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Samsung NX11 vs Sony S980

Portability
80
Imaging
55
Features
50
Overall
53
Samsung NX11 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Samsung NX11 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Samsung NX11
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 499g - 123 x 87 x 40mm
  • Released December 2010
  • Older Model is Samsung NX10
  • Later Model is Samsung NX20
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
  • Launched February 2009
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Samsung NX11 vs Sony S980 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Samsung NX11 and Sony S980, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Samsung and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the NX11 (15MP) and S980 (12MP) and the NX11 (APS-C) and S980 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The NX11 was manufactured 23 months after the S980 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Samsung NX11 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a thorough comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the NX11 matches up against the S980 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX11 over the Sony S980

 NX11 S980 
LaunchedDecember 2010February 2009More modern by 23 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution614k230kCrisper screen (+384k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Samsung NX11

 S980 NX11 

Common features in the Samsung NX11 and Sony S980

 NX11 S980 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Samsung NX11 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Samsung NX11 offers external dimensions of 123mm x 87mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6") and a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs) and the Sony S980 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Samsung NX11 and Sony S980 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use at that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the NX11 against the S980.

Samsung NX11 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the NX11 and S980 is 80 and 94 respectively.

Samsung NX11 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX11 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its difficult to see the difference in sensor sizes purely by viewing specifications. The pic here might give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the NX11 and S980.

Plainly, both of those cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The NX11 because of its bigger sensor will make getting shallower DOF easier and the Samsung NX11 will provide you with extra detail due to its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The younger NX11 will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Samsung NX11 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX11 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX11 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX11 Portrait photography factors
Sony S980 Portrait photography factors
73
you can focus manually
good resolution (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW files
27
you can focus manually
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Samsung NX11
Street photography with Sony S980
60
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
no image stabilization
heavier than average (499g)
47
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung NX11
Sports photography with Sony S980
52
good resolution (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery life (400 per charge)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
17
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX11 Travel photography factors
Sony S980 Travel photography factors
63
better than average battery life (400 shots)
good resolution (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than average (499g)
display isn't selfie friendly
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX11 Landscape photography factors
Sony S980 Landscape photography factors
68
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Samsung NX mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
good resolution (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (400 CIPA)
no image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse recording
27
you can focus manually
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung NX11
Vlogging with Sony S980
24
provides face detect focus
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic jack
heavier than average (499 grams)
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Samsung NX11 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX11 and Sony S980
 Samsung NX11Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung NX11 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2010-12-28 2009-02-17
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by DRIM Engine -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4592 x 3056 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 15 9
Lens
Lens support Samsung NX fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance - 10cm
Number of lenses 32 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 614k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology Active Matrix OLED screen -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 11.00 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format H.264 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 Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 499g (1.10 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 123 x 87 x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 63 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 553 not tested
Other
Battery life 400 shots -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID BP1130 -
Self timer Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $626 $300