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Sony NEX-3 vs Sony S980

Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Sony NEX-3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Successor is Sony NEX-C3
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 NEX-3 vs Sony S980 Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Sony NEX-3 versus Sony S980, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both built by Sony. The image resolution of the NEX-3 (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is relatively well matched but the NEX-3 (APS-C) and S980 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor measurements.

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The NEX-3 was released 16 months later than the S980 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both cameras offer different body type with the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise summation of how the NEX-3 scores vs the S980 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Sony S980

 NEX-3 S980 
AnnouncedJune 2010February 2009Fresher by 16 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony NEX-3

 S980 NEX-3 

Common features in the Sony NEX-3 and Sony S980

 NEX-3 S980 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Sony NEX-3 comes with physical dimensions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Sony NEX-3 versus Sony S980 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the NEX-3 against the S980.

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the NEX-3 and S980 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to see the difference between sensor sizing merely by checking specs. The visual below will give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the NEX-3 and S980.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The NEX-3 featuring a bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Sony NEX-3 will resolve greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The newer NEX-3 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony NEX-3 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony NEX-3
Portrait photography with Sony S980
72
manual focus
megapixel count decent (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW files
27
has manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Street photography information
Sony S980 Street photography information
76
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
47
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony NEX-3 as a Sports photography camera
Sony S980 as a Sports photography camera
52
megapixel count decent (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
17
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Travel photography advice
Sony S980 Travel photography advice
59
megapixel count decent (14MP)
lack of Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony NEX-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S980 as a Landscape photography camera
68
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3")
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
lack of Timelapse recording
27
has manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony NEX-3 Vlogging features
Sony S980 Vlogging features
27
comes with face detection focusing
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone socket
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone socket
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Sony NEX-3 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony NEX-3 and Sony S980
 Sony Alpha NEX-3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha NEX-3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-06-07 2009-02-17
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.4 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4592 x 3056 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 200 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens support Sony E fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 33-132mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range - 10cm
Available lenses 121 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT Xtra Fine LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 297 grams (0.65 lbs) 167 grams (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 68 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 830 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NPFW50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $0 $300