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Samsung NX210 vs Sony S980

Portability
90
Imaging
62
Features
57
Overall
60
Samsung NX210 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Samsung NX210 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Samsung NX210
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 222g - 117 x 63 x 37mm
  • Launched August 2012
  • Older Model is Samsung NX200
  • Refreshed by Samsung NX300
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 NX210 vs Sony S980 Overview

Below is a extended overview of the Samsung NX210 versus Sony S980, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Samsung and Sony. There exists a huge gap between the image resolutions of the NX210 (20MP) and S980 (12MP) and the NX210 (APS-C) and S980 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The NX210 was launched 3 years later than the S980 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Samsung NX210 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the NX210 matches up versus the S980 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung NX210 over the Sony S980

 NX210 S980 
ReleasedAugust 2012February 2009More recent by 43 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution614k230kClearer display (+384k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Samsung NX210

 S980 NX210 

Common features in the Samsung NX210 and Sony S980

 NX210 S980 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Samsung NX210 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and size. The Samsung NX210 provides external dimensions of 117mm x 63mm x 37mm (4.6" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 222 grams (0.49 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

See the Samsung NX210 versus Sony S980 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the NX210 against the S980.

Samsung NX210 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the NX210 and S980 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Samsung NX210 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Samsung NX210 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its difficult to envision the contrast between sensor measurements only by reviewing technical specs. The graphic here will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the NX210 and S980.

As you have seen, both of these cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The NX210 due to its larger sensor will make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Samsung NX210 will deliver extra detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The younger NX210 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Samsung NX210 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Samsung NX210 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung NX210 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung NX210 Portrait photography information
Sony S980 Portrait photography information
77
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
exports RAW files
27
manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Samsung NX210 Street photography features
Sony S980 Street photography features
73
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than competitors (222 grams)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
47
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Samsung NX210 Sports photography features
Sony S980 Sports photography features
56
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect AF
17
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung NX210 Travel photography information
Sony S980 Travel photography information
68
lighter than competitors (222 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
no Timelapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung NX210 Landscape photography advice
Sony S980 Landscape photography advice
71
has manual focus
swap lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
no Timelapse mode
27
manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung NX210 as a Vlogging camera
Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
34
provides face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (222 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
no external microphone socket
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone jack
Photography Glossary

Samsung NX210 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung NX210 and Sony S980
 Samsung NX210Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung NX210 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-08-14 2009-02-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5472 x 3648 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 15 9
Lens
Lens support Samsung NX fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 33-132mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range - 10cm
Total lenses 32 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 614 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech Active Matrix OLED screen -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 8.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 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
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1920 x 810 (24 fps) 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 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 222 gr (0.49 pounds) 167 gr (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 117 x 63 x 37mm (4.6" x 2.5" x 1.5") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 71 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 719 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 shots -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID BC1030 -
Self timer Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $625 $300