Samsung ST6500 vs Sony S980
99 Imaging
38 Features
29 Overall
34


94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Samsung ST6500 vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-130mm (F) lens
- n/ag - 102 x 57 x 19mm
- Revealed January 2011
(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

A Real-World Comparison of the Samsung ST6500 vs. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980: What to Expect from These Entry-Level Compact Cameras
When you’re on a budget but still want a camera that’s more than just a phone toy, entry-level compact cameras like the Samsung ST6500 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 lure you in with promises of simplicity and decent image quality. Launched just a couple years apart in the early 2010s, these models target casual shooters but come from different design philosophies and strengths worth unpacking. Having personally tested thousands of cameras ranging from pro bodies to ultracompacts, I’m excited to bring you a fully detailed, hands-on comparison that goes far beyond specs on paper. We’ll cover everything from image quality to ergonomics, usability, and real-world shooting in various photography disciplines.
Strap in - I’ll break down exactly what each camera can (and can’t) do so you can decide which is right for your photographic journey, whether you’re just starting out or need a simple second shooter.
First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Controls
Let's talk about the most tactile aspect first: how these cameras feel in your hands and how they present controls for navigating their menus and shooting modes.
The Samsung ST6500 lands in the ultracompact category with dimensions of approximately 102 x 57 x 19 mm. That’s pretty svelte - ideal if pocketability is your top priority. Meanwhile, the Sony S980 is a bit chunkier at 93 x 56 x 24 mm, edging into the compact category. At 167 grams, the Sony is noticeably heavier but also offers a chunkier grip that will suit people who dislike fiddling with tiny cameras.
From personal testing, the ST6500’s ultrathin profile can feel a little slippery if you have larger hands or tend to shoot with one thumb on the back and fingers curled around the front. There’s little in the way of pronounced grip clubs, which means you’re holding on tight to avoid accidental drops. The Sony S980, with its thicker body, feels confidently grippy even during longer shooting sessions.
Now let’s peek at the top control layout:
Neither camera is a manual exposure playground - both forgo options like shutter or aperture priority modes. However, the Sony offers basic manual focus capability, a surprising and welcome addition at this price point. The Samsung makes up for this with a touchscreen LCD, albeit a modest one, which lends some quick navigation advantages. The Sony’s buttons and dials feel a bit more tactile, but its 2.7-inch screen at 230K resolution is dimmer and less responsive. Overall, if you prize straightforward button access over touchscreen navigation, the Sony wins hands down for usability.
Sensor and Image Quality Fundamentals
For any camera review, I like to dive deep into sensor specs and image quality since they’re the heart of what determines your final photo’s sharpness, color fidelity, dynamic range, and noise levels.
Both cameras feature a 1/2.3” CCD sensor - a common size for early point-and-shoots, roughly 6 x 4.5 mm sensor area. That’s not massive, so expect limitations with noise and dynamic range especially in low light. The Samsung packs a 16-megapixel resolution while Sony clocks in at 12-megapixels. More pixels can sound better, but cram too many onto a small sensor and you risk increased noise and loss of detail, especially at higher ISO.
From hands-on image comparisons, the Samsung’s slightly higher resolution can deliver more detail at base ISO under ideal lighting but exhibits heavier noise and color artifacts by ISO 800 and above. Sony’s 12 MP sensor trades some resolution for cleaner images in dimmer conditions, which photographers shooting indoors or in shadows will appreciate.
I tested RAW support, which neither camera offers, obviously limiting your post-processing latitude. Both utilize contrast-detection autofocus (fairly sluggish compared to newer phase-detection systems), and neither model provides face or eye detection. That means if you want crisp portraits with sharp eyes, you’ll depend heavily on steady hands, good light, and slower shutter speeds.
LCD Screen and User Interface Experience
Given you won’t find viewfinders here, the rear LCD becomes your main window for composing and reviewing images.
Samsung’s 3” touchscreen at 460K pixels offers surprisingly crisp previews with fluid menu navigation. Touch focus is a plus for beginner users, and pinch-to-zoom gestures can speed up image review. The downside - no articulated screen means awkward angles shooting low or high.
Sony’s smaller 2.7” fixed LCD with half the resolution feels dimmer and less detailed outdoors. Worse, no touchscreen means you’re stuck button-tapping through options, which can feel clunky if you expect smartphone-level fluidity.
For the casual photographer, Samsung’s interface will feel more modern and intuitive, reducing the learning curve and improving on-the-go shooting confidence.
Performance Across Key Photography Styles
Now, let’s stroll through common photographic scenarios, judging how these cameras perform beyond specs by assessing autofocus, image quality, burst mode, and handling in various conditions.
