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Sony HX90V vs Sony S980

Portability
91
Imaging
44
Features
63
Overall
51
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Sony HX90V vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Sony HX90V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Released April 2015
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
  • Launched February 2009
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Sony HX90V vs Sony S980 Overview

Below, we are looking at the Sony HX90V vs Sony S980, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both are designed by Sony. There exists a crucial gap between the sensor resolutions of the HX90V (18MP) and S980 (12MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The HX90V was unveiled 6 years later than the S980 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a short summary of how the HX90V scores vs the S980 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony HX90V over the Sony S980

 HX90V S980 
LaunchedApril 2015February 2009More recent by 75 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony HX90V

 S980 HX90V 

Common features in the Sony HX90V and Sony S980

 HX90V S980 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Sony HX90V vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to lug around your camera, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Sony HX90V offers external dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") having a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs) while the Sony S980 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Sony HX90V vs Sony S980 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the HX90V versus the S980.

Sony HX90V vs Sony S980 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the HX90V and S980 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Sony HX90V vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Sony HX90V vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to visualize the difference between sensor measurements purely by looking at a spec sheet. The photograph underneath might give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the HX90V and S980.

Clearly, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Sony HX90V to give you more detail having an extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The younger HX90V should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony HX90V vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Sony HX90V vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX90V vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony HX90V Portrait photography details
Sony S980 Portrait photography details
46
focusing manually
good resolution (18MP)
offers face detect focusing
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
27
has manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony HX90V Street photography highlights
Sony S980 Street photography highlights
70
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (245 grams)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
47
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony HX90V as a Sports photography camera
Sony S980 as a Sports photography camera
57
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
offers tracking focus
good battery power (360 CIPA)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
17
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony HX90V
Travel photography with Sony S980
76
good battery power (360 CIPA)
lighter than competition (245 grams)
good resolution (18MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
decently wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
no Time Lapse recording
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
51
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony HX90V Landscape photography info
Sony S980 Landscape photography info
53
focusing manually
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
good battery power (360 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
27
has manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony HX90V
Vlogging with Sony S980
75
decently wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (245g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no mic support
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic port
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Sony HX90V vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX90V and Sony S980
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90VSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX90V Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2015-04-14 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz X -
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 18 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4896 x 3672 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-6.4 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 638 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.5x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 2 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.40 m (with Auto ISO) 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVCHD, XAVC S Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 245 gr (0.54 lbs) 167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" 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 360 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NP-BX1 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $440 $300