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Nikon L26 vs Sony S980

Portability
93
Imaging
39
Features
24
Overall
33
Nikon Coolpix L26 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Nikon L26 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Nikon L26
(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
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 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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L26 over the Sony S980

 L26 S980 
RevealedFebruary 2012February 2009Fresher by 36 months
Screen size3"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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon L26 vs Sony S980 size comparison

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

Nikon L26 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon L26 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L26 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L26 Portrait photography features
Sony S980 Portrait photography features
34
MP count good (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
27
has manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L26 as a Street photography camera
Sony S980 as a Street photography camera
47
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
47
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L26 Sports photography details
Sony S980 Sports photography details
27
MP count good (16MP)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery power (200 shots)
has no phase detect AF
17
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon L26
Travel photography with Sony S980
62
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low battery power (200 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
51
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon L26
Landscape photography with Sony S980
37
relatively wide (26mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
low battery power (200 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
27
has manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L26 as a Vlogging camera
Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
28
relatively wide (26mm)
supports face detect focusing
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic port
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone port
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Nikon L26 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L26 and Sony S980
 Nikon Coolpix L26Sony 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