Sony RX100 vs Sony S980

Lets look a bit more closely at the Sony RX100 and Sony S980, former being a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are designed by Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the RX100 (20MP) and S980 (12MP) and the RX100 (1") and S980 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The RX100 was brought out 3 years later than the S980 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Sony RX100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a more detailed comparison, below is a brief view of how the RX100 grades vs the S980 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Below is a preview of the gallery images for Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The entire galleries are available at Sony RX100 Gallery & Sony S980 Gallery.

If you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and volume. The Sony RX100 provides outer measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") and a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs) and the Sony S980 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Contrast the Sony RX100 and Sony S980 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the RX100 and the S980.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the RX100 and S980 is 91 and 94 respectively.

More often than not, its difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizing just by going over technical specs. The visual here may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the RX100 and S980.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The RX100 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Sony RX100 will offer you more detail having its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more recent RX100 should have a benefit in sensor technology.