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Sony A100 vs Sony S980

Portability
64
Imaging
48
Features
38
Overall
44
Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Sony A100 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Sony A100
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 638g - 133 x 95 x 71mm
  • Released July 2006
  • Earlier Model is Konica Minolta 5D
  • Replacement is Sony A550
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 A100 vs Sony S980 Overview

Here is a in depth assessment of the Sony A100 vs Sony S980, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are sold by Sony. The sensor resolution of the A100 (10MP) and the S980 (12MP) is fairly comparable but the A100 (APS-C) and S980 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The A100 was manufactured 3 years earlier than the S980 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Sony A100 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight to a complete comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the A100 scores against the S980 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony A100 over the Sony S980

 A100 S980 

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony A100

 S980 A100 
AnnouncedFebruary 2009July 2006Fresher by 31 months
Display dimensions2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Sony A100 and Sony S980

 A100 S980 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Sony A100 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Sony A100 has outer dimensions of 133mm x 95mm x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 638 grams (1.41 lbs) while the Sony S980 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Sony A100 vs Sony S980 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the A100 vs the S980.

Sony A100 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the A100 and S980 is 64 and 94 respectively.

Sony A100 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Sony A100 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to see the contrast in sensor sizing just by checking out technical specs. The photograph here might give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the A100 and S980.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The A100 featuring a larger sensor will make achieving bokeh easier and the Sony S980 will provide more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images more aggressively. The older A100 will be behind in sensor technology.

Sony A100 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Sony A100 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A100 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony A100
Portrait photography with Sony S980
52
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have liveview
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
27
has manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony A100 Street photography information
Sony S980 Street photography information
64
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
47
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony A100 Sports photography info
Sony S980 Sports photography info
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
17
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A100 as a Travel photography camera
Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
45
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
51
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A100 Landscape photography features
Sony S980 Landscape photography features
53
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
tiny screen (2.5")
does not have liveview
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
27
has manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A100 Vlogging highlights
Sony S980 Vlogging highlights
9
no video
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic jack
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Sony A100 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A100 and Sony S980
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A100Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Class Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Released 2006-07-31 2009-02-17
Body design Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3872 x 2592 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance - 10cm
Number of lenses 143 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 638g (1.41 pounds) 167g (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 133 x 95 x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 61 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 476 not tested
Other
Battery ID NP-FM55H -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $1,000 $300