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Sony S980 vs Sony W550

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Sony S980 vs Sony W550 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
  • Announced February 2009
Sony W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Revealed July 2011
Photography Glossary

Sony S980 vs Sony W550 Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Sony S980 versus Sony W550, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Ultracompact and they are both manufactured by Sony. The image resolution of the S980 (12MP) and the W550 (14MP) is relatively close and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S980 was released 3 years prior to the W550 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Sony S980 being a Compact camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving straight into a full comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the S980 matches up vs the W550 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony W550

 S980 W550 
Focus manually More precise focusing

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Sony S980

 W550 S980 
RevealedJuly 2011February 2009More modern by 29 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Sony S980 and Sony W550

 S980 W550 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Sony S980 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Sony S980 has 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 W550 has proportions of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Analyze the Sony S980 versus Sony W550 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the S980 versus the W550.

Sony S980 vs Sony W550 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the S980 and W550 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Sony S980 vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Sony S980 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizes only by researching specifications. The image here will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the S980 and W550.

Plainly, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can count on the Sony W550 to render more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged S980 will be behind in sensor tech.

Sony S980 vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Sony S980 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony S980 vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony S980 Portrait photography advice
Sony W550 Portrait photography advice
27
has manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
28
MP count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony S980 Street photography factors
Sony W550 Street photography factors
47
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony S980
Sports photography with Sony W550
17
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony S980 Travel photography info
Sony W550 Travel photography info
51
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
low resolution (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
65
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (26mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony S980 Landscape photography highlights
Sony W550 Landscape photography highlights
27
has manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
42
relatively wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
lack of manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony S980 Vlogging highlights
Sony W550 Vlogging highlights
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic support
29
relatively wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.7)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic support
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Sony S980 vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony S980 and Sony W550
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Category Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Announced 2009-02-17 2011-07-24
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 33-132mm (4.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.2 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus range 10cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 2 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 3.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 167g (0.37 pounds) 110g (0.24 pounds)
Dimensions 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Battery model - NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One -
Retail cost $300 $119