Olympus SH-2 vs Sony S980
88 Imaging
40 Features
51 Overall
44


94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Olympus SH-2 vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
- 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
- Revealed March 2015
- Older Model is Olympus SH-1
- Newer Model is Olympus SH-3
(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 SH-2 vs Sony S980 Overview
Following is a comprehensive comparison of the Olympus SH-2 and Sony S980, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Sony. There exists a crucial gap between the sensor resolutions of the SH-2 (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The SH-2 was introduced 6 years after the S980 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the SH-2 matches up against the S980 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus SH-2 vs Sony S980 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus Stylus SH-2 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus SH-2 Gallery and Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SH-2 over the Sony S980
SH-2 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | March 2015 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 74 months |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Olympus SH-2
S980 | SH-2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial precise focus |
Common features in the Olympus SH-2 and Sony S980
SH-2 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen |
Olympus SH-2 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SH-2 comes with outside measurements of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus SH-2 and Sony S980 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use during that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the SH-2 versus the S980.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SH-2 and S980 is 88 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SH-2 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes only by checking a spec sheet. The pic below may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SH-2 and S980.
As you can see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should expect the Olympus SH-2 to give greater detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures far more aggressively. The newer SH-2 provides an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus SH-2 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-2 vs Sony S980 Specifications
Olympus Stylus SH-2 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus Stylus SH-2 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2015-03-11 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | TruePic VII | - |
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 surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 12MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 125 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focusing distance | 3cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Display resolution | 460k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30s | 2s |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter speed | 11.5 frames per second | 1.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) | 3.50 m |
Flash modes | Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off | 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 | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 271 grams (0.60 lb) | 167 grams (0.37 lb) |
Dimensions | 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") | 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 | 380 images | - |
Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | LI-92B | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $399 | $300 |