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Samsung PL120 vs Sony S980

Portability
99
Imaging
37
Features
20
Overall
30
Samsung PL120 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Samsung PL120 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Samsung PL120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 0 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • ()mm (F) lens
  • n/ag - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Revealed January 2011
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
  • Introduced February 2009
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Samsung PL120 vs Sony S980 Overview

Here is a extensive analysis of the Samsung PL120 and Sony S980, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Samsung and Sony. The resolution of the PL120 (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is very similar and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The PL120 was launched 23 months later than the S980 making them a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras have different body design with the Samsung PL120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief overview of how the PL120 scores against the S980 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Samsung PL120 over the Sony S980

 PL120 S980 
IntroducedJanuary 2011February 2009Fresher by 23 months

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Samsung PL120

 S980 PL120 
Manual focus More precise focusing

Common features in the Samsung PL120 and Sony S980

 PL120 S980 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display sizing
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Samsung PL120 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera often, you'll have to think about its weight and measurements. The Samsung PL120 offers outer measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs) and the Sony S980 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

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Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the PL120 versus the S980.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the PL120 and S980 is 99 and 94 respectively.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizing just by going over technical specs. The graphic here will give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the PL120 and S980.

As you have seen, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should expect to see the Samsung PL120 to offer extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics more aggressively. The newer PL120 should have an edge in sensor tech.

Samsung PL120 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Samsung PL120 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung PL120 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung PL120
Portrait photography with Sony S980
28
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
no manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
27
focusing manually
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Samsung PL120 Street photography details
Sony S980 Street photography details
49
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
47
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung PL120
Sports photography with Sony S980
26
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
can't change focal length (()mm)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
17
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Samsung PL120 Travel photography details
Sony S980 Travel photography details
71
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
built-in flash
good max aperture (f)
no Time Lapse recording
does not feature selfie friendly screen
51
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung PL120 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S980 as a Landscape photography camera
33
good max aperture (f)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (()mm)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual mode
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
27
focusing manually
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung PL120
Vlogging with Sony S980
31
good max aperture (f)
comes with external mic jack
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone jack
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Samsung PL120 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung PL120 and Sony S980
 Samsung PL120Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung PL120 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Class Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-01-05 2009-02-17
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO - 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range () 33-132mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance - 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 2 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 3.50 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight - 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media - Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots - 1
Cost at launch $150 $300