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Sony HX100V vs Sony S980

Portability
66
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Sony HX100V vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Sony HX100V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 27-810mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 577g - 122 x 87 x 93mm
  • Introduced October 2011
  • Newer Model is Sony HX200V
Sony S980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Introduced February 2009
Photography Glossary

Sony HX100V vs Sony S980 Overview

Below, we are matching up the Sony HX100V versus Sony S980, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are produced by Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the sensor resolutions of the HX100V (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The HX100V was unveiled 2 years after the S980 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Sony HX100V being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the HX100V scores against the S980 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony HX100V over the Sony S980

 HX100V S980 
IntroducedOctober 2011February 2009More modern by 33 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony HX100V

 S980 HX100V 

Common features in the Sony HX100V and Sony S980

 HX100V S980 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Sony HX100V vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Sony HX100V features outside dimensions of 122mm x 87mm x 93mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 3.7") with a weight of 577 grams (1.27 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has dimensions 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 HX100V versus Sony S980 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose during that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the HX100V vs the S980.

Sony HX100V vs Sony S980 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the HX100V and S980 is 66 and 94 respectively.

Sony HX100V vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Sony HX100V vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizes just by reading through a spec sheet. The image underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the HX100V and S980.

As you can see, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Sony HX100V to give you greater detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more modern HX100V is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Sony HX100V vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Sony HX100V vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX100V vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony HX100V
Portrait photography with Sony S980
39
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
27
manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony HX100V Street photography factors
Sony S980 Street photography factors
50
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
heavier than others (577g)
47
fixed screen
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony HX100V Sports photography details
Sony S980 Sports photography details
49
incredible zoom range (27-810mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
17
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony HX100V
Travel photography with Sony S980
54
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (27mm)
great zoom (810mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than others (577g)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony HX100V
Landscape photography with Sony S980
47
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (27mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
27
manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX100V as a Vlogging camera
Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
25
reasonably wide (27mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
no mic support
heavier than others (577g)
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic socket
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Sony HX100V vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX100V and Sony S980
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100VSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-10-21 2009-02-17
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by BIONZ -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 27-810mm (30.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.6 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range - 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology XtraFine LCD display with TruBlack technology -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.70 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync 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
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic 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 BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 577 gr (1.27 lbs) 167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 122 x 87 x 93mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 3.7") 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
Battery model NP-FH50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $429 $300