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Sony HX30V vs Sony S980

Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Sony HX30V vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Sony HX30V
(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
  • Revealed February 2012
  • Superseded the Sony HX20V
  • Replacement is Sony HX50V
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
  • Released February 2009
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Sony HX30V vs Sony S980 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Sony HX30V versus Sony S980, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are designed by Sony. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the HX30V (18MP) and S980 (12MP) but they feature the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The HX30V was revealed 3 years after the S980 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the HX30V matches up against the S980 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Sony S980

 HX30V S980 
ReleasedFebruary 2012February 2009Newer by 37 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony HX30V

 S980 HX30V 

Common features in the Sony HX30V and Sony S980

 HX30V S980 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Sony HX30V vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera, you'll need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Sony HX30V enjoys exterior measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs) while 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).

Analyze the Sony HX30V versus Sony S980 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the HX30V and the S980.

Sony HX30V vs Sony S980 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the HX30V and S980 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Sony HX30V vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Sony HX30V vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions purely by going over specifications. The image here might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the HX30V and S980.

To sum up, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You should anticipate the Sony HX30V to offer you more detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The newer HX30V provides a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony HX30V vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Sony HX30V vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX30V vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony HX30V Portrait photography factors
Sony S980 Portrait photography factors
45
focusing manually
decent MP (18MP)
has face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
27
has manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony HX30V Street photography highlights
Sony S980 Street photography highlights
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (254g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
47
no moving screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony HX30V Sports photography advice
Sony S980 Sports photography advice
49
great zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18 megapixels)
has tracking focus
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
17
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony HX30V Travel photography features
Sony S980 Travel photography features
69
lighter than average (254 grams)
decent MP (18MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long reach (500mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low resolution (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony HX30V as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S980 as a Landscape photography camera
50
focusing manually
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (18MP)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
27
has manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony HX30V as a Vlogging camera
Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
34
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (254g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Sony HX30V vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX30V and Sony S980
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30VSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-02-28 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip 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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 12MP
Anti aliasing 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
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
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 25-500mm (20.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.2-5.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 922k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.10 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 254 gr (0.56 pounds) 167 gr (0.37 pounds)
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 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 life 320 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-BG1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $420 $300