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Olympus SP-610UZ vs Sony S980

Portability
79
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Olympus SP-610UZ front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Olympus SP-610UZ
(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  • Superseded the Olympus SP-600 UZ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
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
Photography Glossary

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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-610UZ over the Sony S980

 SP-610UZ S980 
ReleasedJanuary 2011February 2009More modern by 23 months
Screen sizing3"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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Sony S980 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SP-610UZ
Portrait photography with Sony S980
28
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
27
has manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SP-610UZ
Street photography with Sony S980
50
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
47
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ Sports photography highlights
Sony S980 Sports photography highlights
39
incredible zoom range (28-616mm 22.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
17
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SP-610UZ
Travel photography with Sony S980
61
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
great zoom (616mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
51
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
low MP (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S980 as a Landscape photography camera
40
really wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
27
has manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SP-610UZ
Vlogging with Sony S980
26
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone support
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic socket
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Olympus SP-610UZ vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-610UZ and Sony S980
 Olympus SP-610UZSony 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