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Sony HX9V vs Sony S980

Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
46
Overall
41
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Sony HX9V vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Sony HX9V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 245g - 105 x 59 x 34mm
  • Revealed July 2011
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
  • Launched February 2009
Photography Glossary

Sony HX9V vs Sony S980 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Sony HX9V vs Sony S980, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both designed by Sony. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the HX9V (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The HX9V was announced 2 years after the S980 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a complete comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the HX9V grades vs the S980 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony HX9V over the Sony S980

 HX9V S980 
LaunchedJuly 2011February 2009More modern by 30 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony HX9V

 S980 HX9V 

Common features in the Sony HX9V and Sony S980

 HX9V S980 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Sony HX9V vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and size. The Sony HX9V has got physical measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs) and the Sony S980 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Analyze the Sony HX9V vs Sony S980 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the HX9V vs the S980.

Sony HX9V vs Sony S980 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the HX9V and S980 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Sony HX9V vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Sony HX9V vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizes purely by going through specs. The picture below will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the HX9V and S980.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Sony HX9V to provide greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more recent HX9V is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony HX9V vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Sony HX9V vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony HX9V vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony HX9V as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S980 as a Portrait photography camera
39
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
27
has manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony HX9V Street photography features
Sony S980 Street photography features
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (245 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
47
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony HX9V Sports photography factors
Sony S980 Sports photography factors
44
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
17
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony HX9V
Travel photography with Sony S980
69
lighter than others (245g)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
long zoom (384mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony HX9V Landscape photography information
Sony S980 Landscape photography information
49
has manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
27
has manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony HX9V
Vlogging with Sony S980
33
quite wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (245g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic support
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone support
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Sony HX9V vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony HX9V and Sony S980
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9VSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-07-19 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-384mm (16.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range - 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech XtraFine LCD display with TruBlack technology -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 2 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 245 grams (0.54 pounds) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 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 ID NP-BG1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch price $328 $300