Nikon AW110 vs Sony S980
92 Imaging
40 Features
40 Overall
40


94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Nikon AW110 vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-140mm (F3.9-4.8) lens
- 193g - 110 x 65 x 25mm
- Introduced July 2013
- Older Model is Nikon AW100
- Replacement is Nikon AW120
(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

Nikon AW110 vs Sony S980 Overview
Its time to look a bit more closely at the Nikon AW110 versus Sony S980, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Nikon and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the image resolutions of the AW110 (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The AW110 was unveiled 4 years after the S980 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before we go into a full comparison, here is a short introduction of how the AW110 matches up vs the S980 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon AW110 vs Sony S980 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix AW110 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The full galleries are provided at Nikon AW110 Gallery & Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon AW110 over the Sony S980
AW110 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | July 2013 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 54 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 614k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+384k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Nikon AW110
S980 | AW110 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon AW110 and Sony S980
AW110 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch screen |
Nikon AW110 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon AW110 features outer measurements of 110mm x 65mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") along with a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs) and the Sony S980 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Look at the Nikon AW110 versus Sony S980 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the AW110 versus the S980.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the AW110 and S980 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Nikon AW110 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it can be tough to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions merely by checking technical specs. The image here will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the AW110 and S980.
As you have seen, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can count on the Nikon AW110 to give you more detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The newer AW110 provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon AW110 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW110 vs Sony S980 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix AW110 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix AW110 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
Type | Waterproof | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2013-07-05 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 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 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 125 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.9-4.8 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 10cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of display | 614 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | OLED monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4 seconds | 2 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1500 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 8.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.20 m | 3.50 m |
Flash modes | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 193 grams (0.43 pounds) | 167 grams (0.37 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 65 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.0") | 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 | 250 photos | - |
Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | EN-EL12 | - |
Self timer | - | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD / SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail cost | $250 | $300 |