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Nikon L120 vs Sony S980

Portability
75
Imaging
36
Features
38
Overall
36
Nikon Coolpix L120 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Nikon L120 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Nikon L120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 431g - 110 x 77 x 78mm
  • Announced February 2011
  • Superseded the Nikon L110
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
  • Released February 2009
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Nikon L120 vs Sony S980 Overview

Below is a in-depth comparison of the Nikon L120 vs Sony S980, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the L120 (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is relatively similar and they feature the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The L120 was released 2 years later than the S980 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a full comparison, below is a brief view of how the L120 matches up versus the S980 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Sony S980

 L120 S980 
ReleasedFebruary 2011February 2009More recent by 25 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Nikon L120

 S980 L120 
Manually focus More accurate focusing

Common features in the Nikon L120 and Sony S980

 L120 S980 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Nikon L120 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to lug around your camera, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L120 has got physical measurements of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") with a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs) and 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 L120 vs Sony S980 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at that moment. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the L120 compared to the S980.

Nikon L120 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the L120 and S980 is 75 and 94 respectively.

Nikon L120 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L120 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to envision the contrast between sensor measurements simply by going over technical specs. The visual below should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the L120 and S980.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Nikon L120 to offer extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots far more aggressively. The younger L120 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon L120 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Nikon L120 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L120 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L120 Portrait photography features
Sony S980 Portrait photography features
33
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
comes with face detect autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
27
has manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon L120 Street photography factors
Sony S980 Street photography factors
48
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
47
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L120 Sports photography advice
Sony S980 Sports photography advice
43
incredible zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
17
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L120 Travel photography highlights
Sony S980 Travel photography highlights
60
decent megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (525mm)
missing Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
low megapixels (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L120 Landscape photography factors
Sony S980 Landscape photography factors
40
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
27
has manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L120
Vlogging with Sony S980
27
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect autofocus
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic socket
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone support
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Nikon L120 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L120 and Sony S980
 Nikon Coolpix L120Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix L120 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-02-09 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed C2 -
Sensor type CCD 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 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-525mm (21.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 431g (0.95 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") 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 330 pictures -
Battery style AA -
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $300 $300