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Nikon AW110 vs Sony S980

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
40
Overall
40
Nikon Coolpix AW110 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Nikon AW110 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Nikon AW110
(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
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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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon AW110 over the Sony S980

 AW110 S980 
RevealedJuly 2013February 2009Newer by 54 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution614k230kCrisper 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon AW110 vs Sony S980 size comparison

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

Nikon AW110 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon AW110 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon AW110 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon AW110 Portrait photography factors
Sony S980 Portrait photography factors
41
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
supports face detect focusing
no manual control
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
27
has manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon AW110 as a Street photography camera
Sony S980 as a Street photography camera
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
47
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon AW110
Sports photography with Sony S980
48
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
supports tracking focus
environment proofing
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
17
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon AW110 Travel photography advice
Sony S980 Travel photography advice
67
environment proofing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.9)
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon AW110 Landscape photography info
Sony S980 Landscape photography info
50
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.9)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
27
has manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon AW110 as a Vlogging camera
Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
33
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f3.9)
display is not selfie friendly
no mic jack
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic support
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Nikon AW110 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon AW110 and Sony S980
 Nikon Coolpix AW110Sony 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