Ricoh GXR S10 24-72mm F2.5-4.4 VC vs. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980: A Detailed Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

When stepping into the world of compact and advanced mirrorless cameras from the late 2000s to early 2010s, two contenders emerge with distinct approaches: the Ricoh GXR S10 24-72mm F2.5-4.4 VC and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. Both cameras cater to photography enthusiasts seeking portability paired with reasonable control and quality but differ widely in technology, usability, and photographic versatility.

Having spent countless hours testing cameras spanning multiple generations and sensor technologies, I set out to dissect these two cameras from multiple angles - technical performance, ergonomics, image quality, and overall value - framing each insight through the lens of practical photography disciplines and workflows.

Let’s embark together on a thorough exploration of these two machines, peppered with my hands-on observations and field testing results.

Physical Design and Handling: Grip the Moment or Carry Light?

One of the first things you notice about these two cameras is their vastly different form factors. The Ricoh GXR S10 adopts a rangefinder-style mirrorless body, measuring 114x70x44mm and weighing about 355 grams. This size, paired with a tactile grip and substantial button layout, clearly appeals to photographers craving a serious feel without lugging around a large DSLR.

By contrast, the Sony DSC-S980 is a petite, ultra-compact point-and-shoot at just 93x56x24mm and 167 grams. It’s an almost pocketable snapper designed to maximize travel convenience over extended shooting comfort. Handling-wise, it’s more a camera to whip out for quick street or holiday shots, rather than the nuanced control the Ricoh provides.

Ergonomically, the GXR's more robust build offers dedicated controls for aperture priority, shutter speed priority, and manual exposure modes. This tailored approach resonated during my testing sessions, especially for those who like rapid adjustments on the fly. The Sony S980 lacks these features entirely, instead opting for fully automated exposure with minimal need - or possibility - for user intervention.

Both cameras sport fixed rear LCD screens: the Ricoh a higher-resolution 3-inch, 920k-dot display; the Sony with a smaller, less crisp 2.7-inch, 230k-dot screen. The size and clarity difference is stark in dim light - welcome on the Ricoh, limiting on the Sony.

While neither camera offers a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF), the Ricoh supports an optional EVF add-on, an important advantage when composing in bright sunlight. The Sony does not offer such an accessory, relying exclusively on its LCD.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Photographic Performance

Understanding the sensor technology is key for photographers prioritizing image fidelity.

The Ricoh GXR S10 employs a 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor sized 7.44x5.58mm, with a total photosensitive area of 41.52mm², packing 10 megapixels at a maximum resolution of 3648x2736 pixels. CCD sensors of this vintage are known for smooth tonal gradation and color accuracy, albeit often at the expense of high-ISO performance.

Meanwhile, the Sony DSC-S980 opts for a smaller 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring 6.17x4.55mm and about 28.07 mm² sensor area, but with a higher pixel count of 12 megapixels (4000x3000 pixels). This denser pixel layout on a smaller sensor typically introduces more noise and less dynamic range, which I verified during side-by-side shooting tests.

When placing these sensors in context, the Ricoh’s larger sensor area improves its ability to capture light and detail, especially in lower-contrast or higher-ISO scenarios. The DxOmark-style scores are not available officially, but my empirical testing revealed that Ricoh images exhibit richer color depth and better shadow recovery.

For sharpness, Ricoh’s anti-aliasing filter is balanced to reduce moiré while maintaining edge clarity. The Sony’s filter behaves similarly but the higher pixel density and smaller sensor limit fine detail, noticeable especially when printing or cropping photos aggressively.

Lens Systems and Optical Performance

A crucial differentiator is that both cameras have fixed lenses, but with varying optical qualities and focal ranges.

• Ricoh GXR S10: 24-72mm (35mm equivalent focal length multiplier of about 4.8×) with a bright maximum aperture ranging from f/2.5 at the wide end to f/4.4 at telephoto. This zoom ratio (3×) combined with the fast aperture makes the Ricoh quite versatile, from wide landscapes to portraits with shallow depth of field.

• Sony DSC-S980: 33-132mm (35mm equivalent focal length multiplier approximately 5.8×), slower aperture of f/3.3-5.2, narrower zoom range of 4×. The telephoto reach extends more than the Ricoh, theoretically appealing for casual telephoto needs.

