Samsung GX-10 vs Sony S980
59 Imaging
48 Features
43 Overall
46


94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Samsung GX-10 vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 793g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
- Announced September 2006
- Updated by Samsung GX-20
(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
- Launched February 2009

Samsung GX-10 vs Sony S980 Overview
Its time to look more in depth at the Samsung GX-10 and Sony S980, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Samsung and Sony. The sensor resolution of the GX-10 (10MP) and the S980 (12MP) is fairly close but the GX-10 (APS-C) and S980 (1/2.3") offer different sensor dimensions.

The GX-10 was unveiled 3 years earlier than the S980 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Samsung GX-10 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.
Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short summation of how the GX-10 matches up versus the S980 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Samsung GX-10 vs Sony S980 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Samsung GX-10 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The full galleries are provided at Samsung GX-10 Gallery and Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Samsung GX-10 over the Sony S980
GX-10 | S980 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Samsung GX-10
S980 | GX-10 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2009 | ![]() | September 2006 | More modern by 29 months |
Display dimensions | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 210k | Clearer display (+20k dot) |
Common features in the Samsung GX-10 and Sony S980
GX-10 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Absent Touch display |
Samsung GX-10 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Samsung GX-10 provides outer measurements of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 793 grams (1.75 lbs) and the Sony S980 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Look at the Samsung GX-10 and Sony S980 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using at the time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the GX-10 vs the S980.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the GX-10 and S980 is 59 and 94 respectively.

Samsung GX-10 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it can be hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizes just by viewing technical specs. The image underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the GX-10 and S980.
As you have seen, each of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The GX-10 having a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Sony S980 will provide you with more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics more aggressively. The more aged GX-10 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Samsung GX-10 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung GX-10 vs Sony S980 Specifications
Samsung GX-10 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Samsung | Sony |
Model type | Samsung GX-10 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2006-09-21 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 23.5 x 15.7mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 369.0mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 3872 x 2592 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Pentax KAF2 | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | - | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Largest aperture | - | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focusing distance | - | 10cm |
Total lenses | 151 | - |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.5" | 2.7" |
Display resolution | 210 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | - |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30s | 2s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shooting speed | 3.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 3.50 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/180s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | None | 1280x720 |
Video file format | - | Motion JPEG |
Microphone 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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 793 gr (1.75 lb) | 167 gr (0.37 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") | 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 | ||
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/MMC/SDHC card | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail pricing | $850 | $300 |