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Nikon L22 vs Sony S980

Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Nikon Coolpix L22 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Nikon L22 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Nikon L22
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 37-134mm (F3.1-6.7) lens
  • 183g - 98 x 61 x 28mm
  • Introduced February 2010
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
  • Launched February 2009
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Nikon L22 vs Sony S980 Overview

Here is a in depth overview of the Nikon L22 and Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. The image resolution of the L22 (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is relatively similar and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The L22 was brought out 12 months later than the S980 so they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a short summary of how the L22 scores versus the S980 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L22 over the Sony S980

 L22 S980 
LaunchedFebruary 2010February 2009Fresher by 12 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Nikon L22

 S980 L22 
Focus manually More accurate focusing

Common features in the Nikon L22 and Sony S980

 L22 S980 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Nikon L22 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon L22 provides outer dimensions of 98mm x 61mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 183 grams (0.40 lbs) and the Sony S980 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon L22 and Sony S980 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is a front view size comparison of the L22 versus the S980.

Nikon L22 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the L22 and S980 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Nikon L22 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L22 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizing simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the L22 and S980.

Clearly, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same megapixels so you can expect similar quality of images however you need to factor the launch date of the products into consideration. The newer L22 will have an advantage in sensor tech.

Nikon L22 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Nikon L22 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L22 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon L22
Portrait photography with Sony S980
21
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
27
you can focus manually
no manual control
no external flash support
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon L22
Street photography with Sony S980
46
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
47
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L22 Sports photography features
Sony S980 Sports photography features
17
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
17
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L22 Travel photography advice
Sony S980 Travel photography advice
50
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
51
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L22 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S980 as a Landscape photography camera
27
good sized screen (3")
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
27
you can focus manually
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L22
Vlogging with Sony S980
22
wide angle not good (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of external microphone port
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic support
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Nikon L22 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L22 and Sony S980
 Nikon Coolpix L22Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Coolpix L22 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-02-03 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 dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-134mm (3.6x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-6.7 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 5cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 183g (0.40 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 61 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at release $130 $300