Nikon L26 vs Sony S980
93 Imaging
39 Features
24 Overall
33


94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Nikon L26 vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-130mm (F3.2-6.5) lens
- 164g - 96 x 60 x 29mm
- Introduced February 2012
(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 L26 vs Sony S980 Overview
Lets look more in depth at the Nikon L26 versus Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Nikon and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the L26 (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

The L26 was announced 2 years later than the S980 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before getting straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise view of how the L26 scores vs the S980 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon L26 vs Sony S980 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix L26 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The whole galleries are provided at Nikon L26 Gallery & Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L26 over the Sony S980
L26 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2012 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 36 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Nikon L26
S980 | L26 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focus |
Common features in the Nikon L26 and Sony S980
L26 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch screen |
Nikon L26 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon L26 features outer measurements of 96mm x 60mm x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs) and the Sony S980 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Look at the Nikon L26 versus Sony S980 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the L26 against the S980.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the L26 and S980 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Nikon L26 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
Often, its tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizing just by seeing specifications. The graphic below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the L26 and S980.
Plainly, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Nikon L26 to provide more detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The fresher L26 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon L26 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L26 vs Sony S980 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L26 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon Coolpix L26 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2012-02-01 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
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 | 16MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 26-130mm (5.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.2-6.5 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focus range | 10cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen tech | TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 2 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | - | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | - | 3.50 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 164 grams (0.36 lbs) | 167 grams (0.37 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 96 x 60 x 29mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 life | 200 images | - |
Style of battery | AA | - |
Battery model | 2 x AA | - |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at launch | $70 | $300 |