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Sony S980 vs Sony TX9

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX9 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37

Sony S980 vs Sony TX9 Key Specs

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
  • Launched February 2009
Sony TX9
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.5-4.6) lens
  • 149g - 98 x 60 x 18mm
  • Released July 2010
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Sony S980 vs Sony TX9 Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Sony S980 versus Sony TX9, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Ultracompact and both of them are manufactured by Sony. The resolution of the S980 (12MP) and the TX9 (12MP) is pretty well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S980 was unveiled 16 months prior to the TX9 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras offer different body type with the Sony S980 being a Compact camera and the Sony TX9 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise summation of how the S980 matches up against the TX9 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony TX9

 S980 TX9 

Reasons to pick Sony TX9 over the Sony S980

 TX9 S980 
ReleasedJuly 2010February 2009Newer by 16 months
Screen sizing3.5"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.8")
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper screen (+692k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Sony S980 and Sony TX9

 S980 TX9 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Sony S980 vs Sony TX9 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Sony S980 offers exterior measurements 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 TX9 has measurements of 98mm x 60mm x 18mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 0.7") with a weight of 149 grams (0.33 lbs).

Analyze the Sony S980 versus Sony TX9 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the S980 against the TX9.

Sony S980 vs Sony TX9 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the S980 and TX9 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Sony S980 vs Sony TX9 top view buttons comparison

Sony S980 vs Sony TX9 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reading through specifications. The picture here might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the S980 and TX9.

Plainly, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same resolution therefore you can expect similar quality of photographs although you might want to consider the launch date of the products into consideration. The more aged S980 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Sony S980 vs Sony TX9 sensor size comparison

Sony S980 vs Sony TX9 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony S980 vs Sony TX9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony S980 Portrait photography information
Sony TX9 Portrait photography information
27
you can focus manually
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
27
focusing manually
no manual control
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony S980 Street photography details
Sony TX9 Street photography details
47
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
60
image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus by touch
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
more heavy than average (149g)
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Sports Comparison

Sony S980 Sports photography information
Sony TX9 Sports photography information
17
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
34
image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony S980 Travel photography details
Sony TX9 Travel photography details
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
60
includes focus by touch
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than average (149 grams)
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony S980 Landscape photography factors
Sony TX9 Landscape photography factors
27
you can focus manually
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
41
focusing manually
relatively wide (25mm)
screen larger than average (3.5 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony S980
Vlogging with Sony TX9
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic port
32
relatively wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone port
more heavy than average (149g)
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Sony S980 vs Sony TX9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony S980 and Sony TX9
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX9
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX9
Class Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Launched 2009-02-17 2010-07-08
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 33-132mm (4.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.2 f/3.5-4.6
Macro focusing range 10cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 3.5 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 2 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (50 fps), 1440 x 1080 (50, 25fps), 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 167 gr (0.37 lb) 149 gr (0.33 lb)
Dimensions 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 98 x 60 x 18mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 0.7")
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 ID - NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 sec or 10 sec, portrait1/ portrait2)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal SD/ SDHC/ SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $300 $799