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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony S980

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-15
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Revealed June 2013
Sony S980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Announced February 2009
Photography Glossary

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony S980 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony S980, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Sony. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the SZ-15 (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ-15 was unveiled 4 years later than the S980 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a short view of how the SZ-15 grades against the S980 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Sony S980

 SZ-15 S980 
AnnouncedJune 2013February 2009More recent by 53 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Olympus SZ-15

 S980 SZ-15 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Sony S980

 SZ-15 S980 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-15 offers exterior measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") having a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony S980 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the SZ-15 vs the S980.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-15 and S980 is 88 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to picture the gap between sensor measurements merely by reviewing technical specs. The visual underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-15 and S980.

As you can tell, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should anticipate the Olympus SZ-15 to deliver extra detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more recent SZ-15 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Portrait photography features
Sony S980 Portrait photography features
44
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
supports face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
27
focusing manually
no manual mode
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Street photography information
Sony S980 Street photography information
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (250g)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
47
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-15
Sports photography with Sony S980
53
incredible zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
supports tracking focus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
17
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-15
Travel photography with Sony S980
68
lighter than competitors in class (250g)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (23mm)
very long zoom (483mm)
missing Time Lapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Landscape photography factors
Sony S980 Landscape photography factors
49
you can focus manually
quite wide (23mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
27
focusing manually
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
no manual mode
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Vlogging highlights
Sony S980 Vlogging highlights
34
quite wide (23mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (250g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
missing mic support
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic support
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Sony S980
 Olympus SZ-15Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-15 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-06-21 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-483mm (21.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 250 grams (0.55 lb) 167 grams (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 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 ID SLB-10A -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $200 $300