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Pentax RZ10 vs Sony S980

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio RZ10 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Pentax RZ10 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Pentax RZ10
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-280mm (F3.2-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 97 x 61 x 33mm
  • Introduced July 2011
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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Pentax RZ10 vs Sony S980 Overview

Here, we are matching up the Pentax RZ10 versus Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the RZ10 (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is very comparable and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The RZ10 was unveiled 2 years later than the S980 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a complete comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the RZ10 matches up against the S980 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax RZ10 over the Sony S980

 RZ10 S980 
IntroducedJuly 2011February 2009Fresher by 30 months

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Pentax RZ10

 S980 RZ10 

Common features in the Pentax RZ10 and Sony S980

 RZ10 S980 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Pentax RZ10 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera often, you will want to take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax RZ10 provides outer measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) while the Sony S980 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check the Pentax RZ10 versus Sony S980 in the all new Camera and 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 have chosen at that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the RZ10 versus the S980.

Pentax RZ10 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the RZ10 and S980 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Pentax RZ10 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Pentax RZ10 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to see the difference in sensor sizing just by seeing specs. The graphic below might provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the RZ10 and S980.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Pentax RZ10 to produce extra detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more modern RZ10 will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Pentax RZ10 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Pentax RZ10 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax RZ10 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax RZ10
Portrait photography with Sony S980
35
has manual focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
27
manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax RZ10 Street photography info
Sony S980 Street photography info
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax RZ10 Sports photography details
Sony S980 Sports photography details
40
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14MP)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (178 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
17
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax RZ10 Travel photography advice
Sony S980 Travel photography advice
66
environment proofing
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
great reach (280mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
not so great battery (178 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax RZ10 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S980 as a Landscape photography camera
43
has manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14 megapixels)
environment proofing
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
small screen (2.7")
no manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
not so great battery (178 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
27
manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax RZ10 Vlogging factors
Sony S980 Vlogging factors
28
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
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Pentax RZ10 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax RZ10 and Sony S980
 Pentax Optio RZ10Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio RZ10 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-07-19 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-280mm (10.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.2-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft 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 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 178 gr (0.39 pounds) 167 gr (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") 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 178 pictures -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $200 $300