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Ricoh CX3 vs Sony S980

Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
35
Overall
34
Ricoh CX3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Ricoh CX3 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Ricoh CX3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
  • 206g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Introduced June 2010
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
  • Announced February 2009
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Ricoh CX3 vs Sony S980 Overview

Below is a comprehensive review of the Ricoh CX3 and Sony S980, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Ricoh and Sony. The image resolution of the CX3 (10MP) and the S980 (12MP) is relatively close and both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The CX3 was introduced 17 months later than the S980 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the CX3 scores vs the S980 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh CX3 over the Sony S980

 CX3 S980 
AnnouncedJune 2010February 2009More recent by 17 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Ricoh CX3

 S980 CX3 

Common features in the Ricoh CX3 and Sony S980

 CX3 S980 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Ricoh CX3 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to lug around your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and volume. The Ricoh CX3 features outside measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) while 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).

See the Ricoh CX3 and Sony S980 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the CX3 compared to the S980.

Ricoh CX3 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the CX3 and S980 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Ricoh CX3 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh CX3 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements purely by looking through specifications. The photograph here will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the CX3 and S980.

To sum up, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should count on the Sony S980 to provide you with more detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs more aggressively. The younger CX3 provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Ricoh CX3 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Ricoh CX3 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh CX3 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh CX3 Portrait photography details
Sony S980 Portrait photography details
27
focusing manually
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
27
focusing manually
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Ricoh CX3 Street photography advice
Sony S980 Street photography advice
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (206g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
47
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh CX3 Sports photography features
Sony S980 Sports photography features
27
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
17
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh CX3 Travel photography factors
Sony S980 Travel photography factors
66
lighter than competitors (206 grams)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
very long reach (300mm)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
low MP (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh CX3 Landscape photography highlights
Sony S980 Landscape photography highlights
42
focusing manually
rather wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
27
focusing manually
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh CX3 Vlogging factors
Sony S980 Vlogging factors
30
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (206 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone jack
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic port
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Ricoh CX3 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh CX3 and Sony S980
 Ricoh CX3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Ricoh Sony
Model Ricoh CX3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-06-16 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Smooth Imaging Engine IV -
Sensor type BSI-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 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-300mm (10.7x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.6 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 2 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 206g (0.45 pounds) 167g (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") 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 DB-100 -
Self timer Yes (2, 10 or Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $329 $300