Clicky

Samsung GX-10 vs Sony S980

Portability
59
Imaging
48
Features
43
Overall
46
Samsung GX-10 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Samsung GX-10 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Samsung GX-10
(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
Sony S980
(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
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

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.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

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.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms
	
	

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 
LaunchedFebruary 2009September 2006More modern by 29 months
Display dimensions2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution230k210kClearer display (+20k dot)

Common features in the Samsung GX-10 and Sony S980

 GX-10 S980 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Samsung GX-10 vs Sony S980 size comparison

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

Samsung GX-10 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Samsung GX-10 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung GX-10 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung GX-10 Portrait photography info
Sony S980 Portrait photography info
52
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
27
focusing manually
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Samsung GX-10 Street photography factors
Sony S980 Street photography factors
64
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
no moving screen
47
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Samsung GX-10 Sports photography details
Sony S980 Sports photography details
52
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
weather proofing
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
17
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Samsung GX-10 Travel photography factors
Sony S980 Travel photography factors
49
weather proofing
has built in flash
missing Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low resolution (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Samsung GX-10 Landscape photography features
Sony S980 Landscape photography features
55
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
no liveview
low resolution sensor (10MP)
missing Timelapse recording
27
focusing manually
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung GX-10 Vlogging advice
Sony S980 Vlogging advice
9
no video recording
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone port
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Samsung GX-10 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung GX-10 and Sony S980
 Samsung GX-10Sony 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