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Pentax X70 vs Sony S980

Portability
71
Imaging
34
Features
34
Overall
34
Pentax X70 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Pentax X70 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Pentax X70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 50 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 410g - 110 x 83 x 90mm
  • Released March 2009
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
  • Released February 2009
Photography Glossary

Pentax X70 vs Sony S980 Overview

Here is a comprehensive overview of the Pentax X70 vs Sony S980, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the X70 (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is pretty well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The X70 was released at a similar time to the S980 so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras come with different body type with the Pentax X70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a in depth comparison, below is a brief summation of how the X70 grades versus the S980 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Sony S980

 X70 S980 

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Pentax X70

 S980 X70 

Common features in the Pentax X70 and Sony S980

 X70 S980 
ReleasedMarch 2009February 2009Similar generation
Focus manually More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Pentax X70 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax X70 has got outside dimensions of 110mm x 83mm x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") along with a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs) while 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).

Analyze the Pentax X70 vs Sony S980 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the X70 and the S980.

Pentax X70 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the X70 and S980 is 71 and 94 respectively.

Pentax X70 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing merely by checking technical specs. The visual here will help give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the X70 and S980.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same megapixels so you should expect similar quality of photographs though you should really take the release date of the products into consideration.

Pentax X70 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Pentax X70 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax X70 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax X70 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S980 as a Portrait photography camera
28
manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
27
focusing manually
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax X70 Street photography factors
Sony S980 Street photography factors
46
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
47
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax X70 Sports photography info
Sony S980 Sports photography info
50
great zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
17
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax X70 as a Travel photography camera
Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
52
has built in flash
rather wide (26mm)
great reach (624mm)
missing Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax X70 Landscape photography features
Sony S980 Landscape photography features
35
manual focus
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
27
focusing manually
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax X70 Vlogging advice
Sony S980 Vlogging advice
24
rather wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic port
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic support
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Pentax X70 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax X70 and Sony S980
 Pentax X70Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax X70 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-03-02 2009-02-17
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 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
Minimum native ISO 50 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 26-624mm (24.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 10cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.10 m 3.50 m
Flash modes - 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
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 410 gr (0.90 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") 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 model D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $200 $300