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Nikon S30 vs Sony S980

Portability
90
Imaging
33
Features
18
Overall
27
Nikon Coolpix S30 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Nikon S30 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Nikon S30
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 29-87mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 102 x 65 x 40mm
  • Announced 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
  • Announced February 2009
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Nikon S30 vs Sony S980 Overview

Lets look much closer at the Nikon S30 and Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the S30 (10MP) and the S980 (12MP) is pretty close but the S30 (1/3") and S980 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor size.

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The S30 was unveiled 2 years after the S980 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the S30 scores versus the S980 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S30 over the Sony S980

 S30 S980 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012February 2009Newer by 36 months

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Nikon S30

 S980 S30 
Manually focus Very accurate focus

Common features in the Nikon S30 and Sony S980

 S30 S980 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen size
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Nikon S30 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon S30 enjoys outer dimensions of 102mm x 65mm x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 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).

Compare the Nikon S30 and Sony S980 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the S30 compared to the S980.

Nikon S30 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the S30 and S980 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Nikon S30 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S30 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to envision the gap in sensor dimensions just by viewing specifications. The image below should provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S30 and S980.

Plainly, both of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The S30 using its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh harder and the Sony S980 will render extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures more aggressively. The fresher S30 is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Nikon S30 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Nikon S30 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S30 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S30
Portrait photography with Sony S980
25
provides face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/3")
doesn't have RAW files
27
has manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon S30 as a Street photography camera
Sony S980 as a Street photography camera
51
weather sealing
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/3")
doesn't have RAW files
heavier than competitors (214g)
47
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Nikon S30 as a Sports photography camera
Sony S980 as a Sports photography camera
29
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
weather sealing
slow fps (1.5 frames/s)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
17
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S30 as a Travel photography camera
Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
52
weather sealing
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors (214 grams)
megapixel count low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S30 Landscape photography highlights
Sony S980 Landscape photography highlights
26
weather sealing
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
27
has manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S30 Vlogging info
Sony S980 Vlogging info
23
provides face detection autofocus
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic socket
heavier than competitors (214g)
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic port
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Nikon S30 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S30 and Sony S980
 Nikon Coolpix S30Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Coolpix S30 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-02-01 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 4.8 x 3.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 17.3mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 29-87mm (3.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 5cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 7.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT-LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 1.5 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 format MPEG-4 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 214g (0.47 pounds) 167g (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 102 x 65 x 40mm (4.0" x 2.6" x 1.6") 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 240 images -
Type of battery AA -
Battery model 2 x AA -
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
Pricing at launch $119 $300