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Samsung WB800F vs Sony S980

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
51
Overall
44
Samsung WB800F front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Samsung WB800F vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Samsung WB800F
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 218g - 111 x 65 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2013
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
  • Revealed February 2009
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Samsung WB800F vs Sony S980 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Samsung WB800F vs Sony S980, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Samsung and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the WB800F (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The WB800F was manufactured 3 years later than the S980 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick view of how the WB800F matches up versus the S980 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Samsung WB800F over the Sony S980

 WB800F S980 
RevealedJanuary 2013February 2009More recent by 48 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Samsung WB800F

 S980 WB800F 

Common features in the Samsung WB800F and Sony S980

 WB800F S980 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Samsung WB800F vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Samsung WB800F provides exterior measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 22mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) and the Sony S980 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check the Samsung WB800F vs Sony S980 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the WB800F compared to the S980.

Samsung WB800F vs Sony S980 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the WB800F and S980 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Samsung WB800F vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Samsung WB800F vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to visualize the gap between sensor measurements merely by reading specs. The visual here will give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the WB800F and S980.

All in all, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can expect the Samsung WB800F to offer you more detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The younger WB800F should have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Samsung WB800F vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Samsung WB800F vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung WB800F vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung WB800F Portrait photography details
Sony S980 Portrait photography details
44
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
provides face detection focusing
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
27
focusing manually
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Samsung WB800F Street photography advice
Sony S980 Street photography advice
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (218 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
47
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Samsung WB800F
Sports photography with Sony S980
53
incredible zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
17
low fps (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Samsung WB800F
Travel photography with Sony S980
69
lighter than others in class (218 grams)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (23mm)
long zoom (483mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung WB800F Landscape photography advice
Sony S980 Landscape photography advice
50
has manual focus
fairly wide (23mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
27
focusing manually
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung WB800F as a Vlogging camera
Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
35
fairly wide (23mm)
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (218 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly display
doesn't have external mic socket
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone port
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Samsung WB800F vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung WB800F and Sony S980
 Samsung WB800FSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model Samsung WB800F Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-01-07 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 23-483mm (21.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range - 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 16 secs 2 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed - 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 3.50 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 218 gr (0.48 pounds) 167 gr (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 65 x 22mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 0.9") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $300 $300