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Samsung GX-20 vs Sony S980

Portability
58
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52
Samsung GX-20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Samsung GX-20 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Samsung GX-20
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 72mm
  • Revealed January 2008
  • Succeeded the Samsung GX-10
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
  • Announced February 2009
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Samsung GX-20 vs Sony S980 Overview

Following is a extended analysis of the Samsung GX-20 versus Sony S980, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Samsung and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the GX-20 (15MP) and S980 (12MP) and the GX-20 (APS-C) and S980 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The GX-20 was unveiled 13 months before the S980 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Samsung GX-20 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple overview of how the GX-20 matches up against the S980 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung GX-20 over the Sony S980

 GX-20 S980 

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Samsung GX-20

 S980 GX-20 
AnnouncedFebruary 2009January 2008More modern by 13 months

Common features in the Samsung GX-20 and Sony S980

 GX-20 S980 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Samsung GX-20 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera often, you'll have to think about its weight and volume. The Samsung GX-20 provides outer measurements of 142mm x 101mm x 72mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Analyze the Samsung GX-20 versus Sony S980 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the GX-20 vs the S980.

Samsung GX-20 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GX-20 and S980 is 58 and 94 respectively.

Samsung GX-20 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Samsung GX-20 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes only by going over a spec sheet. The picture underneath may offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the GX-20 and S980.

Clearly, each of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The GX-20 with its bigger sensor will make getting bokeh easier and the Samsung GX-20 will offer you greater detail having an extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs much more aggressively. The more aged GX-20 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Samsung GX-20 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Samsung GX-20 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung GX-20 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung GX-20
Portrait photography with Sony S980
71
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
27
has manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Samsung GX-20 Street photography factors
Sony S980 Street photography factors
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
no moving screen
47
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Samsung GX-20 Sports photography highlights
Sony S980 Sports photography highlights
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
slow frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
17
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung GX-20 as a Travel photography camera
Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
63
weather proof
megapixel count decent (15MP)
has built in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung GX-20 Landscape photography highlights
Sony S980 Landscape photography highlights
70
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
screen is small (2.7 inches)
27
has manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual mode
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung GX-20 Vlogging highlights
Sony S980 Vlogging highlights
9
can't record video
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
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Samsung GX-20 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung GX-20 and Sony S980
 Samsung GX-20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Make Samsung Sony
Model Samsung GX-20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2008-01-24 2009-02-17
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 365.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4688 x 3120 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range - 10cm
Number of lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 seconds -
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)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800 gr (1.76 pounds) 167 gr (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 142 x 101 x 72mm (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 score 68 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 714 not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $850 $300