams (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 114 x 72 x 41mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.6") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 250 photos -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (3 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Internal + SD/SDHC/SDXC card Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $477 $300