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Pentax W90 vs Sony S980

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Pentax Optio W90 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Pentax W90 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Introduced February 2010
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
  • Revealed February 2009
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Pentax W90 vs Sony S980 Overview

The following is a comprehensive comparison of the Pentax W90 and Sony S980, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the W90 (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The W90 was manufactured 13 months after the S980 making them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the W90 matches up versus the S980 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Sony S980

 W90 S980 
RevealedFebruary 2010February 2009Newer by 13 months

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Pentax W90

 S980 W90 

Common features in the Pentax W90 and Sony S980

 W90 S980 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Pentax W90 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax W90 has physical dimensions of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs) and 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).

Take a look at the Pentax W90 and Sony S980 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use during that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the W90 and the S980.

Pentax W90 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the W90 and S980 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Pentax W90 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Pentax W90 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions only by going through specs. The pic here will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the W90 and S980.

All in all, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same MP so you can expect comparable quality of photos however you should always factor the age of the cameras into account. The newer W90 provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Pentax W90 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Pentax W90 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax W90 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax W90
Portrait photography with Sony S980
27
focusing manually
no manual control
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
27
manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax W90
Street photography with Sony S980
54
weather proofing
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
47
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax W90 Sports photography features
Sony S980 Sports photography features
24
weather proofing
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
17
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax W90 as a Travel photography camera
Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
64
weather proofing
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax W90 Landscape photography factors
Sony S980 Landscape photography factors
37
focusing manually
quite wide (28mm)
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
27
manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax W90 Vlogging information
Sony S980 Vlogging information
25
quite wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone port
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone port
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Pentax W90 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax W90 and Sony S980
 Pentax Optio W90Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio W90 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-02-24 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Prime -
Sensor type CCD 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 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.90 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 164 gr (0.36 lbs) 167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 ID D-LI68 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $120 $300