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Nikon S6300 vs Sony S980

Portability
94
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Nikon Coolpix S6300 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Nikon S6300 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Nikon S6300
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 160g - 94 x 58 x 26mm
  • Revealed 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 S6300 vs Sony S980 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Nikon S6300 versus Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Sony. There is a significant difference among the sensor resolutions of the S6300 (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S6300 was introduced 2 years later than the S980 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the S6300 scores against the S980 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S6300 over the Sony S980

 S6300 S980 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012February 2009More recent by 36 months

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Nikon S6300

 S980 S6300 
Manual focus More accurate focus

Common features in the Nikon S6300 and Sony S980

 S6300 S980 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Nikon S6300 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon S6300 enjoys physical measurements of 94mm x 58mm x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") having a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon S6300 versus Sony S980 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the S6300 vs the S980.

Nikon S6300 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the S6300 and S980 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Nikon S6300 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S6300 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to visualize the gap in sensor measurements purely by viewing specifications. The visual below will give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the S6300 and S980.

Plainly, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should expect the Nikon S6300 to provide you with extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The newer S6300 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon S6300 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Nikon S6300 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S6300 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S6300 Portrait photography advice
Sony S980 Portrait photography advice
34
good resolution (16 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
27
you can focus manually
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon S6300 as a Street photography camera
Sony S980 as a Street photography camera
57
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
47
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S6300 Sports photography advice
Sony S980 Sports photography advice
44
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
17
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S6300 Travel photography features
Sony S980 Travel photography features
68
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
51
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S6300 Landscape photography highlights
Sony S980 Landscape photography highlights
38
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
27
you can focus manually
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S6300 Vlogging features
Sony S980 Vlogging features
34
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic socket
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic socket
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Nikon S6300 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S6300 and Sony S980
 Nikon Coolpix S6300Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Nikon Sony
Model type Nikon Coolpix S6300 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-02-01 2009-02-17
Physical type 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 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 125 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.2-5.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 10cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 2 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
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 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160 gr (0.35 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 94 x 58 x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 230 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL12 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch price $200 $300