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Nikon P310 vs Sony S980

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
53
Overall
45
Nikon Coolpix P310 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Nikon P310 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Nikon P310
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 194g - 103 x 58 x 32mm
  • Released June 2012
  • Old Model is Nikon P300
  • Renewed by Nikon P330
Sony S980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Introduced February 2009
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Nikon P310 vs Sony S980 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Nikon P310 versus Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the P310 (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The P310 was revealed 3 years later than the S980 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick summation of how the P310 matches up against the S980 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon P310 over the Sony S980

 P310 S980 
IntroducedJune 2012February 2009More recent by 41 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Nikon P310

 S980 P310 

Common features in the Nikon P310 and Sony S980

 P310 S980 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Nikon P310 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon P310 offers outside dimensions of 103mm x 58mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 194 grams (0.43 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check the Nikon P310 versus Sony S980 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing at that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the P310 against the S980.

Nikon P310 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the P310 and S980 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Nikon P310 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P310 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to imagine the gap in sensor measurements only by researching specifications. The graphic here should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the P310 and S980.

To sum up, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size but different resolution. You can anticipate the Nikon P310 to render greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The younger P310 provides a benefit in sensor innovation.

Nikon P310 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Nikon P310 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P310 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon P310 Portrait photography information
Sony S980 Portrait photography information
44
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
27
you can focus manually
manual mode not available
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon P310 as a Street photography camera
Sony S980 as a Street photography camera
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
47
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon P310
Sports photography with Sony S980
48
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
includes tracking focus
max fps very slow (6.0 frames per second)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
17
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon P310 Travel photography factors
Sony S980 Travel photography factors
71
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
does not have Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
51
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon P310 Landscape photography info
Sony S980 Landscape photography info
55
manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Timelapse function
27
you can focus manually
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P310 Vlogging factors
Sony S980 Vlogging factors
36
fairly wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic port
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Nikon P310 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P310 and Sony S980
 Nikon Coolpix P310Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Coolpix P310 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-06-22 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 99 9
Lens
Lens mounting type 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 2cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in 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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120, 30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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 194 grams (0.43 lbs) 167 grams (0.37 lbs)
Physical 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 230 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $700 $300