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Samsung ST600 vs Sony S980

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
40
Overall
37
Samsung ST600 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Samsung ST600 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Samsung ST600
(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
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
  • Released February 2009
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Samsung ST600 over the Sony S980

 ST600 S980 
ReleasedJanuary 2010February 2009Newer by 11 months
Screen dimensions3.5"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.8")
Screen resolution1152k230kCrisper 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Samsung ST600 vs Sony S980 size comparison

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

Samsung ST600 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Samsung ST600 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung ST600 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung ST600 Portrait photography details
Sony S980 Portrait photography details
29
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
27
has manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Samsung ST600 Street photography highlights
Sony S980 Street photography highlights
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports touch focus
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
more heavy than competition (150 grams)
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Samsung ST600 Sports photography information
Sony S980 Sports photography information
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
17
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Samsung ST600 Travel photography info
Sony S980 Travel photography info
65
supports touch focus
decent megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (27mm)
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (150g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Samsung ST600 Landscape photography info
Sony S980 Landscape photography info
43
pretty wide (27mm)
big screen (3.5 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
27
has manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung ST600 Vlogging factors
Sony S980 Vlogging factors
30
pretty wide (27mm)
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone support
more heavy than competition (150g)
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
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Samsung ST600 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung ST600 and Sony S980
 Samsung ST600Sony 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