Samsung GX-1L vs Sony S980

Below, we are reviewing the Samsung GX-1L versus Sony S980, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Samsung and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the GX-1L (6MP) and S980 (12MP) and the GX-1L (APS-C) and S980 (1/2.3") feature different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The GX-1L was revealed 4 years before the S980 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Samsung GX-1L being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a full comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the GX-1L grades versus the S980 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Samsung GX-1L and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The full galleries are viewable at Samsung GX-1L Gallery and Sony S980 Gallery.

For those who are going to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Samsung GX-1L has outside dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") and a weight of 570 grams (1.26 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Samsung GX-1L versus Sony S980 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the GX-1L versus the S980.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GX-1L and S980 is 69 and 94 respectively.

Typically, it can be tough to imagine the gap between sensor measurements simply by reading through specs. The visual here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the GX-1L and S980.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The GX-1L having a larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony S980 will give extra detail because of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images much more aggressively. The older GX-1L is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.