Nikon S9700 vs Sony S980
90 Imaging
40 Features
48 Overall
43


94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Nikon S9700 vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-750mm (F3.7-6.4) lens
- 232g - 110 x 64 x 35mm
- Launched February 2014
- Superseded the Nikon S9500
- Updated by Nikon S9900
(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
- Introduced February 2009

Nikon S9700 vs Sony S980 Overview
The following is a extended assessment of the Nikon S9700 versus Sony S980, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Nikon and Sony. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the S9700 (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but they come with the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The S9700 was introduced 5 years after the S980 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief summation of how the S9700 matches up against the S980 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon S9700 vs Sony S980 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon Coolpix S9700 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The whole galleries are available at Nikon S9700 Gallery and Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon S9700 over the Sony S980
S9700 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2014 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 61 months |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Nikon S9700
S980 | S9700 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focus |
Common features in the Nikon S9700 and Sony S980
S9700 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Absent Touch screen |
Nikon S9700 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to travel with your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon S9700 enjoys external measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") and a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Look at the Nikon S9700 versus Sony S980 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the S9700 against the S980.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the S9700 and S980 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Nikon S9700 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is hard to envision the gap in sensor dimensions just by viewing technical specs. The pic here may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the S9700 and S980.
As you can tell, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Nikon S9700 to render extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The fresher S9700 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon S9700 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9700 vs Sony S980 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix S9700 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix S9700 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2014-02-07 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | BSI-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 | 16 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 125 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 99 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-750mm (30.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.7-6.4 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 10cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Display resolution | 921 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display tech | TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8s | 2s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter rate | 7.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.00 m | 3.50 m |
Flash options | TTL auto flash with monitor preflashes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30/25p, 60/50i) 1280 x 720 (60/50/30/25/15/12.5p) 960 x 540 (30/25p) 640 x 480 (120/30/25p) 320 x 240 (240p) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 232g (0.51 lb) | 167g (0.37 lb) |
Dimensions | 110 x 64 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") | 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | 300 shots | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | EN-EL12 | - |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail cost | $350 | $300 |