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Sony S980 vs Sony A77

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
 
Sony SLT-A77 front
Portability
59
Imaging
63
Features
83
Overall
71

Sony S980 vs Sony A77 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
  • Launched February 2009
Sony A77
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 50 - 16000 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 732g - 143 x 104 x 81mm
  • Released October 2011
  • Replaced the Sony A700
  • Newer Model is Sony A77 II
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Sony S980 vs Sony A77 Overview

Following is a extended review of the Sony S980 vs Sony A77, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced DSLR and both are manufactured by Sony. There is a large difference between the sensor resolutions of the S980 (12MP) and A77 (24MP) and the S980 (1/2.3") and A77 (APS-C) use totally different sensor sizing.

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The S980 was brought out 3 years earlier than the A77 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Sony S980 being a Compact camera and the Sony A77 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go through a detailed comparison, below is a simple view of how the S980 matches up against the A77 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony A77

 S980 A77 

Reasons to pick Sony A77 over the Sony S980

 A77 S980 
ReleasedOctober 2011February 2009More modern by 32 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Sony S980 and Sony A77

 S980 A77 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Sony S980 vs Sony A77 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Sony S980 comes with exterior measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) whilst the Sony A77 has sizing of 143mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") with a weight of 732 grams (1.61 lbs).

Look at the Sony S980 vs Sony A77 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the S980 compared to the A77.

Sony S980 vs Sony A77 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the S980 and A77 is 94 and 59 respectively.

Sony S980 vs Sony A77 top view buttons comparison

Sony S980 vs Sony A77 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizes only by reviewing specs. The image here may offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the S980 and A77.

All in all, both of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The S980 due to its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony A77 will offer greater detail having its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged S980 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Sony S980 vs Sony A77 sensor size comparison

Sony S980 vs Sony A77 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony S980 vs Sony A77 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony S980 Portrait photography features
Sony A77 Portrait photography features
27
you can focus manually
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
77
has manual focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sony S980 Street photography details
Sony A77 Street photography details
47
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
74
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
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Sports Comparison

Sony S980 Sports photography details
Sony A77 Sports photography details
17
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
74
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery (470 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A77 as a Travel photography camera
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
62
weather proofing
megapixel count good (24MP)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
doesn't have Timelapse recording
not so great battery (470 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Sony S980 Landscape photography information
Sony A77 Landscape photography information
27
you can focus manually
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
71
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
not so great battery (470 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony S980 Vlogging details
Sony A77 Vlogging details
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone support
76
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone support
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Sony S980 vs Sony A77 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony S980 and Sony A77
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980Sony SLT-A77
General Information
Brand Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 Sony SLT-A77
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2009-02-17 2011-10-25
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 3200 16000
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 80 50
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 19
Cross type focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 33-132mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.2 -
Macro focusing range 10cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 2 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 12.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/250 seconds
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 167 gr (0.37 pounds) 732 gr (1.61 pounds)
Dimensions 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 143 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 801
Other
Battery life - 470 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $300 $900