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Sony H50 vs Sony S980

Portability
69
Imaging
32
Features
25
Overall
29
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Sony H50 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Sony H50
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-465mm (F2.7-4.5) lens
  • 547g - 116 x 81 x 86mm
  • Introduced 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
  • Revealed February 2009
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Sony H50 vs Sony S980 Overview

Below is a detailed comparison of the Sony H50 versus Sony S980, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both manufactured by Sony. There is a considerable difference between the image resolutions of the H50 (9MP) and S980 (12MP) but they feature the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The H50 was launched within a month of the S980 and they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a thorough comparison, below is a brief summary of how the H50 scores vs the S980 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony H50 over the Sony S980

 H50 S980 
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony H50

 S980 H50 

Common features in the Sony H50 and Sony S980

 H50 S980 
RevealedJanuary 2009February 2009Similar age
Focus manually More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Sony H50 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you should consider its weight and volume. The Sony H50 offers physical measurements of 116mm x 81mm x 86mm (4.6" x 3.2" x 3.4") and a weight of 547 grams (1.21 lbs) and the Sony S980 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Examine the Sony H50 versus Sony S980 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the H50 and the S980.

Sony H50 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the H50 and S980 is 69 and 94 respectively.

Sony H50 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Sony H50 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to visualize the gap between sensor measurements simply by checking a spec sheet. The graphic below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the H50 and S980.

As you can see, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can expect the Sony S980 to resolve more detail utilizing its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures much more aggressively.

Sony H50 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Sony H50 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony H50 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony H50 Portrait photography information
Sony S980 Portrait photography information
27
has manual focus
external flash not possible
low resolution (9MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
27
focusing manually
no manual mode
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony H50 as a Street photography camera
Sony S980 as a Street photography camera
43
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
more heavy than others (547g)
47
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony H50 Sports photography highlights
Sony S980 Sports photography highlights
32
long zoom range (31-465mm 15.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
low resolution (9MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
17
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony H50 as a Travel photography camera
Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
44
flash built-in
great reach (465mm)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than others (547 grams)
low resolution (9MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
51
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
MP count low (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony H50 Landscape photography highlights
Sony S980 Landscape photography highlights
34
has manual focus
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
low resolution (9MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
27
focusing manually
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony H50
Vlogging with Sony S980
19
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
missing external microphone jack
more heavy than others (547 grams)
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic jack
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Sony H50 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony H50 and Sony S980
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-01-15 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 9 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3456 x 2592 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 31-465mm (15.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.7-4.5 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.10 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480, 30 fps, 320 x 240, 8 fps 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file 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 547 grams (1.21 pounds) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 116 x 81 x 86mm (4.6" x 3.2" x 3.4") 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 recording
Type of storage Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $80 $300