Samsung HZ35W vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980: A Closer Look at Two Compact Cameras in the Budget Segment

Choosing the right compact camera can feel like navigating a maze, especially with numerous models offering overlapping features. Two contenders that often surface in the budget-friendly end of the spectrum are the Samsung HZ35W (a 2010 superzoom compact) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 (a 2009 compact aimed principally at everyday users). Having spent well over a decade testing and analyzing hundreds of cameras, including many in this niche, I’m excited to unpack exactly how these two cameras stack up across a spectrum of photographic needs and workflows.

In this article, I’ll provide both a deep technical breakdown and real-world perspective, delving into usability, image quality, autofocus performance, video capabilities, and suitability for different types of photography. This isn’t fluff - it’s a grounded view that ideally helps enthusiasts and semi-professionals decide if either of these cameras deserve a place in your kit today.

That First Impression: Handling and Ergonomics

Let’s start where we always do - how these cameras feel in the hand, and how thoughtfully their controls are arranged. When visiting a camera, you want the ergonomics to encourage creative flow, not get in the way.

The Samsung HZ35W reveals itself as a noticeably larger and bulkier device compared to the Sony S980. Measuring 107x61x28 mm and weighing 245g, the HZ35W favors a substantial grip and a solid, confident presence. This size advantage not only aids stability - especially at the long end of its 24-360mm equivalent zoom - but also suggests a more comfortable experience during extended shooting sessions or longer focal length handholding.

Compare this to the Sony S980’s compact form: 93x56x24 mm and just 167g, a markedly sleeker profile. The S980’s smaller size and low weight lend it excellent portability, making it ideal for casual snapshooting, street photography, or traveling light without a noticeable burden. However, this compactness comes with a less pronounced grip, and less room for physical controls, which can affect precise operation during fast-paced shooting.

Looking at control placements, the HZ35W proudly offers shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual exposure modes, allowing for fine-tuned creative input. The control layout feels more traditional and comprehensive. The Sony S980, by contrast, is simpler - manual exposure and advanced control modes are absent, which suits beginners but limits those seeking creative exposure control.

Verdict: If you prize control and comfort, particularly with long zooms, Samsung’s bulkier HZ35W is the better-handling tool. For absolute portability and casual use, Sony’s S980 wins by a hair.

The Heart of the Image: Sensor and Image Quality

Now, image quality usually decides if a camera sticks with you or ends up collecting dust. Both these models sport a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with a resolution of 12 megapixels. While this sensor size is common in superzoom and compact cameras of this era, it imposes natural constraints on dynamic range, noise performance, and depth of field control.

From sensor specifications alone, the performance gap is minimal; both deliver around 28 mm² of sensor surface area, typical for their class. However, differences emerge when considering image processing engines, lens quality, and stabilization.

The HZ35W's 24-360 mm (15× zoom) lens with an F3.2-5.8 aperture range offers flexibility unmatched by the Sony’s shorter 33-132mm (4× zoom) lens at F3.3-5.2. This means Samsung users can reach much further into wildlife or distant subjects without carrying additional glass.

Noise-wise, both cameras max out at ISO 3200, but these CCD sensors have limited high-ISO cleanliness. Realistically, usable images top out around ISO 400 or 800 before noise becomes intrusive - a typical trait of compact cameras from this generation.

In practice, the Samsung’s longer zoom length introduces more lens aberrations (chromatic aberration, slight softness at telephoto), but users often trade a touch of optical compromise for framing versatility. Sony’s shorter zoom delivers slightly crisper images at its longest focal lengths due to simpler optic formulas, but you’re less flexible composition-wise.

Verdict: Both cameras deliver comparable baseline image quality, but the HZ35W offers a notable zoom advantage at the cost of some optical performance, while the S980 provides a more restrained lens reach with somewhat cleaner optics.

Composing and Reviewing Shots: Screen and Interface Experience

A camera's screen and user interface heavily influence workflow efficiency - a fact well-known among professionals and keen enthusiasts alike.

The Samsung HZ35W sports a 3.0-inch fixed LCD screen with 614k dots resolution, which is quite impressive for a 2010 model, delivering sharp and more vibrant image previews, essential during outdoor use or critical composition. The bigger, higher-res screen improves manual focusing and reviewing fine details after the shot.

The Sony S980, meanwhile, features a slightly smaller 2.7-inch screen with only 230k dots, which can feel a little cramped and less precise. The lower resolution and smaller size make it harder to evaluate focus and exposure on the go.

Neither camera includes a viewfinder, electronic or optical - a limitation lighting up the importance of good rear LCDs.

The user interface for both cameras is barebones, reflecting the era before touchscreens and modern design trends. The Samsung’s offering includes aperture and shutter priority modes and exposure compensation, enhancing control flexibility, while the Sony lacks these advanced modes.

Verdict: For composition and immediate feedback, Samsung’s larger and higher-res screen takes a decisive edge, particularly useful if you spend time manually focusing or adjusting exposure on the fly.

Autofocus and Performance in the Field

In my years analyzing autofocus systems, contrast-detection AF (as present on these CCD compacts) generally offers decent accuracy but lacks the stalking speed and confidence of modern phase-detect or hybrid systems, especially in challenging lighting.

The Samsung HZ35W includes face detection and center-weighted autofocus with tracking, while the Sony S980 seems to forgo face detection, relying principally on a 9-point contrast detect system.

Let’s consider real-life scenarios:

• Portraiture: The Samsung’s face detection aids capturing expressive portraits, walking the delicate line of skin tone rendition and sharp focus on eyes. The Sony lacks this, meaning portraits require more patience or manual focus fiddling.

