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Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony S980

Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
27
Overall
31
Olympus SP-600 UZ front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Olympus SP-600 UZ
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-420mm (F3.5-5.4) lens
  • 455g - 110 x 90 x 91mm
  • Released February 2010
  • Older Model is Olympus SP-590 UZ
  • Replacement is Olympus SP-610UZ
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
  • Released February 2009
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Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony S980 Overview

Below is a comprehensive analysis of the Olympus SP-600 UZ and Sony S980, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the SP-600 UZ (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is pretty close and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SP-600 UZ was released 12 months later than the S980 so they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a full comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SP-600 UZ scores vs the S980 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-600 UZ over the Sony S980

 SP-600 UZ S980 
ReleasedFebruary 2010February 2009More recent by 12 months

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Olympus SP-600 UZ

 S980 SP-600 UZ 

Common features in the Olympus SP-600 UZ and Sony S980

 SP-600 UZ S980 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus SP-600 UZ enjoys exterior dimensions of 110mm x 90mm x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") with a weight of 455 grams (1.00 lbs) and the Sony S980 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SP-600 UZ and Sony S980 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the SP-600 UZ and the S980.

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony S980 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SP-600 UZ and S980 is 69 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to picture the contrast in sensor measurements merely by viewing technical specs. The photograph underneath should give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SP-600 UZ and S980.

As you can tell, both cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same resolution so you can expect comparable quality of photographs though you would want to consider the age of the cameras into account. The fresher SP-600 UZ provides an edge in sensor tech.

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ Portrait photography information
Sony S980 Portrait photography information
27
focusing manually
no manual mode
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
27
focusing manually
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ Street photography information
Sony S980 Street photography information
36
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
47
no moving screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SP-600 UZ
Sports photography with Sony S980
31
excellent zoom range (28-420mm 15.0 x zoom)
has tracking focus
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
17
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ Travel photography features
Sony S980 Travel photography features
51
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
great reach (420mm)
no Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
51
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S980 as a Landscape photography camera
29
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse function
27
focusing manually
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-600 UZ Vlogging highlights
Sony S980 Vlogging highlights
20
relatively wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone socket
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone support
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Olympus SP-600 UZ vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-600 UZ and Sony S980
 Olympus SP-600 UZSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SP-600 UZ Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2010-02-02 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3968 x 2976 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 143 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-420mm (15.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.4 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 1/2s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.10 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 455g (1.00 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 90 x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") 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
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $189 $300