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Sony S980 vs Sony WX500

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
56
Overall
48

Sony S980 vs Sony WX500 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
  • Announced February 2009
Sony WX500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 236g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Announced April 2015
  • Succeeded the Sony WX350
Photography Glossary

Sony S980 vs Sony WX500 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Sony S980 and Sony WX500, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both created by Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the S980 (12MP) and WX500 (18MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S980 was manufactured 7 years before the WX500 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a short summary of how the S980 grades against the WX500 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony WX500

 S980 WX500 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Sony S980

 WX500 S980 
AnnouncedApril 2015February 2009More modern by 74 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Sony S980 and Sony WX500

 S980 WX500 
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Sony S980 vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Sony S980 comes with physical dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Sony WX500 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") having a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

Contrast the Sony S980 and Sony WX500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the S980 against the WX500.

Sony S980 vs Sony WX500 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S980 and WX500 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Sony S980 vs Sony WX500 top view buttons comparison

Sony S980 vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to see the gap between sensor sizes merely by reviewing specifications. The pic below should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the S980 and WX500.

To sum up, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Sony WX500 to deliver greater detail due to its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics way more aggressively. The more aged S980 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Sony S980 vs Sony WX500 sensor size comparison

Sony S980 vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony S980 vs Sony WX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony S980 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony WX500 as a Portrait photography camera
27
manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
39
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
offers face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Sony S980 as a Street photography camera
Sony WX500 as a Street photography camera
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
69
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (236g)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sony S980 Sports photography features
Sony WX500 Sports photography features
17
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
57
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
offers tracking focus
good battery life (360 CIPA)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony S980
Travel photography with Sony WX500
51
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
71
good battery life (360 CIPA)
lighter than others in class (236 grams)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony S980 Landscape photography features
Sony WX500 Landscape photography features
27
manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Timelapse function
49
pretty wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
good battery life (360 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
Sony WX500 as a Vlogging camera
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone port
35
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (236 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
lack of mic socket
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Sony S980 vs Sony WX500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony S980 and Sony WX500
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
General Information
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Model Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-02-17 2015-04-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
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 12 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 33-132mm (4.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.2 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focus distance 10cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 2 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.50 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic port
Headphone port
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) 236 grams (0.52 pounds)
Physical dimensions 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
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 life - 360 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $300 $348