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Sony RX1R II vs Sony S980

Portability
78
Imaging
76
Features
65
Overall
71
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Sony RX1R II vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Sony RX1R II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 50 - 25600 (Bump to 102400)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F2.0) lens
  • 507g - 113 x 65 x 72mm
  • Announced October 2015
  • Old Model is Sony RX1R
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
  • Announced February 2009
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Sony RX1R II vs Sony S980 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Sony RX1R II and Sony S980, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both sold by Sony. There is a significant difference between the resolutions of the RX1R II (42MP) and S980 (12MP) and the RX1R II (Full frame) and S980 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor sizing.

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The RX1R II was released 6 years after the S980 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Sony RX1R II being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a short introduction of how the RX1R II matches up against the S980 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony RX1R II over the Sony S980

 RX1R II S980 
AnnouncedOctober 2015February 2009More modern by 81 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1229k230kCrisper screen (+999k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony RX1R II

 S980 RX1R II 

Common features in the Sony RX1R II and Sony S980

 RX1R II S980 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Sony RX1R II vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and size. The Sony RX1R II has physical measurements of 113mm x 65mm x 72mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") with a weight of 507 grams (1.12 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony RX1R II and Sony S980 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the RX1R II compared to the S980.

Sony RX1R II vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the RX1R II and S980 is 78 and 94 respectively.

Sony RX1R II vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Sony RX1R II vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to see the contrast between sensor sizes just by looking at specifications. The picture here might offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the RX1R II and S980.

Plainly, each of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The RX1R II because of its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony RX1R II will give extra detail as a result of its extra 30MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more recent RX1R II is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Sony RX1R II vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Sony RX1R II vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony RX1R II vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony RX1R II Portrait photography details
Sony S980 Portrait photography details
85
focusing manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/4,000s)
amazing MP (42 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW files
27
you can focus manually
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony RX1R II
Street photography with Sony S980
73
tilting screen
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
good high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (507g)
47
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony RX1R II Sports photography information
Sony S980 Sports photography information
63
amazing MP (42MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
supports phase detect auto focus
can't change focal length (35mm)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery life (220 per charge)
17
slow fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony RX1R II
Travel photography with Sony S980
59
amazing MP (42MP)
good max aperture (f2.0)
lack of Time Lapse function
bad battery life (220 shots)
heavier than competitors in class (507g)
does not have selfie friendly display
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony RX1R II as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S980 as a Landscape photography camera
68
focusing manually
good max aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3")
amazing MP (42MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery life (220 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
27
you can focus manually
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony RX1R II
Vlogging with Sony S980
34
good max aperture (f2.0)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic jack
does not have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (507g)
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic support
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Sony RX1R II vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony RX1R II and Sony S980
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R IISony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Category Large Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2015-10-13 2009-02-17
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip BIONZ X -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 42 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 7952 x 5304 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 25600 3200
Highest boosted ISO 102400 -
Min native ISO 50 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35mm (1x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.0 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 14cm 10cm
Crop factor 1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 1,229k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 3.50 m
Flash modes Off, auto, fill flash, slow sync, rear sync, wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/4000 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (120p, 30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 507g (1.12 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 113 x 65 x 72mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 97 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 25.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.9 not tested
DXO Low light score 3204 not tested
Other
Battery life 220 images -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model NP-BX1 -
Self timer Yes (2,5, 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $3,300 $300