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Sony H20 vs Sony S980

Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
29
Overall
31
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Sony H20 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Sony H20
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 38-380mm (F3.5-4.4) lens
  • 250g - 107 x 69 x 47mm
  • Revealed May 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
  • Revealed February 2009
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Sony H20 vs Sony S980 Overview

Below is a comprehensive review of the Sony H20 vs Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and they are both sold by Sony. The image resolution of the H20 (10MP) and the S980 (12MP) is pretty similar and both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The H20 was manufactured 3 months later than the S980 so they are both of a similar age. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short introduction of how the H20 matches up vs the S980 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony H20 over the Sony S980

 H20 S980 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony H20

 S980 H20 

Common features in the Sony H20 and Sony S980

 H20 S980 
RevealedMay 2009February 2009Similar age
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Sony H20 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and measurements. The Sony H20 offers outer dimensions of 107mm x 69mm x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9") along with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Sony S980 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony H20 vs Sony S980 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the H20 vs the S980.

Sony H20 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the H20 and S980 is 87 and 94 respectively.

Sony H20 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Sony H20 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to imagine the gap between sensor measurements only by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph here may offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the H20 and S980.

Clearly, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Sony S980 to offer you greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures a bit more aggressively.

Sony H20 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Sony H20 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony H20 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony H20 Portrait photography features
Sony S980 Portrait photography features
27
has manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
27
you can focus manually
no manual control
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony H20 Street photography factors
Sony S980 Street photography factors
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than competition (250g)
47
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sony H20 Sports photography factors
Sony S980 Sports photography factors
26
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
17
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony H20 Travel photography details
Sony S980 Travel photography details
51
flash built-in
great zoom (380mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (250g)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony H20 Landscape photography highlights
Sony S980 Landscape photography highlights
36
has manual focus
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
27
you can focus manually
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Sony H20 as a Vlogging camera
Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
23
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic port
heavier than competition (250 grams)
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic jack
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Sony H20 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony H20 and Sony S980
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-05-14 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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 38-380mm (10.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-4.4 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 2cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.10 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain 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
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 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 250g (0.55 pounds) 167g (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 107 x 69 x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID NP-BG1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at release $249 $300