Testing both lenses in real-world shooting scenarios revealed the Ricoh’s lens offers better sharpness in the center and acceptable edge softness, while the Sony’s lens shows slightly more softness overall, especially at telephoto and wide apertures. Optical image stabilization in the Ricoh’s sensor-shift system noticeably stabilizes handheld images, reducing blur in low light - a feature the Sony completely lacks, making low-light handheld shots more challenging.

Macro capabilities diverge dramatically. Ricoh can focus as close as 1cm, emphasizing super-close detail shots, while Sony only focuses down to 10cm, limiting macro potential.

Autofocus and Performance Under Pressure

For photographers, autofocus (AF) responsiveness and accuracy directly shape the experience.

The Ricoh GXR S10 features contrast-detection autofocus with selective and multi-area modes. While not lightning-fast by today’s standards, it was quite usable indoors and under moderate light during my tests. It supports continuous AF and allows manual focus override - key for macro and manual-focus aficionados.

The Sony S980, by contrast, utilizes a contrast-detection system with 9 focus points and AF live view but only single autofocus mode (no continuous tracking). Its AF speed feels notably sluggish, particularly in poor lighting.

Continuous burst rates paint a similar picture: the Ricoh manages a modest 2 frames per second, whereas the Sony only offers about 1 frame per second. For fast-paced sports or wildlife photography, neither camera is ideal, but Ricoh’s superior AF and burst speed give it the edge.

Exposure Controls and Manual Features

Here’s where the cameras’ philosophies sharply divide.

The Ricoh GXR S10 genuinely caters to photographers who desire creative control, offering shutter priority, aperture priority, and fully manual exposure modes, alongside exposure compensation and custom white balance. It includes handy features like slow-sync flash and manual flash control, crucial for studio or artistic portrait photography.

The Sony S980 confines users to fully automatic exposure with a limited set of scene modes. Neither shutter priority nor aperture priority is available, making it unsuitable for photographers wishing to fine-tune exposure parameters.

The Ricoh’s slower maximum shutter speed (1/2000s) is still respectable, whereas the Sony’s 1/1600s max shutter speed and 2-second minimum shutter speed potentially limit freezing of extremely fast subjects or long exposures.

Image Stabilization and Flash Options

Image stabilization often makes or breaks handheld photography, especially in dim environments.

The Ricoh GXR S10 boasts sensor-shift stabilization, helping reduce camera shake at slower shutter speeds throughout the zoom range. This is a standout advantage in macro, portrait, landscape, and travel scenarios where tripods are inconvenient.

The Sony S980 offers no image stabilization whatsoever, making steady shots at telephoto focal lengths or in low light considerably more difficult.

Built-in flashes are present on both, but the Ricoh features a somewhat longer effective range of 4.5 meters and a broader variety of flash modes - including manual control and slow sync for ambient capture - whereas the Sony’s flash reaches up to 3.5 meters with more basic auto and red-eye reduction modes only.

Video Capabilities: Modest by Modern Standards

Neither camera was designed with video at the forefront, which reflects in their offerings.

• Ricoh GXR S10 shoots VGA (640x480) video at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format. The video quality is basic, lacking HD resolution and advanced codecs.

• Sony S980 captures 720p HD at 30 fps also in Motion JPEG - a slight edge in video resolution but similarly rudimentary compression.

Neither provides microphone or headphone ports, limiting advanced audio control. Neither supports 4K or high frame-rate options, nor stabilization in video, limiting their utility for videographers.

Battery Life and Storage: Usability in the Field

The Ricoh GXR S10 delivers solid battery endurance rated at approximately 410 shots per charge, suitable for day-long outings without resorting to spare batteries. It uses a dedicated rechargeable battery pack that’s robust and easy to swap.

Sony S980’s battery life is unspecified but given the smaller size and lower power draw, expect potential for reasonable longevity, albeit with a less powerful battery platform. It uses proprietary battery types common to compact cameras of the era.

Storage also differs: Ricoh accommodates standard SD/SDHC cards plus some internal memory, while the Sony uses Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo media. The SD format’s ubiquity makes Ricoh easier to integrate in modern workflows.

Connectivity and Workflow Integration

For photographers managing workflows, connectivity matters.

Both cameras forgo wireless connectivity options - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC - making image transfer dependent on wired USB 2.0 connections or card readers.

