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Sony S980 vs Sony W830

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W830 front
Portability
96
Imaging
45
Features
26
Overall
37

Sony S980 vs Sony W830 Key Specs

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
  • Launched February 2009
Sony W830
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-6.3) lens
  • 122g - 93 x 52 x 23mm
  • Launched January 2014
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Sony S980 vs Sony W830 Overview

Following is a thorough analysis of the Sony S980 vs Sony W830, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Ultracompact and they are both designed by Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the S980 (12MP) and W830 (20MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S980 was unveiled 5 years prior to the W830 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Sony S980 being a Compact camera and the Sony W830 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the S980 scores versus the W830 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony W830

 S980 W830 
Manually focus More exact focus

Reasons to pick Sony W830 over the Sony S980

 W830 S980 
LaunchedJanuary 2014February 2009More modern by 59 months

Common features in the Sony S980 and Sony W830

 S980 W830 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display measurement
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Sony S980 vs Sony W830 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera, you will want to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Sony S980 features exterior 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 W830 has dimensions of 93mm x 52mm x 23mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9") and a weight of 122 grams (0.27 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony S980 vs Sony W830 in our completely new 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 are employing during that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the S980 compared to the W830.

Sony S980 vs Sony W830 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S980 and W830 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Sony S980 vs Sony W830 top view buttons comparison

Sony S980 vs Sony W830 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to see the difference in sensor sizes purely by seeing specs. The image underneath will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the S980 and W830.

All in all, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Sony W830 to produce more detail having an extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more aged S980 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony S980 vs Sony W830 sensor size comparison

Sony S980 vs Sony W830 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony S980 vs Sony W830 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony S980
Portrait photography with Sony W830
27
manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
38
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony S980 Street photography factors
Sony W830 Street photography factors
47
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
59
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sony S980 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W830 as a Sports photography camera
17
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
43
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony S980 Travel photography features
Sony W830 Travel photography features
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
low MP (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
67
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony S980 Landscape photography features
Sony W830 Landscape photography features
27
manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
41
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony S980 Vlogging information
Sony W830 Vlogging information
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic jack
32
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic socket
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Sony S980 vs Sony W830 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony S980 and Sony W830
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W830
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W830
Class Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Launched 2009-02-17 2014-01-07
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor - 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 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 5152 x 3864
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 33-132mm (4.0x) 25-200mm (8.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.2 f/3.3-6.3
Macro focus distance 10cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 2 secs 2 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 2.80 m (with ISO auto)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto / Flash On / Slow Synchro / Flash Off / Advanced Flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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) 122g (0.27 pounds)
Physical dimensions 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 93 x 52 x 23mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9")
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-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo, microSD/microSDHC
Card slots One One
Launch cost $300 $128