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Sony A3000 vs Sony S980

Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
54
Overall
59
Sony Alpha A3000 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Sony A3000 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Sony A3000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
  • Announced August 2013
  • Replacement is Sony a3500
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
  • Announced February 2009
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Sony A3000 vs Sony S980 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Sony A3000 versus Sony S980, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are created by Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the A3000 (20MP) and S980 (12MP) and the A3000 (APS-C) and S980 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The A3000 was introduced 4 years after the S980 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Sony A3000 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief view of how the A3000 scores versus the S980 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A3000 over the Sony S980

 A3000 S980 
AnnouncedAugust 2013February 2009More modern by 56 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony A3000

 S980 A3000 

Common features in the Sony A3000 and Sony S980

 A3000 S980 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Sony A3000 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and volume. The Sony A3000 offers physical dimensions of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs) and the Sony S980 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Sony A3000 versus Sony S980 in our brand new Camera plus 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 moment. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the A3000 versus the S980.

Sony A3000 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A3000 and S980 is 69 and 94 respectively.

Sony A3000 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Sony A3000 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to envision the gap in sensor sizes simply by viewing specifications. The picture below will give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3000 and S980.

To sum up, each of the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The A3000 using its larger sensor will make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Sony A3000 will provide you with extra detail using its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images way more aggressively. The newer A3000 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Sony A3000 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Sony A3000 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A3000 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A3000 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S980 as a Portrait photography camera
77
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
27
has manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony A3000
Street photography with Sony S980
57
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (411 grams)
47
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony A3000 Sports photography advice
Sony S980 Sports photography advice
60
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
good battery life (470 CIPA)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
has no phase detect auto focus
17
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A3000 Travel photography advice
Sony S980 Travel photography advice
60
good battery life (470 CIPA)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (411g)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
51
built-in flash
missing Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A3000 Landscape photography factors
Sony S980 Landscape photography factors
70
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (470 CIPA)
no image stabilization
does not have Timelapse mode
27
has manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A3000
Vlogging with Sony S980
26
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
does not have microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (411 grams)
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone socket
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Sony A3000 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A3000 and Sony S980
 Sony Alpha A3000Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A3000 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-08-27 2009-02-17
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by BIONZ image -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5456 x 3632 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 16000 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens support Sony E fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance - 10cm
Number of lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.47x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100) 3.50 m
Flash options Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync. Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD, H.264, MP4 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 411g (0.91 pounds) 167g (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 78 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1068 not tested
Other
Battery life 470 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID NP-FW50 -
Self timer Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage - Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $398 $300