Samsung NX1000 vs Sony S980

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Samsung NX1000 and Sony S980, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Samsung and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the NX1000 (20MP) and S980 (12MP) and the NX1000 (APS-C) and S980 (1/2.3") boast different sensor sizing.

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The NX1000 was announced 3 years later than the S980 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Samsung NX1000 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the NX1000 scores against the S980 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Here is a preview of the gallery images for Samsung NX1000 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The whole galleries are viewable at Samsung NX1000 Gallery and Sony S980 Gallery.

In case you're going to carry your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Samsung NX1000 offers outer dimensions of 114mm x 63mm x 37mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.5") having a weight of 222 grams (0.49 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Samsung NX1000 and Sony S980 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the NX1000 compared to the S980.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the NX1000 and S980 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Oftentimes, it is very hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizing purely by reviewing specifications. The photograph below may offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the NX1000 and S980.

To sum up, the 2 cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The NX1000 having a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field simpler and the Samsung NX1000 will offer you greater detail with its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures more aggressively. The younger NX1000 provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.