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Ricoh CX4 vs Sony S980

Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
34
Overall
34
Ricoh CX4 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Ricoh CX4 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Ricoh CX4
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
  • 205g - 102 x 59 x 29mm
  • Announced August 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
  • Introduced February 2009
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Ricoh CX4 vs Sony S980 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Ricoh CX4 versus Sony S980, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Ricoh and Sony. The sensor resolution of the CX4 (10MP) and the S980 (12MP) is relatively close and both cameras have the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The CX4 was unveiled 19 months after the S980 which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the CX4 grades versus the S980 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Ricoh CX4 over the Sony S980

 CX4 S980 
IntroducedAugust 2010February 2009Newer by 19 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Ricoh CX4

 S980 CX4 

Common features in the Ricoh CX4 and Sony S980

 CX4 S980 
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Ricoh CX4 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera often, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Ricoh CX4 enjoys exterior dimensions of 102mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs) while the Sony S980 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Examine the Ricoh CX4 versus Sony S980 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the CX4 compared to the S980.

Ricoh CX4 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the CX4 and S980 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Ricoh CX4 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Ricoh CX4 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to picture the difference in sensor dimensions simply by viewing specifications. The picture below may give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the CX4 and S980.

To sum up, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should count on the Sony S980 to render more detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots more aggressively. The fresher CX4 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Ricoh CX4 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Ricoh CX4 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Ricoh CX4 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Ricoh CX4 Portrait photography info
Sony S980 Portrait photography info
27
you can focus manually
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
27
you can focus manually
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Ricoh CX4
Street photography with Sony S980
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (205 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
47
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Ricoh CX4 Sports photography features
Sony S980 Sports photography features
25
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
17
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Ricoh CX4 Travel photography details
Sony S980 Travel photography details
66
lighter than others in class (205g)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
very long reach (300mm)
resolution not great (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Ricoh CX4 Landscape photography advice
Sony S980 Landscape photography advice
42
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
resolution not great (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
27
you can focus manually
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Ricoh CX4 Vlogging features
Sony S980 Vlogging features
30
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (205g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone support
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic support
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Ricoh CX4 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Ricoh CX4 and Sony S980
 Ricoh CX4Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Name Ricoh Sony
Model Ricoh CX4 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-08-19 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-300mm (10.7x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.6 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change 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
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 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest 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 205 gr (0.45 lbs) 167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 102 x 59 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 feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $211 $300