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Sony A300 vs Sony S980

Portability
64
Imaging
49
Features
45
Overall
47
Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Sony A300 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Sony A300
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
  • Revealed January 2008
  • Replacement is Sony A330
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 A300 vs Sony S980 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Sony A300 vs Sony S980, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are created by Sony. The sensor resolution of the A300 (10MP) and the S980 (12MP) is very well matched but the A300 (APS-C) and S980 (1/2.3") have different sensor dimensions.

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The A300 was launched 12 months prior to the S980 so they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras have different body design with the Sony A300 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a more detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the A300 scores against the S980 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A300 over the Sony S980

 A300 S980 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony A300

 S980 A300 
AnnouncedFebruary 2009January 2008More recent by 12 months

Common features in the Sony A300 and Sony S980

 A300 S980 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display sizing
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Sony A300 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and volume. The Sony A300 comes with outer measurements of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs) while the Sony S980 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Sony A300 vs Sony S980 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at the time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the A300 compared to the S980.

Sony A300 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the A300 and S980 is 64 and 94 respectively.

Sony A300 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Sony A300 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to imagine the gap between sensor measurements simply by checking a spec sheet. The visual below will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the A300 and S980.

Clearly, both cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The A300 featuring a larger sensor is going to make getting bokeh less difficult and the Sony S980 will give you extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos more aggressively. The older A300 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony A300 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Sony A300 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A300 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A300 Portrait photography details
Sony S980 Portrait photography details
59
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
low MP (10MP)
27
has manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony A300 as a Street photography camera
Sony S980 as a Street photography camera
74
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
47
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sony A300 as a Sports photography camera
Sony S980 as a Sports photography camera
54
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
low MP (10 megapixels)
17
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A300
Travel photography with Sony S980
45
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
low MP (10MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
51
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
low MP (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A300 Landscape photography highlights
Sony S980 Landscape photography highlights
57
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
small screen (2.7")
low MP (10MP)
lack of Time Lapse function
27
has manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A300 Vlogging factors
Sony S980 Vlogging factors
9
can't shoot video
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic support
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Sony A300 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A300 and Sony S980
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A300Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Class Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2008-01-30 2009-02-17
Physical type 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 surface area 372.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3872 x 2592 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support Sony/Minolta Alpha fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance - 10cm
Amount of lenses 143 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.49x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 2 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 632 grams (1.39 lbs) 167 grams (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 64 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 538 not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $0 $300