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Sony S980 vs Sony A99

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
 
Sony SLT-A99 front
Portability
57
Imaging
69
Features
88
Overall
76

Sony S980 vs Sony A99 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 A99
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 812g - 147 x 111 x 78mm
  • Launched December 2012
  • Older Model is Sony A900
  • Later Model is Sony A99 II
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Sony S980 vs Sony A99 Overview

Lets look a little more in depth at the Sony S980 versus Sony A99, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced DSLR and both are offered by Sony. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the S980 (12MP) and A99 (24MP) and the S980 (1/2.3") and A99 (Full frame) provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The S980 was announced 4 years earlier than the A99 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Sony S980 being a Compact camera and the Sony A99 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a brief summary of how the S980 grades versus the A99 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Sony A99

 S980 A99 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 over the Sony S980

 A99 S980 
LaunchedDecember 2012February 2009Fresher by 46 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1229k230kSharper display (+999k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Sony S980 and Sony A99

 S980 A99 
Manual focus More precise focus
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Sony S980 vs Sony A99 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Sony S980 has got outer 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) while the Sony A99 has dimensions of 147mm x 111mm x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1") along with a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Examine the Sony S980 versus Sony A99 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the S980 compared to the A99.

Sony S980 vs Sony A99 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the S980 and A99 is 94 and 57 respectively.

Sony S980 vs Sony A99 top view buttons comparison

Sony S980 vs Sony A99 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to envision the difference in sensor sizing just by looking through a spec sheet. The photograph here will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the S980 and A99.

As you can see, both of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The S980 with its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Sony A99 will result in extra detail with its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos more aggressively. The older S980 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Sony S980 vs Sony A99 sensor size comparison

Sony S980 vs Sony A99 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony S980 vs Sony A99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony S980 Portrait photography features
Sony A99 Portrait photography features
27
manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
81
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with face detect focus
exports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Sony S980 Street photography details
Sony A99 Street photography details
47
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
75
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
above average high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sony S980 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A99 as a Sports photography camera
17
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low battery power (500 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Sony S980 Travel photography information
Sony A99 Travel photography information
51
has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
60
environment proofing
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
does not have Time Lapse recording
low battery power (500 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony S980
Landscape photography with Sony A99
27
manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Timelapse mode
74
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
two card slots
low battery power (500 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A99 as a Vlogging camera
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone jack
76
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes mic socket
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Sony S980 vs Sony A99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony S980 and Sony A99
 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980Sony SLT-A99
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model type Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 Sony SLT-A99
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2009-02-17 2012-12-12
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 24MP
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 25600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
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) -
Max aperture f/3.3-5.2 -
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Available lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 2 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.50 m no built-in flash
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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest 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 data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 167g (0.37 pounds) 812g (1.79 pounds)
Physical dimensions 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 147 x 111 x 78mm (5.8" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 89
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1555
Other
Battery life - 500 shots
Battery type - 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 Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD, SDHC and SDXC
Card slots Single 2
Launch price $300 $1,998