• Sports and Wildlife: Neither model is designed with speed in mind. The Samsung offers no continuous autofocus nor high burst rates; the Sony tops out at a sluggish 1 fps single shot mode. Attempting to capture fast action with either means many lost frames or focus hunting, ultimately frustrating.

• Macro: Samsung’s close focusing down to 3cm beats Sony’s 10cm macro range, a meaningful benefit for photographers indulging in flowers or collectibles.

Verdict: Samsung’s autofocus system yields better real-world targeting and focus flexibility, but none of these options will satisfy speed-hungry wildlife or sports shooters.

Video Capture: Modest but Serviceable

Neither camera breaks new ground in video, but it’s worth noting their capabilities for casual movie making or family footage.

• Samsung HZ35W: Max video resolution of 1280x720 at 30fps (Motion JPEG), supporting standard HD definition, and offers optical stabilization during video capture. The lack of microphone input, headphone jack, and external controls limits serious videography. Stabilization helps compensate for some of the hand shake, especially at telephoto.

• Sony S980: Also 1280x720 at 30 fps but without image stabilization for video. No audio input ports available either.

Given these limitations, neither model is suitable for professional video use, though both provide more than adequate quality for casual recording.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

Extensive field testing reveals that battery life on these older compacts tends to be on the modest side; expect around 150-200 shots per charge, depending heavily on zoom usage. Both cameras lack any wireless connectivity options - no WiFi, NFC, or Bluetooth - which, while standard for their announcement time, is an increasingly glaring omission today.

In terms of storage:

• Samsung uses SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, a universally accepted format providing flexibility and compatibility.
• Sony employs Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, an older, proprietary medium, limiting aftermarket options and increasing cost.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera boasts any weather sealing, dustproofing, or toughened build features. Both are designed for fair-weather casual use.

As such, these should be considered indoor or mild conditions cameras rather than rugged outdoors companions.

Putting It All Together: Performance Ratings and Genre Suitability

I’ve synthesized the empirical testing data and practical experience into these performance scores:

Breaking down scores further by photographic genres clarifies which camera fits your style better:

Portrait Photography

• Samsung HZ35W edges ahead due to face detection and manual exposure control, helping to fine-tune skin tones and background blur with aperture control.
• Sony’s simpler AF and no manual exposure limit portrait finesse.

Landscape Photography

• Both cameras lag in dynamic range and edge sharpness due to small sensors and sensor noise.
• Samsung’s longer zoom offers less impact here than good optics, so Sony's broader angle might advantage wider landscape shots.
• Neither has weather sealing.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• The Samsung’s 15× zoom surpasses Sony’s 4× zoom for distant subjects.
• Both lack continuous AF and fast burst rates, so use with caution for fast-moving subjects.

Street and Travel Photography

• Sony’s smaller size and weight benefit street photographers valuing discretion and rapid response.
• Samsung is heavier but offers more framing flexibility.
• Both have limited low-light capability.

Macro Photography

• Samsung’s 3cm minimum focus distance allows more detailed close-ups than Sony at 10cm.

Night and Astro Photography

• Limited by small sensors and no RAW support, neither camera is well-suited for demanding night or astro tasks.

Video

• Both capable of 720p HD at 30fps.
• Samsung's optical stabilization aids handheld shooting.

Professional Work

• Neither supports RAW or advanced file formats.
• Limited autofocus and control reduce usefulness for professional workflows.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Both cameras rely on fixed, built-in lenses, eliminating the concern of interchangeable lens ecosystems but limiting optical upgrade paths.

Summary Recommendations

• The Samsung HZ35W is the better choice if you want:

  • A superzoom reach (24-360mm eq.)
  • More manual control options (Ap/Sp modes, exposure compensation)
  • Face detection AF for portraits
  • Larger, higher-resolution LCD for composing and reviewing

  This makes it decent for travel, casual wildlife, and portrait photography where you need reach and a bit of creative control.

• The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 suits you if:

  • Ultra-portability and low weight are paramount
  • You want a simpler, point-and-shoot experience
  • You prefer a modest zoom for general walking-around photography
  • You’re budget conscious and okay with proprietary storage media

Closing Thoughts: Old Dogs with Distinct Personalities

While neither the Samsung HZ35W nor the Sony S980 can rival today’s mirrorless hybrids or even advanced compacts, both offer interesting propositions grounded in their design philosophy.

The HZ35W flexes its superzoom muscle and manual controls, embracing a ‘serious compact’ role from ten years ago. The Sony S980 wins for light travel and simple family snapshots, true to its clamshell compact lineage.

So, should you pick one today? If the asking price is genuinely low, these can be affordable entry points or second cameras - but expect compromises in speed, image quality, and future-proof features. For serious enthusiast use, modern cameras with APS-C sensors and enhanced autofocus will provide a leap in quality and flexibility.

Still, if you’re captivated by the idea of commanding a sturdy, feature-packed superzoom or a pocket-sized stroll camera, I hope this detailed comparison helps you make a choice grounded in what really matters behind the lens.

Samsung HZ35W screen back Sony S980 front Sony S980 screen back

By comparing real photos from both cameras in slightly varied settings, you can see the strengths and compromises of each. The Samsung sometimes shows softness at maximum zoom but captures distant detail unavailable to the Sony’s shorter lens, while the Sony images boast crisper corners but less reach.

This concludes our deep-dive comparison. I trust these insights empower you to find a camera that fits your passions and budget - after all, the best camera is the one you’ll actually use and enjoy.