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Olympus TG-830 iHS vs Sony S980

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
40
Overall
40
Olympus TG-830 iHS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus TG-830 iHS vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Olympus TG-830 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 109 x 67 x 28mm
  • Launched January 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
  • Introduced February 2009
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Olympus TG-830 iHS vs Sony S980 Overview

The following is a complete overview of the Olympus TG-830 iHS and Sony S980, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the TG-830 iHS (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The TG-830 iHS was announced 3 years after the S980 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the TG-830 iHS matches up vs the S980 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-830 iHS over the Sony S980

 TG-830 iHS S980 
IntroducedJanuary 2013February 2009Newer by 48 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Olympus TG-830 iHS

 S980 TG-830 iHS 
Focus manually More precise focus

Common features in the Olympus TG-830 iHS and Sony S980

 TG-830 iHS S980 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Olympus TG-830 iHS vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-830 iHS enjoys physical measurements of 109mm x 67mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1") and a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) and the Sony S980 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Olympus TG-830 iHS and Sony S980 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use during that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the TG-830 iHS compared to the S980.

Olympus TG-830 iHS vs Sony S980 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the TG-830 iHS and S980 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Olympus TG-830 iHS vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-830 iHS vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions only by seeing a spec sheet. The picture here should offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-830 iHS and S980.

Clearly, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Olympus TG-830 iHS to show extra detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The newer TG-830 iHS should have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus TG-830 iHS vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-830 iHS vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-830 iHS vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-830 iHS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S980 as a Portrait photography camera
35
good resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
27
manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-830 iHS Street photography info
Sony S980 Street photography info
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
47
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-830 iHS Sports photography highlights
Sony S980 Sports photography highlights
48
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
weather proofing
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
17
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus TG-830 iHS
Travel photography with Sony S980
67
weather proofing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.9)
51
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-830 iHS Landscape photography features
Sony S980 Landscape photography features
45
decently wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
weather proofing
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.9)
manual exposure not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
27
manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-830 iHS Vlogging features
Sony S980 Vlogging features
33
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.9)
display isn't selfie friendly
no mic support
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic jack
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Olympus TG-830 iHS vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-830 iHS and Sony S980
 Olympus TG-830 iHSSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus TG-830 iHS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-01-08 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type 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 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.9-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 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 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 214 grams (0.47 lb) 167 grams (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 109 x 67 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 300 photos -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $0 $300