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Sony S980 vs Sony WX300

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX300 front
Portability
94
Imaging
43
Features
38
Overall
41

Sony S980 vs Sony WX300 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
  • Introduced February 2009
Sony WX300
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.5) lens
  • 166g - 96 x 55 x 25mm
  • Announced February 2013
  • Later Model is Sony WX350
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Sony S980 vs Sony WX300 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Sony S980 vs Sony WX300, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both manufactured by Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the S980 (12MP) and WX300 (18MP) but they come with the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The S980 was released 5 years earlier than the WX300 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a full comparison, below is a brief view of how the S980 grades versus the WX300 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony WX300

 S980 WX300 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Sony WX300 over the Sony S980

 WX300 S980 
AnnouncedFebruary 2013February 2009More modern by 48 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Sony S980 and Sony WX300

 S980 WX300 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Sony S980 vs Sony WX300 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and measurements. The Sony S980 has got external dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) and the Sony WX300 has proportions of 96mm x 55mm x 25mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 166 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Sony S980 vs Sony WX300 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have at that moment. Here is the front view scale comparison of the S980 compared to the WX300.

Sony S980 vs Sony WX300 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the S980 and WX300 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Sony S980 vs Sony WX300 top view buttons comparison

Sony S980 vs Sony WX300 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to envision the gap in sensor sizes just by looking through a spec sheet. The picture here might provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S980 and WX300.

Clearly, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Sony WX300 to render extra detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged S980 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Sony S980 vs Sony WX300 sensor size comparison

Sony S980 vs Sony WX300 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony S980 vs Sony WX300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony S980 Portrait photography info
Sony WX300 Portrait photography info
27
you can focus manually
manual mode not available
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
37
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
includes face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Sony S980
Street photography with Sony WX300
47
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (166g)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sony S980 as a Sports photography camera
Sony WX300 as a Sports photography camera
17
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
50
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony S980 Travel photography details
Sony WX300 Travel photography details
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
71
lighter than average (166g)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (500mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony S980
Landscape photography with Sony WX300
27
you can focus manually
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
44
rather wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony S980 Vlogging factors
Sony WX300 Vlogging factors
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic jack
35
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (166 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone support
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Sony S980 vs Sony WX300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony S980 and Sony WX300
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX300
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX300
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-02-17 2013-02-20
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 33-132mm (4.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.2 f/3.5-6.5
Macro focus range 10cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 2s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.50 m 4.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 167 grams (0.37 pounds) 166 grams (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 96 x 55 x 25mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $300 $330