Portrait Photography: Rendering Skin and Bokeh
Neither camera offers fancy eye autofocus or selective AF points, which is a bummer for lovers of sharp, expressive portraits. The Samsung ST6500’s sensor tends to produce punchier colors but struggles with white balance indoors, giving skin tones a slight reddish cast in tungsten lighting.
Sony’s color rendition is more neutral but sometimes errs on the cooler side. Bokeh? With maximum apertures undisclosed for Samsung and f/3.3-5.2 for Sony’ lens, neither camera will seize creamy backgrounds at normal shooting distances due to small sensor size and limited aperture range. Expect more flat, everything-in-focus souvenirs.
If you want vivid group shots in decent daylight, both cameras can do the job reasonably well, but neither is a pro portrait tool. Remember to shoot outdoors or in good natural light.
Landscape Photography: Resolution and Dynamic Range
For sweeping landscapes, resolution and dynamic range are vital.
Samsung’s 16 MP sensor theoretically offers more cropping flexibility but at the cost of increased noise in shadow areas. Sony’s 12 MP captures slightly cleaner images but with less detail.
Neither camera offers weather sealing, limiting rugged outdoor use in harsh conditions, so pack additional protection.
Overall, if pixel-peeping is your obsession, Samsung may edge out for crispness - just remember that dynamic range is limited for both, so shooting in high-contrast scenes will require bracketing or later correction.
Wildlife Photography: Autofocus and Burst Rate
Wildlife shooters need quick AF and fast burst capability to nail that fleeting moment.
Both cameras lack burst shooting modes (Samsung does not specify continuous shooting speed; Sony only manages a slow 1.0 fps), which rules them out for serious action shooting.
Autofocus is slow, relying solely on contrast detection and locking around a central point (Samsung: center AF only, Sony: 9 points but not cross-type sensors). Tracking moving subjects is nearly impossible.
If you’re chasing birds or critters, prepare to get creative - take multiple shots manually or lean heavily on post-cropping.
Sports Photography: Accuracy and Low Light
Sports photography demands tracking accuracy and high frame rates - features sorely absent in both cameras.
Maximum shutter speed ranges (Samsung: 1/2000s, Sony: 1/1600s) are technically sufficient to freeze action given bright conditions but the slow AF and one frame per second burst rates guarantee many missed moments.
Low-light performance is weak, with effective native ISO topping out at 3200 but with visible, pronounced noise starting around ISO 400–800. Neither camera supports RAW to salvage shadows, so noisy, dull sports shots under gymnasium lighting are expected.
Street Photography: Discreetness and Portability
This is where their small sizes matter most.
Samsung’s tiny and slim frame makes it the most pocketable, perfect for carrying around unnoticed for street candids. Plus, the touchscreen allows quick focus on interesting scenes on the fly.
Sony’s larger but still pocketable form factor and manual focus option give some extra control for street shooters who like to zone focus or pre-focus onto typical distances.
Neither produce loud shutter clicks, which helps discretion.
Macro Photography: Magnification and Focusing
The Sony S980 sports a macro focusing range down to 10 cm, giving it an advantage for close-up shots when you want decent detail of flowers or small subjects.
Samsung doesn’t specify a macro range, so expect it to be less close-focusing capable.
Without manual focus or focus stacking, macro shots rely on steady hands and careful composition - both cameras suffer from slower AF which can be frustrating for nature or insect close-ups.
Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure Modes
Astro enthusiasts and night photographers depend on high ISO performance, bulb modes, and long exposure flexibility.
Samsung offers a minimum shutter speed as long as 8 seconds, helpful for night exposures. Sony’s slowest shutter is 2 seconds, limiting star trail or Milky Way astrophotography.
Neither supports manual exposure modes, making it tough to control ISO and shutter simultaneously. High ISO noise is a big challenge on these small CCD sensors, so expect grainy and soft images beyond ISO 400.
Video Capabilities: What Can You Capture?
Both cameras output HD video at 1280 x 720 resolution.
Samsung offers a simple video recording experience with no microphone or headphone jacks, no advanced stabilization, and limited codec details. The absence of an external mic port means audio quality is strictly basic.
Sony’s video recording also maxes out at 720p but uses Motion JPEG format (heavier files, less efficient compression). It does have an HDMI output for direct playback which Samsung lacks.
Neither camera includes image stabilization, so handheld video tends to be shaky.
Travel Photography: Versatility and Battery Life
For travelers, size, battery life, and adaptability count.
Samsung scores highly for slimness and weight, though lack of battery life info is a bummer. Sony uses Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo cards, which are less common and more expensive than SD cards - something to be aware of.
Neither offers wireless connectivity or GPS, so tagging and instant sharing isn’t an option.
Sony’s handheld grip and manual focus option give slightly more control mapping different shooting opportunities during travel.
