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Sony RX10 IV vs Sony S980

Portability
52
Imaging
54
Features
82
Overall
65
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Sony RX10 IV vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Sony RX10 IV
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-600mm (F2.4-4.0) lens
  • 1095g - 133 x 94 x 145mm
  • Released September 2017
  • Superseded the Sony RX10 III
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
  • Revealed February 2009
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Sony RX10 IV vs Sony S980 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Sony RX10 IV vs Sony S980, former is a Large Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both offered by Sony. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the RX10 IV (20MP) and S980 (12MP) and the RX10 IV (1") and S980 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor size.

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The RX10 IV was released 8 years after the S980 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Sony RX10 IV being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the RX10 IV grades versus the S980 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony RX10 IV over the Sony S980

 RX10 IV S980 
RevealedSeptember 2017February 2009More modern by 105 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1440k230kSharper screen (+1210k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony RX10 IV

 S980 RX10 IV 

Common features in the Sony RX10 IV and Sony S980

 RX10 IV S980 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Sony RX10 IV vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Sony RX10 IV enjoys outer measurements of 133mm x 94mm x 145mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 5.7") having a weight of 1095 grams (2.41 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Contrast the Sony RX10 IV vs Sony S980 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the RX10 IV against the S980.

Sony RX10 IV vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the RX10 IV and S980 is 52 and 94 respectively.

Sony RX10 IV vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Sony RX10 IV vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to see the contrast in sensor sizes purely by researching technical specs. The picture underneath may offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the RX10 IV and S980.

As you have seen, each of these cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The RX10 IV due to its bigger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony RX10 IV will provide you with greater detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more modern RX10 IV will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Sony RX10 IV vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Sony RX10 IV vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Sony RX10 IV Portrait photography info
Sony S980 Portrait photography info
72
you can focus manually
great flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
offers face detection focus
exports RAW files
27
focusing manually
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony RX10 IV Street photography details
Sony S980 Street photography details
64
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
boasts focus via touch
environment proof
heavier than average (1,095 grams)
47
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony RX10 IV Sports photography factors
Sony S980 Sports photography factors
77
excellent zoom range (24-600mm 25.0 x zoom)
quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
high frames per second (24.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
17
slow fps (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony RX10 IV
Travel photography with Sony S980
57
environment proof
has bluetooth
boasts focus via touch
MP count good (20MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than average (1,095 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.4)
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony RX10 IV as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S980 as a Landscape photography camera
63
you can focus manually
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
environment proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.4)
no Time Lapse mode
27
focusing manually
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony RX10 IV
Vlogging with Sony S980
29
relatively wide (24mm)
touch screen
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes external mic port
slow max aperture (f2.4)
display isn't selfie friendly
heavier than average (1,095 grams)
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone socket
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Sony RX10 IV vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony RX10 IV and Sony S980
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IVSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Category Large Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2017-09-12 2009-02-17
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 area 116.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5472 x 3648 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 315 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-600mm (25.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.4-4.0 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 2.7 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 1,440k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Max silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 24.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.80 m (at Auto ISO) 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, fill-flash, slow sync, rear sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/2000 seconds -
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)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1095 gr (2.41 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 133 x 94 x 145mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 5.7") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 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 feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $1,698 $300