Samsung NX3000 vs Sony S980

Here, we are comparing the Samsung NX3000 and Sony S980, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Samsung and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the NX3000 (20MP) and S980 (12MP) and the NX3000 (APS-C) and S980 (1/2.3") offer different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The NX3000 was manufactured 5 years later than the S980 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Samsung NX3000 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple view of how the NX3000 grades against the S980 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Samsung NX3000 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The entire galleries are provided at Samsung NX3000 Gallery and Sony S980 Gallery.

In case you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Samsung NX3000 offers external dimensions of 117mm x 66mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.5") with a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Sony S980 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

See the Samsung NX3000 and Sony S980 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have at that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the NX3000 against the S980.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the NX3000 and S980 is 89 and 94 respectively.

More often than not, it is very tough to visualize the difference between sensor measurements simply by reading through specifications. The photograph below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the NX3000 and S980.

Plainly, each of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The NX3000 because of its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Samsung NX3000 will give you more detail due to its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more recent NX3000 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.