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Sony A700 vs Sony S980

Portability
58
Imaging
51
Features
58
Overall
53
Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Sony A700 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Sony A700
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 768g - 142 x 105 x 80mm
  • Introduced December 2007
  • Old Model is Konica Minolta 7D
  • Later Model is Sony A77
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
  • Announced February 2009
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Sony A700 vs Sony S980 Overview

The following is a in-depth analysis of the Sony A700 vs Sony S980, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are sold by Sony. The resolution of the A700 (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is relatively similar but the A700 (APS-C) and S980 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor size.

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The A700 was unveiled 14 months before the S980 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both cameras have different body design with the Sony A700 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short summation of how the A700 scores vs the S980 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony A700 over the Sony S980

 A700 S980 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony A700

 S980 A700 
AnnouncedFebruary 2009December 2007Newer by 14 months

Common features in the Sony A700 and Sony S980

 A700 S980 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Sony A700 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Sony A700 comes with exterior dimensions of 142mm x 105mm x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1") with a weight of 768 grams (1.69 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Examine the Sony A700 vs Sony S980 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the A700 compared to the S980.

Sony A700 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A700 and S980 is 58 and 94 respectively.

Sony A700 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Sony A700 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's hard to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reading specifications. The image underneath should give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A700 and S980.

Plainly, both of those cameras provide the same megapixels albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The A700 has got the bigger sensor which should make achieving bokeh less difficult. The more aged A700 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony A700 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Sony A700 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A700 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A700 Portrait photography features
Sony S980 Portrait photography features
54
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview
sensor resolution low (12MP)
27
has manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony A700 Street photography highlights
Sony S980 Street photography highlights
64
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proof
screen does not articulate
47
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony A700 Sports photography info
Sony S980 Sports photography info
56
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
weather proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
17
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A700 Travel photography information
Sony S980 Travel photography information
49
weather proof
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A700 Landscape photography details
Sony S980 Landscape photography details
62
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proof
has dual storage slots
no liveview
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
27
has manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A700 Vlogging info
Sony S980 Vlogging info
9
no video recording
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic port
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Sony A700 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A700 and Sony S980
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A700Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Class Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2007-12-19 2009-02-17
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4272 x 2848 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 9
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 range - 10cm
Available lenses 143 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.6x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, rear curtain, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 768 grams (1.69 pounds) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 142 x 105 x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 66 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.9 not tested
DXO Low light score 581 not tested
Other
Battery model NP-FM500H -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Dual 1
Retail price $1,000 $300