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Sony S950 vs Sony S980

Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Sony S950 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Launched February 2009
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 S950 vs Sony S980 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Sony S950 vs Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both are created by Sony. The resolution of the S950 (10MP) and the S980 (12MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The S950 was revealed about the same time to the S980 so they are of a similar age. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the S950 matches up versus the S980 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Sony S980

 S950 S980 

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony S950

 S980 S950 

Common features in the Sony S950 and Sony S980

 S950 S980 
AnnouncedFebruary 2009February 2009Similar age
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Sony S950 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Sony S950 has got physical dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) and the Sony S980 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Sony S950 vs Sony S980 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you use during that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the S950 versus the S980.

Sony S950 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S950 and S980 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Sony S950 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Sony S950 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions simply by looking at a spec sheet. The image here will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the S950 and S980.

As you can see, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Sony S980 to give extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively.

Sony S950 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Sony S950 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony S950 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony S950 Portrait photography details
Sony S980 Portrait photography details
26
you can focus manually
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
27
manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony S950 Street photography details
Sony S980 Street photography details
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
47
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sony S950 Sports photography factors
Sony S980 Sports photography factors
24
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
17
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Sony S950 as a Travel photography camera
Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
50
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony S950 Landscape photography advice
Sony S980 Landscape photography advice
31
you can focus manually
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
27
manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony S950
Vlogging with Sony S980
9
no video recording
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone port
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Sony S950 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony S950 and Sony S980
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Make Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-02-17 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
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
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 33-132mm (4.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.2 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 10cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 2 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 167 grams (0.37 lbs) 167 grams (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $130 $300