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Sony S980 vs Sony W800

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800 front
Portability
96
Imaging
45
Features
29
Overall
38

Sony S980 vs Sony W800 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
  • Revealed February 2009
Sony W800
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.2-6.4) lens
  • 125g - 97 x 55 x 21mm
  • Introduced February 2014
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Sony S980 vs Sony W800 Overview

Below, we are matching up the Sony S980 versus Sony W800, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras and both are created by Sony. There exists a crucial gap between the image resolutions of the S980 (12MP) and W800 (20MP) but they possess the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S980 was brought out 6 years before the W800 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a complete comparison, below is a short view of how the S980 grades vs the W800 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony W800

 S980 W800 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing

Reasons to pick Sony W800 over the Sony S980

 W800 S980 
IntroducedFebruary 2014February 2009More modern by 60 months

Common features in the Sony S980 and Sony W800

 S980 W800 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension2.7"2.7"Identical display sizing
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Sony S980 vs Sony W800 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Sony S980 offers outside 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) while the Sony W800 has measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Compare the Sony S980 versus Sony W800 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the S980 against the W800.

Sony S980 vs Sony W800 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S980 and W800 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Sony S980 vs Sony W800 top view buttons comparison

Sony S980 vs Sony W800 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizes merely by reading through technical specs. The image here might give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S980 and W800.

As you can tell, both of those cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony W800 to resolve greater detail having its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images much more aggressively. The more aged S980 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Sony S980 vs Sony W800 sensor size comparison

Sony S980 vs Sony W800 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony S980 vs Sony W800 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony S980
Portrait photography with Sony W800
27
has manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
38
good resolution (20 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sony S980 Street photography advice
Sony W800 Street photography advice
47
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (125g)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony S980 Sports photography features
Sony W800 Sports photography features
17
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20MP)
provides tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W800 as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
70
lighter than competition (125 grams)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (26mm)
no Timelapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony S980
Landscape photography with Sony W800
27
has manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
41
decently wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W800 as a Vlogging camera
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic port
33
decently wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
lighter than competition (125 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone support
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Sony S980 vs Sony W800 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony S980 and Sony W800
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W800
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-02-17 2014-02-13
Physical type 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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 5152 x 3864
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 33-132mm (4.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.2 f/3.2-6.4
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 2s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto / Flash On / Slow Synchro / Flash Off / Advanced Flash
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 file format Motion JPEG AVI MPEG4
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 167g (0.37 lbs) 125g (0.28 lbs)
Dimensions 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 97 x 55 x 21mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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-BN
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 Single Single
Retail cost $300 $90