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Nikon S33 vs Sony S980

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
31
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix S33 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Nikon S33 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Nikon S33
(Full Review)
  • 13MP - 1/3.1" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 30-90mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 221g - 110 x 66 x 27mm
  • Introduced February 2015
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
  • Revealed February 2009
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Nikon S33 vs Sony S980 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Nikon S33 and Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the S33 (13MP) and the S980 (12MP) is pretty well matched but the S33 (1/3.1") and S980 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizing.

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The S33 was manufactured 6 years later than the S980 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the S33 grades vs the S980 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon S33 over the Sony S980

 S33 S980 
RevealedFebruary 2015February 2009More recent by 73 months

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Nikon S33

 S980 S33 
Manual focus More precise focusing

Common features in the Nikon S33 and Sony S980

 S33 S980 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Nikon S33 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon S33 provides external dimensions of 110mm x 66mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 221 grams (0.49 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 S33 and Sony S980 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the S33 versus the S980.

Nikon S33 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S33 and S980 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Nikon S33 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S33 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to envision the contrast between sensor measurements purely by reading through a spec sheet. The visual below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the S33 and S980.

Clearly, both of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The S33 due to its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF harder and the Nikon S33 will give you more detail due to its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures more aggressively. The more modern S33 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon S33 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Nikon S33 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S33 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S33
Portrait photography with Sony S980
33
decent megapixels (13MP)
supports face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/3.1")
does not have RAW support
27
focusing manually
no manual mode
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S33 Street photography details
Sony S980 Street photography details
58
image stabilization (Digital)
weather sealing
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/3.1")
does not have RAW support
more heavy than competition (221 grams)
47
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S33 as a Sports photography camera
Sony S980 as a Sports photography camera
43
image stabilization (Digital)
decent megapixels (13 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
weather sealing
slow continuous shooting (4.7 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/3.1")
does not have phase detect autofocus
17
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S33 as a Travel photography camera
Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
58
weather sealing
decent megapixels (13 megapixels)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (221 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (30mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
51
built-in flash
missing Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S33 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S980 as a Landscape photography camera
36
image stabilization (Digital)
decent megapixels (13 megapixels)
weather sealing
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/3.1")
does not have RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
27
focusing manually
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S33 Vlogging information
Sony S980 Vlogging information
29
image stabilization (Digital)
supports face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone port
more heavy than competition (221g)
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone port
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Nikon S33 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S33 and Sony S980
 Nikon Coolpix S33Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Coolpix S33 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2015-02-10 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/3.1" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 4.7 x 3.5mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 16.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 13MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4160 x 3120 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 30-90mm (3.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 7.7 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 4.7 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.10 m (at Auto ISO) 3.50 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p), 320 x 240 (30p, 25p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 221 grams (0.49 pounds) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 66 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1") 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 220 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL19 -
Self timer Yes (10 sec, smile timer) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $150 $300