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Sony S980 vs Sony W380

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W380 front
Portability
96
Imaging
36
Features
25
Overall
31

Sony S980 vs Sony W380 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
  • Introduced February 2009
Sony W380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
  • 117g - 91 x 52 x 20mm
  • Launched January 2010
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Sony S980 vs Sony W380 Overview

Below is a complete comparison of the Sony S980 vs Sony W380, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Ultracompact and both of them are offered by Sony. The image resolution of the S980 (12MP) and the W380 (14MP) is fairly comparable and they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The S980 was brought out 10 months earlier than the W380 and they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Sony S980 being a Compact camera and the Sony W380 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going in to a more detailed comparison, below is a short summary of how the S980 scores versus the W380 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony W380

 S980 W380 
Manual focus Very precise focusing

Reasons to pick Sony W380 over the Sony S980

 W380 S980 
LaunchedJanuary 2010February 2009More recent by 10 months

Common features in the Sony S980 and Sony W380

 S980 W380 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display size
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Sony S980 vs Sony W380 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Sony S980 enjoys exterior dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) and the Sony W380 has sizing of 91mm x 52mm x 20mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Check out the Sony S980 vs Sony W380 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the S980 against the W380.

Sony S980 vs Sony W380 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the S980 and W380 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Sony S980 vs Sony W380 top view buttons comparison

Sony S980 vs Sony W380 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to visualize the gap in sensor measurements just by going through specifications. The visual here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the S980 and W380.

Plainly, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can anticipate the Sony W380 to show more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The older S980 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Sony S980 vs Sony W380 sensor size comparison

Sony S980 vs Sony W380 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony S980 vs Sony W380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony S980 Portrait photography features
Sony W380 Portrait photography features
27
has manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
28
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony S980 Street photography information
Sony W380 Street photography information
47
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony S980 Sports photography features
Sony W380 Sports photography features
17
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
34
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony S980 Travel photography details
Sony W380 Travel photography details
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
65
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony S980 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W380 as a Landscape photography camera
27
has manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
no manual mode
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
37
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.4)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony S980
Vlogging with Sony W380
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone support
29
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.4)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic support
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Sony S980 vs Sony W380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony S980 and Sony W380
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W380
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W380
Class Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Introduced 2009-02-17 2010-01-07
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 33-132mm (4.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.2 f/2.4-5.9
Macro focusing distance 10cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 2 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 4.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow syncro
External flash
AEB
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 167 grams (0.37 lb) 117 grams (0.26 lb)
Dimensions 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 91 x 52 x 20mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.8")
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 type Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal SD/SDHC, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro HG-Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at release $300 $44