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Samsung HZ25W vs Sony S980

Portability
70
Imaging
35
Features
32
Overall
33
Samsung HZ25W front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Samsung HZ25W vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Samsung HZ25W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 428g - 116 x 83 x 92mm
  • Released July 2010
  • Other Name is WB5000
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
  • Released February 2009
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Samsung HZ25W vs Sony S980 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Samsung HZ25W versus Sony S980, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the HZ25W (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is very similar and both cameras have the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The HZ25W was manufactured 17 months later than the S980 making them a generation apart from one another. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief summation of how the HZ25W scores versus the S980 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung HZ25W over the Sony S980

 HZ25W S980 
ReleasedJuly 2010February 2009More recent by 17 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Samsung HZ25W

 S980 HZ25W 

Common features in the Samsung HZ25W and Sony S980

 HZ25W S980 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Samsung HZ25W vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Samsung HZ25W comes with external dimensions of 116mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") along with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Sony S980 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check the Samsung HZ25W versus Sony S980 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use during that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the HZ25W against the S980.

Samsung HZ25W vs Sony S980 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the HZ25W and S980 is 70 and 94 respectively.

Samsung HZ25W vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Samsung HZ25W vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to imagine the difference between sensor measurements only by going over a spec sheet. The photograph below might offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the HZ25W and S980.

As you can see, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same resolution and you can expect similar quality of photographs however you have to factor the age of the products into consideration. The more modern HZ25W should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Samsung HZ25W vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Samsung HZ25W vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung HZ25W vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung HZ25W Portrait photography advice
Sony S980 Portrait photography advice
34
focusing manually
supports RAW formats
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
27
you can focus manually
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Samsung HZ25W Street photography info
Sony S980 Street photography info
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
47
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Samsung HZ25W as a Sports photography camera
Sony S980 as a Sports photography camera
34
great zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
17
low fps (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung HZ25W
Travel photography with Sony S980
52
built-in flash
quite wide (26mm)
long reach (624mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
51
built-in flash
missing Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung HZ25W Landscape photography info
Sony S980 Landscape photography info
43
focusing manually
quite wide (26mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse function
27
you can focus manually
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung HZ25W Vlogging advice
Sony S980 Vlogging advice
24
quite wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic port
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone jack
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Samsung HZ25W vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung HZ25W and Sony S980
 Samsung HZ25WSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung HZ25W Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Also called WB5000 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2010-07-06 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 64 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-624mm (24.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 10cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 16s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 428 grams (0.94 lbs) 167 grams (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 116 x 83 x 92mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SC/SDHC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $350 $300