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Nikon P300 vs Sony S980

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38
Nikon Coolpix P300 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Nikon P300 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Nikon P300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 189g - 103 x 58 x 32mm
  • Introduced May 2011
  • Later Model is Nikon P310
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
  • Announced February 2009
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Nikon P300 vs Sony S980 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Nikon P300 and Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the P300 (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is relatively well matched and they possess the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The P300 was manufactured 2 years later than the S980 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a full comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the P300 grades vs the S980 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon P300 over the Sony S980

 P300 S980 
AnnouncedMay 2011February 2009More recent by 28 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper screen (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Nikon P300

 S980 P300 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing

Common features in the Nikon P300 and Sony S980

 P300 S980 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Nikon P300 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon P300 has exterior measurements of 103mm x 58mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 189 grams (0.42 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon P300 and Sony S980 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have at that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the P300 and the S980.

Nikon P300 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the P300 and S980 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Nikon P300 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P300 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to visualise the gap between sensor measurements simply by checking a spec sheet. The photograph below will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the P300 and S980.

Clearly, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same MP therefore you can expect similar quality of files however you will want to consider the launch date of the products into consideration. The fresher P300 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon P300 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Nikon P300 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P300 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon P300 Portrait photography advice
Sony S980 Portrait photography advice
27
supports face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
27
has manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon P300 Street photography advice
Sony S980 Street photography advice
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
47
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon P300 Sports photography features
Sony S980 Sports photography features
37
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
17
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon P300 Travel photography information
Sony S980 Travel photography information
63
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low MP (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon P300 Landscape photography features
Sony S980 Landscape photography features
43
rather wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
27
has manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P300 Vlogging info
Sony S980 Vlogging info
36
rather wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic socket
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone socket
Photography Glossary

Nikon P300 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P300 and Sony S980
 Nikon Coolpix P300Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Coolpix P300 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-05-31 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed C2 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 160 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-100mm (4.2x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/1.8-4.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 922 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT-LCD with anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 2 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.50 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (15, 30fps), 1280 x 720p (15, 30, 60 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 189 grams (0.42 lbs) 167 grams (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 103 x 58 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 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 life 240 pictures -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes (10 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $500 $300