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Sony A7R III vs Sony S980

Portability
63
Imaging
78
Features
93
Overall
84
Sony Alpha A7R III front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Sony A7R III vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Sony A7R III
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 657g - 127 x 96 x 74mm
  • Introduced October 2017
  • Old Model is Sony A7R II
  • Refreshed by Sony A7R IV
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
  • Launched February 2009
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Sony A7R III vs Sony S980 Overview

Let's look closer at the Sony A7R III vs Sony S980, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both are offered by Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the A7R III (42MP) and S980 (12MP) and the A7R III (Full frame) and S980 (1/2.3") come with different sensor measurements.

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The A7R III was released 8 years after the S980 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Sony A7R III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short summation of how the A7R III grades versus the S980 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony A7R III over the Sony S980

 A7R III S980 
LaunchedOctober 2017February 2009More modern by 106 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1440k230kSharper display (+1210k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony A7R III

 S980 A7R III 

Common features in the Sony A7R III and Sony S980

 A7R III S980 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Sony A7R III vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Sony A7R III has got physical measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 657 grams (1.45 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Sony A7R III vs Sony S980 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the A7R III vs the S980.

Sony A7R III vs Sony S980 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A7R III and S980 is 63 and 94 respectively.

Sony A7R III vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Sony A7R III vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to picture the difference in sensor sizes simply by going through technical specs. The image underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the A7R III and S980.

As you can tell, both of those cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The A7R III featuring a larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Sony A7R III will produce greater detail as a result of its extra 30MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The fresher A7R III should have an edge in sensor innovation.

Sony A7R III vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Sony A7R III vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7R III vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A7R III
Portrait photography with Sony S980
86
has manual focus
great MP (42MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
27
has manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony A7R III Street photography details
Sony S980 Street photography details
79
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
supports focus via touch
weather proof
good ISO range (32,000)
47
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7R III as a Sports photography camera
Sony S980 as a Sports photography camera
89
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great MP (42 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking focus
weather proof
better than average battery (650 per charge)
supports phase detect AF
17
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A7R III Travel photography highlights
Sony S980 Travel photography highlights
74
better than average battery (650 shots)
weather proof
has bluetooth
supports focus via touch
great MP (42 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse recording
low MP (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A7R III Landscape photography advice
Sony S980 Landscape photography advice
87
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great MP (42 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
good ISO range (32,000)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
better than average battery (650 per charge)
has dual storage slots
27
has manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A7R III
Vlogging with Sony S980
37
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focusing
good video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with microphone jack
doesn't have selfie friendly display
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic jack
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Sony A7R III vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7R III and Sony S980
 Sony Alpha A7R IIISony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha A7R III Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2017-10-25 2009-02-17
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Bionz X -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 42 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 7952 x 5304 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 32000 3200
Max enhanced ISO 102400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 425 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony E fixed lens
Lens focal range - 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range - 10cm
Total lenses 121 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 1,440k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,686k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 3.50 m
Flash options Off, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 657 gr (1.45 pounds) 167 gr (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 100 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 26.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 14.7 not tested
DXO Low light score 3523 not tested
Other
Battery life 650 photographs -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-FZ100 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Two SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II support on one) Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Two One
Price at release $2,800 $300