Sony S980 vs Sony WX350: A Deep Dive into Two Compact Companions

Choosing the right compact camera can be daunting, especially when options come from the same trusted brand but aim at different types of shooters. Today, let’s break down two Sony Cyber-shot models: the Sony S980, a 2009 compact designed for simplicity and portability, and the Sony WX350, a 2014 small sensor superzoom built for versatility and modern convenience.

With over 15 years evaluating cameras hands-on, we’ll explore how these two stack up across physical design, imaging technology, performance in various photography genres, and practical use. Whether you’re an enthusiast looking for your next travel companion or a professional seeking a pocketable backup camera, we’ll help you understand which one fits your creative journey best.

First Look: Comparing Size, Ergonomics, and Controls

Physical handling and intuitive control layout often determine whether a camera feels like a creative tool or a frustrating gadget. Both cameras fall into Sony’s compact category but were designed with different priorities nearly five years apart.

Sony S980: The S980 is ultra-compact with a practical, no-frills design. It is easy to slip into a pocket but offers minimal tactile control - you won’t find customizable buttons or dials here. The grip is modest, comfortable for casual snaps.

Sony WX350: Slightly thicker with a more ergonomic shape, the WX350 offers better handgrip and control feedback. Its button placement enhances quick setting tweaks, and the larger, higher-resolution screen makes framing and reviewing images more enjoyable.

Conclusion: If portability and simplicity top your priority list, the S980 is a neat little workhorse. For better handling and a more tactile shooting experience, especially for prolonged use, the WX350 is a clear winner here.

Sensor and Image Capability: Quality Heart of the Camera

Image quality is the crucial factor we test extensively in our labs and real-world shoots. Both cameras use the same 1/2.3” sensor size but with different sensor technologies and resolutions.

Sensor Technology Impact

• Sony S980’s CCD sensor was standard for its release year but tends to be less sensitive in low light and can struggle with noise above ISO 400.
• Sony WX350’s BSI-CMOS sensor is newer, optimized for low-light performance, and pushes ISO up to 12800 with better noise management thanks to back-side illumination technology.

Resolution and Details

• 18 megapixels in WX350 versus 12 in S980 means you get sharper images and more flexibility for cropping or large prints.
• The WX350’s sensor also feeds into better video resolution - 1080p at 60p compared to S980’s 720p.

Real-World Takeaway

While both sensors are physically the same size (small sensor compact), the WX350’s newer sensor architecture provides superior overall image quality, especially in low light or when zooming in on detail. The S980 can still be useful for well-lit daytime shots but shows its age in dynamic range and noise control.

User Interface and Display Comparison

Shooting is as much about what you see as what you capture. A daylight-visible screen, intuitive menus, and quick focus feedback can boost your confidence and creativity.

The WX350 notably improves here with a brighter, sharper screen that is easier to use in bright outdoor settings. The S980’s dimmer 2.7-inch display can struggle to reliably preview your composition under strong sunlight.

Neither camera offers a viewfinder or touchscreen functionality, pushing all interaction to the rear screen and physical buttons. This keeps the design simple, but advanced features like touch AF or quick selection aren’t available.

User Tip: If you often shoot outdoors or want to review images more clearly, the WX350 screen is more user-friendly and less fatiguing over long shoots.

Lens and Zoom Capability: Reach vs. Speed

One of the starkest differences: the zoom range each camera provides.

The WX350's superzoom lens is its crown jewel, extending focal reach to 500mm, equivalent to a serious telephoto lens in a compact body. The S980’s 33-132mm is fair for casual portraits and snapshots but lacks telephoto power to capture distant subjects.

Built-in optical image stabilization in the WX350 lets you shoot handheld at full zoom with fewer blurred shots. The S980 lacks stabilization, which limits sharpness at long focal lengths or slower shutter speeds.

Practical considerations:

• Wildlife and sports enthusiasts will appreciate how the WX350’s extended zoom and stabilization enable capturing distant motion.
• Portrait and street photographers might prefer the S980’s somewhat faster aperture at the wide end for better background separation (bokeh) in bright light, though neither lens is bright enough for strong background blur.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed

Autofocus systems can make or break your ability to capture fleeting moments, especially for action or street photography.

The WX350 is far superior in this regard:

• While both use contrast-detection autofocus, the WX350 supports face detection and AF tracking. This helps maintain sharp focus on moving subjects, especially useful in street and sports settings.
• The WX350 offers a burst rate of 10fps, enabling fast sequences for action, whereas the S980 maxes out at a sluggish 1fps.
• The S980’s single AF point system means slower focusing and less flexibility in recomposing shots.

Our testing shows the WX350 nails focus acquisition faster in bright light and maintains better subject tracking, making it a more reliable companion for spontaneous shooting.

Image Stabilization: Steady Shots Matter

Stabilization is vital for handheld shooting, particularly with longer focal lengths or slow shutter speeds.

• Sony WX350 incorporates optical steady shot stabilization, effectively counteracting handshake and blur - critical at 500mm zoom.
• Sony S980 has no stabilization, so shots beyond 1/100s often suffer blur unless you use a tripod or flash.

Real-world impact: If you want to shoot handheld nature, sports, or travel with fewer blurry images, the WX350’s stabilization gives you a clear edge in image sharpness across varied scenarios.

Low Light and ISO Performance

The WX350’s newer BSI-CMOS sensor broadens native ISO sensitivity up to 12800, compared to the S980’s max 3200 ISO on CCD.

• The S980 works best at ISO 80-200, with images degrading noticeably beyond 400.
• WX350 offers improved noise control for usable images up to ISO 3200 or even 6400 in some situations, thanks to sensor and processing advancements.