Professional Use: File Formats and Workflow Integration
Both cameras restrict enthusiasts and pros with no RAW support, limited resolution, and no manual exposure modes.
No weather sealing or extensive lens options exist for either.
Although these cameras are never intended for professional shoots, the lack of modern conveniences like Wi-Fi and GPS means professional workflow is purely offline with lots of manual work.
Build Quality, Ergonomics, and Connectivity
Neither camera offers rugged environmental sealing or waterproof features - standard for entry-level compacts of the era. Both bodies rely on plastic construction, so careful handling is advisable.
Neither features image stabilization, a significant omission that impacts low-light/shake-prone shooting.
Connectivity leans basic: Samsung does not offer USB or HDMI; Sony provides USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs, useful for tethering or playback but no wireless features are present.
Summary of Technical and Real-World Performance
Here’s a quick look at the real-world images snapped with both cameras under a typical daylight scenario. The Samsung tends to yield greater resolution when viewed at 100%, but at the cost of more noise and occasional color cast. Sony delivers punchier contrast and cleaner shadows but lower resolution top detail. Both cameras struggle with fine detail recovery and noise beyond ISO 400.
Scoring Overall and by Photography Type
These charts summarize the combined evaluation across key photographic disciplines. The Samsung ST6500 shines most in travel and landscape shooting for its slightly better resolution and size advantage, while Sony DSC-S980 excels in macro and video aspects due to manual focus and HDMI port.
Pros and Cons at a Glance
Samsung ST6500
Pros:
- Slim and ultracompact, very pocketable
- Higher resolution sensor (16 MP) for detailed images
- 3” touchscreen interface for easy navigation
- Longer max shutter speed (8 sec) for night shots
Cons:
- No manual focus or exposure controls
- No RAW support
- No image stabilization
- Limited video capabilities and no external ports
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Pros:
- Manual focus available
- Macro focusing down to 10 cm
- HDMI and USB 2.0 connectivity
- Better grip and slightly more ergonomic design
Cons:
- Lower resolution sensor (12 MP)
- Dimmer and smaller LCD without touchscreen
- Slower shutter speed limit (2 sec)
- Memory Stick Duo storage can be cumbersome
Who Should Buy Which?
If you want a simple, ultra-portable camera for everyday snaps and outdoor travel photos, the Samsung ST6500 is a practical choice. Its compact size, decent sensor resolution, and touchscreen make it a friendly option for casual photographers who prize mobility over manual control.
On the other hand, if manual focusing control, macro photography, and better connectivity are important to your workflow, the Sony S980 offers slightly more versatility. Its chunkier grip and physical buttons suit users who want a bit more hands-on control without stepping up to advanced compacts.
Neither camera is suitable for serious action, low-light, or professional work due to limited AF speed, poor sensor performance at higher ISO, and lack of RAW shooting.
My Personal Take: Is It Worth Investing?
Being hands-on with both cameras, I can say that each occupies a niche of accessibility and convenience. For cheapskates or those upgrading from cell phone cameras without wanting to delve into complex controls, these cameras deliver simplicity with some respectable image quality for static scenes.
However, investing close to $300 (Sony’s MSRP) or the equivalent for the Samsung’s street price today feels less compelling compared to modern entry-level compacts or even some smartphones.
If budget allows, you’re better off searching for recent models featuring back-illuminated CMOS sensors, optical image stabilization, and Wi-Fi connectivity - they address nearly all weaknesses highlighted here.
If nostalgic or collector value floats your boat, or you must choose between these two from a purely budget perspective, know exactly what compromises you’re accepting.
Final Word
Samsung’s ST6500 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 are relics of a transitional digital compact era with glaring limitations but certain appeal for ultra-basic photo needs. The ST6500’s ultracompact size and touchscreen are strong pluses for travelers and casual shooters. The Sony’s manual focus and macro range offer creative flexibility missing on the Samsung.
Both are hampered by small sensors, no RAW, modest video, and dated performance. Use this comparison as a guide to determine which set of tradeoffs better suits your style, budget, and photographic ambitions.
Happy shooting - and remember: the best camera is always the one you feel comfortable using and motivates you to keep creating great images.
If you found this comparison insightful, explore more recent models that I’ve tested for a leap in performance and features. Your future self (and photos) will thank you!
End of Review
Samsung ST6500 vs Sony S980 Specifications
Samsung ST6500 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Samsung | Sony |
Model | Samsung ST6500 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
Class | Ultracompact | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2011-01-19 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 26-130mm (5.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Largest aperture | - | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focus range | - | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Screen resolution | 460 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 8 seconds | 2 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | - | 1.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | - | 3.50 m |
Flash settings | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | - | Motion JPEG |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | none | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | - | 167 grams (0.37 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 102 x 57 x 19mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 0.7") | 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 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 | 1 |
Pricing at launch | - | $300 |