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Nikon S100 vs Sony S980

Portability
94
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Nikon Coolpix S100 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Nikon S100 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Nikon S100
(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
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 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").

Photography Glossary

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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S100 over the Sony S980

 S100 S980 
AnnouncedAugust 2011February 2009Newer by 31 months
Screen dimensions3.5"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.8")
Screen resolution820k230kClearer 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon S100 vs Sony S980 size comparison

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

Nikon S100 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon S100 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S100 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S100 Portrait photography features
Sony S980 Portrait photography features
40
focusing manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
supports face detect focusing
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
27
has manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S100 Street photography information
Sony S980 Street photography information
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
has focus via touch
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
47
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S100 as a Sports photography camera
Sony S980 as a Sports photography camera
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
max fps very slow (6.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery power (150 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
17
slow fps (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S100 Travel photography features
Sony S980 Travel photography features
65
has focus via touch
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low battery power (150 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
51
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon S100
Landscape photography with Sony S980
45
focusing manually
rather wide (28mm)
very good size screen (3.5 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
manual mode not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
low battery power (150 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
27
has manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon S100
Vlogging with Sony S980
35
rather wide (28mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic jack
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone socket
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Nikon S100 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S100 and Sony S980
 Nikon Coolpix S100Sony 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