Night and Astro Photography

Both cameras struggle with manual exposure control given their fixed modes:

• The WX350 has no shutter or aperture priority modes.
• The S980 lacks exposure compensation or custom WB, limiting creative control at night.

Neither camera caters well to astro photography enthusiasts due to sensor size and lack of RAW support.

Video Capabilities: A Step into HD

While neither camera is a dedicated video tool, the WX350 delivers noticeably better video quality with Full HD resolution at smooth 60 frames per second. Its built-in stabilization also helps produce steadier handheld clips.

The S980 records only at 720p in Motion JPEG, which results in larger files with lower compression efficiency and reduced image quality.

Recommendation: If video capture is a consideration, the WX350 is the clear choice.

Battery Life and Storage Convenience

The WX350 benefits from modern, higher capacity batteries rated to last nearly a full day of casual shooting on a charge. The S980 has no published battery life, but expect shorter endurance as is typical for older compact cameras.

Support for SD cards on the WX350 provides flexibility in storage options and capacity compared to Sony's proprietary Memory Sticks.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance

Both cameras offer compact, lightweight plastic builds with no weather sealing. Neither is shockproof, dustproof, freezeproof, or waterproof.

Thus, if you’re adventuring in rugged outdoor conditions, you should factor in protective housing or choose another camera designed for durability.

How These Cameras Perform Across Photography Genres

When testing cameras over years, I find assessing genre-specific performance helps assess practical suitability at a glance. Here’s a breakdown of where each camera shines, and where compromises show:

Portrait Photography

• S980: Limited by lens speed and lack of face-detection AF. Decent skin tone rendering thanks to CCD sensor.
• WX350: Better face detection aids sharp portraits; longer zoom facilitates flattering framing and some background compression.

Landscape Photography

• S980: 12MP resolution and CCD sensor yield slightly softer images with less dynamic range.
• WX350: Higher resolution and improved sensor yield more detailed, vivid landscapes, though limited by small sensor.

Wildlife Photography

• S980: Inadequate zoom and slow AF make distant subjects challenging.
• WX350: 20x zoom and faster autofocus enhance capture chances for animals.

Sports Photography

• S980: Single AF, low burst speed, no tracking reduce usability.
• WX350: 10 fps burst and AF tracking add real capability.

Street Photography

• S980: Compact size and quiet operation good for candid shots.
• WX350: Slightly bigger but faster AF and longer zoom add flexibility.

Macro Photography

• S980: 10 cm focusing offers modest macro capabilities.
• WX350: No specified macro mode; less suited.

Night/Astro Photography

• Both limited by sensor size and controls.

Video

• WX350 clearly superior with Full HD and stabilization.

Travel Photography

• Both extremely pocketable; WX350’s zoom offers versatility.

Professional Work

• Neither supports RAW or advanced workflow integration; more for casual or enthusiast use.

Sample Images: Seeing the Difference Firsthand

To complement the specs and data, viewing sample images side-by-side lets you judge tonal rendition, sharpness, and color balance yourself.

Sony S980 front Sony S980 screen back Sony WX350 front Sony WX350 screen back

The WX350 images appear sharper with richer color saturation and cleaner shadows in moderate light. The S980 performs adequately for snapshots, but fine details and dynamic range lag behind.

Overall Performance Ratings and Value Assessment

Looking at our comprehensive testing metrics summarizing image quality, build, handling, features, and value:

*Prices at time of review.

Value conclusion: Despite its age, the S980 remains a straightforward point-and-shoot for simple photography, but the WX350 offers substantial improvements at a comparable price point, representing better value for most users.

Who Should Buy Which One?

After testing in countless situations and placing these cameras through their paces, here’s how I recommend them:

Choose the Sony S980 if…

• You want an extremely compact, straightforward point-and-shoot for snapshots and travel.
• You prioritize simplicity over features.
• You’re on a strict budget and accept moderate image quality.
• You avoid telephoto needs and video capture isn’t a concern.

Choose the Sony WX350 if…

• You want versatile all-in-one zoom coverage from wide-angle to super-telephoto.
• You need better autofocus, faster burst shooting, and better video.
• Low-light performance and image stabilization are important.
• You want modern features like Wi-Fi connectivity.
• Your budget accommodates a slightly newer, more capable model.

Final Thoughts: Between Classic Compact and Superzoom Versatility

The Sony S980 and WX350 provide two snapshots of compact camera evolution. The S980 appeals for portability and straightforward use, but the WX350’s advancements in sensor tech, zoom range, autofocus, and video confirm its edge in flexibility and image quality.

If you’re starting your photography journey or need a no-fuss camera, the S980 suffices. Yet for enthusiasts or casual pros wanting a dependable, pocketable zoom camera, the WX350 is a wiser investment.

Our advice? Try them out in-store if you can. Handling the camera, previewing images on that crisp screen, and testing zoom smoothness offer insight no specs can match. Also, explore compatible accessories like memory cards, spare batteries, or travel cases to optimize your experience.

Additional Resources for Your Creative Journey

• Check out Sony’s evolving Cyber-shot lineup for more advanced models.
• Pair your chosen compact with a smartphone editing app for instant sharing.
• Explore online tutorials to maximize your camera’s manual controls.
• Join photography forums or local workshops to exchange tips with fellow creators.

If you found this comprehensive comparison helpful, feel free to share it with your photography network or bookmark for future reference. Here’s to capturing your vision with the perfect tool in hand!

Reviewed and written based on extensive hands-on experience, lab testing, and real-world shooting scenarios.