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Sony RX10 II vs Sony S980

Portability
58
Imaging
52
Features
77
Overall
62
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Sony RX10 II vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Sony RX10 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-200mm (F2.8) lens
  • 813g - 129 x 88 x 102mm
  • Released June 2015
  • Older Model is Sony RX10
  • Successor is Sony RX10 III
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
  • Announced February 2009
Photography Glossary

Sony RX10 II vs Sony S980 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Sony RX10 II and Sony S980, former is a Large Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are offered by Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the RX10 II (20MP) and S980 (12MP) and the RX10 II (1") and S980 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor size.

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The RX10 II was unveiled 6 years after the S980 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Sony RX10 II being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight to a full comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the RX10 II matches up versus the S980 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony RX10 II over the Sony S980

 RX10 II S980 
AnnouncedJune 2015February 2009More modern by 77 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1229k230kCrisper display (+999k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony RX10 II

 S980 RX10 II 

Common features in the Sony RX10 II and Sony S980

 RX10 II S980 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Sony RX10 II vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Sony RX10 II has outer dimensions of 129mm x 88mm x 102mm (5.1" x 3.5" x 4.0") with a weight of 813 grams (1.79 lbs) while the Sony S980 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Sony RX10 II and Sony S980 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the RX10 II vs the S980.

Sony RX10 II vs Sony S980 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the RX10 II and S980 is 58 and 94 respectively.

Sony RX10 II vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Sony RX10 II vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizes just by checking specs. The pic here might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the RX10 II and S980.

All in all, both cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The RX10 II using its larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Sony RX10 II will give more detail having an extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The younger RX10 II will have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony RX10 II vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Sony RX10 II vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony RX10 II vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony RX10 II as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S980 as a Portrait photography camera
71
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
comes with face detect focus
supports RAW files
27
manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony RX10 II
Street photography with Sony S980
72
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is good (1")
supports RAW files
environment proof
47
fixed screen
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony RX10 II Sports photography advice
Sony S980 Sports photography advice
68
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
comes with tracking focus
environment proof
lacks phase detect auto focus
17
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony RX10 II Travel photography details
Sony S980 Travel photography details
56
environment proof
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
no Timelapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony RX10 II Landscape photography highlights
Sony S980 Landscape photography highlights
62
manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
supports RAW files
environment proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
no Timelapse mode
27
manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual control
no image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony RX10 II Vlogging highlights
Sony S980 Vlogging highlights
31
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes microphone jack
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support
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Sony RX10 II vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony RX10 II and Sony S980
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IISony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Large Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2015-06-10 2009-02-17
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Bionz X -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5472 x 3648 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 125 80
RAW pictures
Lowest boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-200mm (8.3x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 3cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 2.7 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 1,229k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shooting rate 14.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.20 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, fill-flash, slow sync, rear sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p) ,1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 813 gr (1.79 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 129 x 88 x 102mm (5.1" x 3.5" x 4.0") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 70 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 531 not tested
Other
Battery life 400 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NP-FW50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $998 $300