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Sony G3 vs Sony S980

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Sony G3 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Sony G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2009
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
  • Released February 2009
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Sony G3 vs Sony S980 Overview

Here is a in-depth analysis of the Sony G3 and Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and they are both offered by Sony. The sensor resolution of the G3 (10MP) and the S980 (12MP) is pretty well matched and they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The G3 was released within a month of the S980 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a full comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the G3 matches up vs the S980 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Sony S980

 G3 S980 
Screen sizing3.5"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.8")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony G3

 S980 G3 

Common features in the Sony G3 and Sony S980

 G3 S980 
ReleasedJanuary 2009February 2009Similar age
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Sony G3 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera often, you should take into account its weight and size. The Sony G3 comes with exterior measurements of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) whilst 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).

Take a look at the Sony G3 and Sony S980 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the G3 and the S980.

Sony G3 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the G3 and S980 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Sony G3 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Sony G3 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to visualise the gap between sensor sizing simply by reading through technical specs. The photograph here will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the G3 and S980.

As you have seen, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Sony S980 to resolve greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots far more aggressively.

Sony G3 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Sony G3 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony G3 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony G3 Portrait photography highlights
Sony S980 Portrait photography highlights
26
manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
27
manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony G3 as a Street photography camera
Sony S980 as a Street photography camera
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sony G3 as a Sports photography camera
Sony S980 as a Sports photography camera
23
image stabilization (Optical)
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,000 seconds)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
17
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Sony G3 Travel photography highlights
Sony S980 Travel photography highlights
50
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
51
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony G3 Landscape photography highlights
Sony S980 Landscape photography highlights
36
manual focus
very good size screen (3.5 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
27
manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony G3 Vlogging highlights
Sony S980 Vlogging highlights
27
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have microphone jack
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic port
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Sony G3 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony G3 and Sony S980
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-01-08 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-10.0 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range - 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.5 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 1 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.30 m (Auto ISO) 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG 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 185g (0.41 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $200 $300