Olympus SP-610UZ vs Sony S980
79 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34


94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Olympus SP-610UZ vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-616mm (F3.3-5.7) lens
- 405g - 107 x 73 x 73mm
- Revealed January 2011
- Superseded the Olympus SP-600 UZ
- Updated by Olympus SP-620 UZ
(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

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Sony S980 Overview
In this article, we will be analyzing the Olympus SP-610UZ and Sony S980, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SP-610UZ (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is pretty close and they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SP-610UZ was revealed 23 months after the S980 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick summation of how the SP-610UZ scores vs the S980 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Sony S980 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SP-610UZ & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus SP-610UZ Gallery & Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SP-610UZ over the Sony S980
SP-610UZ | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 23 months |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Olympus SP-610UZ
S980 | SP-610UZ | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focus |
Common features in the Olympus SP-610UZ and Sony S980
SP-610UZ | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Exact same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch friendly screen |
Olympus SP-610UZ vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry around your camera, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Olympus SP-610UZ comes with physical measurements of 107mm x 73mm x 73mm (4.2" x 2.9" x 2.9") and a weight of 405 grams (0.89 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).
Take a look at the Olympus SP-610UZ and Sony S980 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the SP-610UZ and the S980.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SP-610UZ and S980 is 79 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is very difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizes only by looking through specs. The pic underneath will provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-610UZ and S980.
As you can plainly see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Olympus SP-610UZ to provide you with greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots far more aggressively. The fresher SP-610UZ will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Sony S980 Specifications
Olympus SP-610UZ | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus SP-610UZ | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2011-01-06 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | TruePic III | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-616mm (22.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.3-5.7 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4s | 2s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.30 m | 3.50 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | 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 | 405 grams (0.89 pounds) | 167 grams (0.37 pounds) |
Dimensions | 107 x 73 x 73mm (4.2" x 2.9" x 2.9") | 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 | 340 photographs | - |
Style of battery | AA | - |
Battery ID | 4 x AA | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch pricing | $299 | $300 |