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Sony HX20V vs Sony S980

Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Sony HX20V vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Introduced July 2012
  • Earlier Model is Sony HX10V
  • Updated by Sony HX30V
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 HX20V vs Sony S980 Overview

Here is a detailed assessment of the Sony HX20V and Sony S980, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are created by Sony. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the HX20V (18MP) and S980 (12MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The HX20V was manufactured 3 years later than the S980 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a simple summary of how the HX20V matches up versus the S980 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Sony S980

 HX20V S980 
ReleasedJuly 2012February 2009Fresher by 42 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper screen (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony HX20V

 S980 HX20V 

Common features in the Sony HX20V and Sony S980

 HX20V S980 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Sony HX20V vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Sony HX20V has outside measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Examine the Sony HX20V and Sony S980 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the HX20V against the S980.

Sony HX20V vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the HX20V and S980 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Sony HX20V vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Sony HX20V vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizing merely by viewing specifications. The photograph underneath should provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the HX20V and S980.

To sum up, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can expect the Sony HX20V to provide you with greater detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs much more aggressively. The newer HX20V provides an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Sony HX20V vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Sony HX20V vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX20V vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony HX20V Portrait photography information
Sony S980 Portrait photography information
45
manual focus
resolution is good (18MP)
features face detection focusing
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
27
manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony HX20V Street photography advice
Sony S980 Street photography advice
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (254 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
47
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony HX20V Sports photography advice
Sony S980 Sports photography advice
49
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
17
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony HX20V as a Travel photography camera
Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than competitors in class (254g)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
missing Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony HX20V as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S980 as a Landscape photography camera
50
manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
27
manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony HX20V
Vlogging with Sony S980
34
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (254 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic support
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone port
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Sony HX20V vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX20V and Sony S980
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20VSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-07-20 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor BIONZ -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4896 x 3672 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.2-5.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 922 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.10 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 254g (0.56 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 life 320 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NP-BG1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $397 $300