Olympus SH-3 vs Sony S980
88 Imaging
41 Features
51 Overall
45


94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Olympus SH-3 vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 3840 x 2160 video
- 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
- 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
- Released February 2016
- Replaced the Olympus SH-2
(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
- Announced February 2009

Olympus SH-3 vs Sony S980 Overview
Its time to take a more detailed look at the Olympus SH-3 and Sony S980, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the resolutions of the SH-3 (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SH-3 was brought out 7 years later than the S980 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before delving through a complete comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the SH-3 matches up vs the S980 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus SH-3 vs Sony S980 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus Stylus SH-3 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The entire galleries are available at Olympus SH-3 Gallery and Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SH-3 over the Sony S980
SH-3 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2016 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 85 months |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Olympus SH-3
S980 | SH-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focusing |
Common features in the Olympus SH-3 and Sony S980
SH-3 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen |
Olympus SH-3 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
For those who are going to lug around your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SH-3 features external measurements of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") along with 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") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Contrast the Olympus SH-3 and Sony S980 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the SH-3 compared to the S980.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SH-3 and S980 is 88 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SH-3 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, its tough to envision the contrast in sensor measurements only by checking out specs. The graphic underneath may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SH-3 and S980.
All in all, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Olympus SH-3 to show more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more recent SH-3 will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus SH-3 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Sony S980 Specifications
Olympus Stylus SH-3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Sony |
Model | Olympus Stylus SH-3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2016-02-08 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | TruePic VII | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | 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 aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 125 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focus distance | 3cm | 10cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Display resolution | 460 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 2 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 11.5 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) | 3.50 m |
Flash settings | Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 3840 x 2160 (15 fps), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 3840x2160 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 271 gr (0.60 pounds) | 167 gr (0.37 pounds) |
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 All around score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 380 images | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | LI-92B | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $579 | $300 |