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Olympus TG-310 vs Sony S980

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35
Olympus TG-310 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Olympus TG-310
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-102mm (F3.9-5.9) lens
  • 155g - 96 x 63 x 23mm
  • Released January 2011
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
  • Launched February 2009
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Olympus TG-310 vs Sony S980 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Olympus TG-310 and Sony S980, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the TG-310 (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is pretty close and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The TG-310 was brought out 23 months after the S980 which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a complete comparison, here is a short overview of how the TG-310 grades vs the S980 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-310 over the Sony S980

 TG-310 S980 
LaunchedJanuary 2011February 2009More modern by 23 months

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Olympus TG-310

 S980 TG-310 
Manual focus More precise focusing

Common features in the Olympus TG-310 and Sony S980

 TG-310 S980 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus TG-310 enjoys physical dimensions of 96mm x 63mm x 23mm (3.8" x 2.5" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus TG-310 and Sony S980 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the TG-310 compared to the S980.

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TG-310 and S980 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizes purely by viewing specifications. The pic below may give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-310 and S980.

Plainly, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can expect the Olympus TG-310 to render greater detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs more aggressively. The more recent TG-310 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-310 Portrait photography features
Sony S980 Portrait photography features
33
megapixel count good (14MP)
supports face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
27
has manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-310 Street photography details
Sony S980 Street photography details
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
lighter than average in class (155 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
47
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-310 Sports photography information
Sony S980 Sports photography information
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery (150 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
17
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-310 Travel photography information
Sony S980 Travel photography information
67
lighter than average in class (155g)
weather proofing
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse function
bad battery (150 CIPA)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-310 Landscape photography details
Sony S980 Landscape photography details
39
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14MP)
weather proofing
focusing manually not possible
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
bad battery (150 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
27
has manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-310 as a Vlogging camera
Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
32
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection focus
lighter than average in class (155g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone port
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic port
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Olympus TG-310 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-310 and Sony S980
 Olympus TG-310Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model Olympus TG-310 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-01-06 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 14MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-102mm (3.6x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.9-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 3cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.20 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 155 gr (0.34 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 96 x 63 x 23mm (3.8" x 2.5" x 0.9") 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 150 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-42B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $0 $300