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Sony A99 II vs Sony S980

Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
92
Overall
83
Sony Alpha A99 II front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Sony A99 II vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Sony A99 II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 849g - 143 x 104 x 76mm
  • Revealed September 2016
  • Old Model is Sony A99
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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Sony A99 II vs Sony S980 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Sony A99 II versus Sony S980, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both produced by Sony. There is a large difference between the sensor resolutions of the A99 II (42MP) and S980 (12MP) and the A99 II (Full frame) and S980 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The A99 II was released 7 years later than the S980 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Sony A99 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple summary of how the A99 II scores against the S980 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A99 II over the Sony S980

 A99 II S980 
RevealedSeptember 2016February 2009More recent by 93 months
Screen typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1229k230kSharper screen (+999k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony A99 II

 S980 A99 II 

Common features in the Sony A99 II and Sony S980

 A99 II S980 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Sony A99 II vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Sony A99 II has external measurements of 143mm x 104mm x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") with a weight of 849 grams (1.87 lbs) and the Sony S980 has proportions 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 A99 II versus Sony S980 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at the time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the A99 II against the S980.

Sony A99 II vs Sony S980 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the A99 II and S980 is 57 and 94 respectively.

Sony A99 II vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Sony A99 II vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to see the contrast between sensor measurements merely by reading through specifications. The graphic underneath should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the A99 II and S980.

To sum up, both the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The A99 II because of its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Sony A99 II will resolve greater detail as a result of its extra 30MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The newer A99 II is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Sony A99 II vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Sony A99 II vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A99 II vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A99 II Portrait photography highlights
Sony S980 Portrait photography highlights
86
focusing manually
MP count amazing (42MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
27
has manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony A99 II Street photography information
Sony S980 Street photography information
76
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
very good ISO range (25,600)
47
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sony A99 II Sports photography details
Sony S980 Sports photography details
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count amazing (42 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
bad battery (490 per charge)
17
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A99 II Travel photography factors
Sony S980 Travel photography factors
70
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
MP count amazing (42MP)
selfie friendly screen
bad battery (490 shots)
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A99 II Landscape photography advice
Sony S980 Landscape photography advice
82
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count amazing (42MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
has double storage slots
bad battery (490 per charge)
27
has manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A99 II as a Vlogging camera
Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
78
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes external mic port
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic socket
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Sony A99 II vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A99 II and Sony S980
 Sony Alpha A99 IISony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha A99 II Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Class Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2016-09-19 2009-02-17
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
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 surface 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 25600 3200
Max enhanced ISO 102400 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 399 9
Cross focus points 79 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens focal range - 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance - 10cm
Amount of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 1,229k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 3.50 m
Flash options Off, auto, fill, slow sync, redeye reduction, rear sync, high-speed sync, wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 849 gr (1.87 pounds) 167 gr (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 143 x 104 x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 92 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 25.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 2317 not tested
Other
Battery life 490 photographs -
Battery type NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery & charger -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS Duo slots Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Dual 1
Launch cost $3,198 $300