Sony S980 vs Sony ZV-1

Here is a in-depth comparison of the Sony S980 and Sony ZV-1, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact and they are both designed by Sony. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the S980 (12MP) and ZV-1 (20MP) and the S980 (1/2.3") and ZV-1 (1") posses totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The S980 was introduced 12 years earlier than the ZV-1 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Sony S980 being a Compact camera and the Sony ZV-1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise summation of how the S980 grades vs the ZV-1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Below is a preview of the gallery images for Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 & Sony ZV-1. The whole galleries are available at Sony S980 Gallery & Sony ZV-1 Gallery.

For those who are intending to carry your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Sony S980 comes with external dimensions 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 ZV-1 has measurements of 105mm x 60mm x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 294 grams (0.65 lbs).

Look at the Sony S980 and Sony ZV-1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the S980 and the ZV-1.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the S980 and ZV-1 is 94 and 88 respectively.

Usually, it can be difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing just by reading through technical specs. The graphic underneath may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the S980 and ZV-1.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The S980 with its tinier sensor will make getting shallower depth of field harder and the Sony ZV-1 will give more detail using its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The older S980 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.