Nikon S100 vs Sony S980
94 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
39


94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Nikon S100 vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-140mm (F3.9-4.8) lens
- 175g - 99 x 65 x 18mm
- Introduced August 2011
(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

Nikon S100 vs Sony S980 Overview
The following is a extensive overview of the Nikon S100 vs Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Nikon and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the S100 (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The S100 was revealed 2 years after the S980 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a short highlight of how the S100 matches up against the S980 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon S100 vs Sony S980 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Coolpix S100 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The full galleries are viewable at Nikon S100 Gallery & Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S100 over the Sony S980
S100 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | August 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 31 months |
Screen dimensions | 3.5" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.8") |
Screen resolution | 820k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+590k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Nikon S100
S980 | S100 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon S100 and Sony S980
S100 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen |
Nikon S100 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to travel with your camera, you should consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon S100 has exterior measurements of 99mm x 65mm x 18mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.7") having a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Look at the Nikon S100 vs Sony S980 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the S100 versus the S980.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S100 and S980 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Nikon S100 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it can be difficult to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions merely by going over specifications. The image here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the S100 and S980.
To sum up, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Nikon S100 to deliver more detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The fresher S100 should have an edge in sensor tech.

Nikon S100 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S100 vs Sony S980 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S100 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Sony |
Model | Nikon Coolpix S100 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2011-08-24 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Expeed C2 | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 125 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.9-4.8 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focus distance | 1cm | 10cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3.5 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of display | 820 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display tech | Organic LED monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4s | 2s |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter rate | 6.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | - | 3.50 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, 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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 175 gr (0.39 lb) | 167 gr (0.37 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 99 x 65 x 18mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.7") | 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 | 150 pictures | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | EN-EL12 | - |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Pricing at release | $240 | $300 |