Samsung ST600 vs Sony S980
95 Imaging
36 Features
40 Overall
37


94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Samsung ST600 vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 4800 (Increase to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 27-135mm (F3.3-5.5) lens
- 150g - 104 x 60 x 20mm
- Launched January 2010
(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
- Released February 2009

Samsung ST600 vs Sony S980 Overview
The following is a detailed overview of the Samsung ST600 vs Sony S980, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. The image resolution of the ST600 (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is pretty close and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The ST600 was announced 11 months after the S980 and they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Samsung ST600 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.
Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the ST600 matches up vs the S980 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Samsung ST600 vs Sony S980 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Samsung ST600 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The whole galleries are viewable at Samsung ST600 Gallery & Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Samsung ST600 over the Sony S980
ST600 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2010 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 11 months |
Screen dimensions | 3.5" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.8") |
Screen resolution | 1152k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+922k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Samsung ST600
S980 | ST600 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focus |
Common features in the Samsung ST600 and Sony S980
ST600 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen |
Samsung ST600 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Samsung ST600 has physical dimensions of 104mm x 60mm x 20mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 0.8") along with a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) while the Sony S980 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Check the Samsung ST600 vs Sony S980 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select during that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the ST600 against the S980.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ST600 and S980 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Samsung ST600 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's difficult to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions simply by viewing specifications. The picture underneath may provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ST600 and S980.
To sum up, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can expect the Samsung ST600 to provide you with greater detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The fresher ST600 provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Samsung ST600 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Samsung ST600 vs Sony S980 Specifications
Samsung ST600 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Samsung | Sony |
Model type | Samsung ST600 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
Class | Ultracompact | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2010-01-06 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14MP | 12MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 4800 | 3200 |
Max enhanced ISO | 6400 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 27-135mm (5.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.3-5.5 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focusing distance | 5cm | 10cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3.5" | 2.7" |
Resolution of display | 1,152 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8 seconds | 2 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1500 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | - | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m | 3.50 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | 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 | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 150 grams (0.33 lb) | 167 grams (0.37 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 104 x 60 x 20mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 0.8") | 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | ||
Battery ID | SLB07 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double, Motion) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | MicroSD/ MicroSDHC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail pricing | $330 | $300 |