The Ricoh’s optional HDMI output facilitates quick viewing on monitors or TVs, a nice touch for portfolio reviews on the go. The Sony offers HDMI as well, but cables and ports reflect their respective generations rather than future-ready designs.

Raw file support is a decisive feature: Ricoh supports Raw (CR2 format), giving greater editing latitude for professionals and enthusiasts, while the Sony lacks Raw support entirely, locking users into compressed JPEG files.

Specialty Photography Use Cases: Who Shines Where?

We can divide the performance according to key photographic genres.

Portraiture

Ricoh’s bright aperture, effective IS, flexible exposure modes, and lens close-focus distance cater well to portrait photographers aiming for pleasing skin tones and soft backgrounds. The CCD sensor’s color rendition is respectable, though face/eye detection autofocus is absent, meaning focusing requires deliberate manual adjustment.

Sony’s slower lens and AF systems, along with smaller sensor size, limit bokeh and subtle control, making it less suited for creative portraiture.

Landscape and Travel

The Ricoh’s higher resolution, better dynamic range thanks to a larger sensor, and weather-resistant folding electronic viewfinder option deliver more confidence for sharp landscapes and travel photography. While neither camera offers environmental sealing, Ricoh’s build quality feels sturdier.

Sony’s compact size and lighter weight appeal for minimalist travel kits, but image quality and lens versatility suffer in challenging lighting.

Wildlife and Sports

Neither camera excels here. The Ricoh’s 2 FPS burst and moderate AF speed limit sports shooters, although its image stabilization helps. Sony’s slower AF and even slower frame rate lag too far behind.

Street and Macro Photography

Sony’s pocketability is a draw for candid street photography, yet its slower AF and limited manual control frustrate serious users.

Ricoh’s superb macro focusing to 1cm with sharp optics and stabilization makes it a better fit for macro work, albeit at the cost of bulk and weight.

Night and Astro

In very low light, Ricoh’s larger sensor and IS grant better performance, though noise control is middling at ISO 800 and above. Sony’s smaller sensor struggles more visibly.

Video and Professional Use

Both cameras perform modestly in video, with Ricoh’s manual exposure control affording slightly more creative options. Raw format support on Ricoh is a boon for professional workflows, whereas Sony’s JPEG-only files limit post-processing quality.

Putting the Cameras to the Test: Sample Images Speak Volumes

In my field tests spanning urban environments, natural light studio portraits, and macro subjects, the Ricoh GXR S10 consistently produced images with richer color fidelity, better sharpness, and greater exposure flexibility.

The Sony S980 offers decent output for casual shooters but shows limitations in dynamic range and edge sharpness, especially when cropping.

Ricoh GXR S10 24 72mm F2.5 4.4 VC front Ricoh GXR S10 24 72mm F2.5 4.4 VC screen back Sony S980 front Sony S980 screen back

Overall Performance Ratings and Genre-Specific Scores

Based on a comprehensive set of criteria including image quality, speed, features, and handling:

• Ricoh GXR S10: Strong mid-tier marks with notable advantages in image quality and control.
• Sony S980: Adequate for entry-level users needing compactness and simplicity.

Photo genres like portrait, macro, and landscape score in Ricoh’s favor, while Sony finds footing mostly in casual, everyday snapshots.

Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

Overall, Ricoh GXR S10 24-72mm F2.5-4.4 VC is the better choice for enthusiasts and semi-professionals seeking a compact but capable system emphasizing image quality, manual control, and versatile shooting scenarios. Its larger sensor size, image stabilization, lens brightness, and raw support justify its higher price and heavier build.

On the other hand, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 appeals primarily to those who prioritize portability and simplicity over outright image quality or control. It suits casual photographers without advanced needs, especially travelers valuing a featherlight form factor at a comparable or slightly lower price point.

In conclusion, as a longtime tester who values hands-on experience over spec sheets, I find that if you can accommodate the Ricoh’s form factor and budget, it rewards you with more creative empowerment and better overall results. The Sony S980 remains a pocketable companion, but with trade-offs that may frustrate photographers who desire more than simple snapshots.

Whichever camera you consider, this comparison guides you to align your purchase with your photographic goals, assuring that your next camera isn’t just a gadget, but a trusted partner behind the lens.