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Sony S980 vs Sony WX50

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37

Sony S980 vs Sony WX50 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
  • Introduced February 2009
Sony WX50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
  • Revealed January 2012
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Sony S980 vs Sony WX50 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Sony S980 and Sony WX50, both Small Sensor Compact cameras and both of them are offered by Sony. There is a significant difference among the sensor resolutions of the S980 (12MP) and WX50 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S980 was unveiled 3 years before the WX50 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the S980 grades against the WX50 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony WX50

 S980 WX50 
Manually focus More precise focus

Reasons to pick Sony WX50 over the Sony S980

 WX50 S980 
RevealedJanuary 2012February 2009More modern by 35 months
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Common features in the Sony S980 and Sony WX50

 S980 WX50 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Sony S980 vs Sony WX50 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Sony S980 enjoys physical measurements 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 WX50 has dimensions of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Examine the Sony S980 and Sony WX50 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the S980 against the WX50.

Sony S980 vs Sony WX50 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the S980 and WX50 is 94 and 96 respectively.

Sony S980 vs Sony WX50 top view buttons comparison

Sony S980 vs Sony WX50 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes only by going through a spec sheet. The image here should give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the S980 and WX50.

Clearly, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Sony WX50 to produce extra detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more aged S980 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Sony S980 vs Sony WX50 sensor size comparison

Sony S980 vs Sony WX50 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony S980 vs Sony WX50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony S980 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony WX50 as a Portrait photography camera
27
focusing manually
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
34
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
provides face detection focus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Sony S980 Street photography advice
Sony WX50 Street photography advice
47
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sony S980 as a Sports photography camera
Sony WX50 as a Sports photography camera
17
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
44
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony S980
Travel photography with Sony WX50
51
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
missing Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony S980 Landscape photography highlights
Sony WX50 Landscape photography highlights
27
focusing manually
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
38
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
small screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony S980 Vlogging info
Sony WX50 Vlogging info
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic jack
35
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external mic socket
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Sony S980 vs Sony WX50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony S980 and Sony WX50
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
General Information
Brand Name Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-02-17 2012-01-30
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 33-132mm (4.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.2 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focusing distance 10cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 461 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - Clearfoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 2 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 167 gr (0.37 lb) 117 gr (0.26 lb)
Physical dimensions 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 92 x 52 x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7")
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 life - 240 photographs
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage 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 $250