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Nikon AW100 vs Sony S980

Portability
93
Imaging
39
Features
28
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix AW100 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Nikon AW100 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Nikon AW100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-4.8) lens
  • 178g - 110 x 65 x 23mm
  • Launched August 2011
  • Updated by Nikon AW110
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
  • Announced February 2009
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Nikon AW100 vs Sony S980 Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Nikon AW100 vs Sony S980, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the AW100 (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but they use the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The AW100 was brought out 2 years after the S980 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief summary of how the AW100 grades versus the S980 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW100 over the Sony S980

 AW100 S980 
AnnouncedAugust 2011February 2009Newer by 31 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Nikon AW100

 S980 AW100 
Manual focus More accurate focusing

Common features in the Nikon AW100 and Sony S980

 AW100 S980 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Nikon AW100 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera, you have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon AW100 provides physical dimensions of 110mm x 65mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") along with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) while the Sony S980 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon AW100 vs Sony S980 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select at that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the AW100 compared to the S980.

Nikon AW100 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the AW100 and S980 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Nikon AW100 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to envision the difference in sensor dimensions simply by researching specs. The image here will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the AW100 and S980.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Nikon AW100 to result in greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more modern AW100 will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Nikon AW100 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW100 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW100 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW100 Portrait photography factors
Sony S980 Portrait photography factors
30
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
27
you can focus manually
no manual exposure
no external flash support
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon AW100
Street photography with Sony S980
55
weather sealing
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
47
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon AW100 Sports photography features
Sony S980 Sports photography features
33
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
weather sealing
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
17
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW100 as a Travel photography camera
Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
67
weather sealing
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.9)
51
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW100 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S980 as a Landscape photography camera
41
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
weather sealing
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.9)
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
27
you can focus manually
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW100 as a Vlogging camera
Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
29
reasonably wide (28mm)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.9)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
does not have external microphone port
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone jack
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Nikon AW100 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW100 and Sony S980
 Nikon Coolpix AW100Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Make Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix AW100 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-08-24 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type 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 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.9-4.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance - 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 3.50 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720 (60 fps),640 x 480 (120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 178g (0.39 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 65 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 0.9") 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 ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD / SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $299 $300