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Samsung NX mini vs Sony S980

Portability
93
Imaging
52
Features
68
Overall
58
Samsung NX mini front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Samsung NX mini vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Samsung NX mini
(Full Review)
  • 20.5MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • 1/16000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX-M Mount
  • 196g - 110 x 62 x 23mm
  • Introduced March 2014
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
  • Introduced February 2009
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Samsung NX mini vs Sony S980 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Samsung NX mini vs Sony S980, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the NX mini (20.5MP) and S980 (12MP) and the NX mini (1") and S980 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The NX mini was released 5 years after the S980 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Samsung NX mini being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a in depth comparison, below is a simple summation of how the NX mini matches up vs the S980 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX mini over the Sony S980

 NX mini S980 
IntroducedMarch 2014February 2009Newer by 62 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Samsung NX mini

 S980 NX mini 

Common features in the Samsung NX mini and Sony S980

 NX mini S980 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Samsung NX mini vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Samsung NX mini provides exterior dimensions of 110mm x 62mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") and a weight of 196 grams (0.43 lbs) and the Sony S980 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Contrast the Samsung NX mini vs Sony S980 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the NX mini vs the S980.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the NX mini and S980 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to picture the difference in sensor dimensions just by looking through specifications. The picture underneath should offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the NX mini and S980.

Plainly, the two cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The NX mini due to its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF easier and the Samsung NX mini will render greater detail as a result of its extra 8.5 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots far more aggressively. The younger NX mini provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Samsung NX mini vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX mini vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX mini vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX mini Portrait photography info
Sony S980 Portrait photography info
71
manual focus
resolution is good (20.5 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
includes face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
27
you can focus manually
manual mode not available
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung NX mini Street photography info
Sony S980 Street photography info
81
screen tilts
sensor size is nice (1")
supports RAW formats
supports focus via touch
lighter than others (196 grams)
no image stabilization
47
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX mini Sports photography factors
Sony S980 Sports photography factors
54
max shutter speed is good (1/16,000 seconds)
resolution is good (20.5 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
better than average battery pack (650 CIPA)
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect AF
17
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX mini Travel photography factors
Sony S980 Travel photography factors
76
better than average battery pack (650 CIPA)
lighter than others (196 grams)
supports focus via touch
resolution is good (20.5 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly display
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX mini Landscape photography advice
Sony S980 Landscape photography advice
68
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Samsung NX-M mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
resolution is good (20.5MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (650 CIPA)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
27
you can focus manually
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX mini Vlogging advice
Sony S980 Vlogging advice
38
touchscreen capability
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic socket
lighter than others (196 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone socket
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Samsung NX mini vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX mini and Sony S980
 Samsung NX miniSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung NX mini Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2014-03-19 2009-02-17
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 116.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20.5 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5472 x 3648 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 160 80
RAW format
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 21 9
Lens
Lens support Samsung NX-M fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range - 10cm
Available lenses 2 -
Focal length multiplier 2.7 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT-LCD (180 degree tilt) -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/16000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 3.50 m
Flash modes Smart Flash, auto, auto + redeye reduction, fill-in, fill-in + redeye reduction, 1st curtain, 2nd curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 (all 30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 196g (0.43 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 62 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") 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
Battery life 650 photographs -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID B740 -
Self timer Yes (2-30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $530 $300