Request a product

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyCyber-shot DSC-S950SonyCyber-shot DSC-S980
Overview
Released20092009
Image and sensor
Camera typeCompactCompact
Sensor format1/2.3-type1/2.3-type
Sensor typeSuper HAD CCDSuper HAD CCD
Effective resolution10.1 MP12.1 MP
Largest image3648 × 27364000 × 3000
RAW recordingNoNo
Standard ISO range100–3200100–3200
Sensor detailOptical 1/2.3-type Super HAD CCD, approximately 10.1 million effective / 10.3 million total pixels. Optical format is not a physical dimension; shared instruction manual labels S950 separately from 12.1 MP S980Optical 1/2.3-type Super HAD CCD, approximately 12.1 million effective / 12.4 million total pixels. Optical format is not a physical dimension. Exact shared instruction manual labels S980 separately from 10.1 MP S950
Image formatsJPEG/Exif 2.21; maximum 3648×2736, with 3:2 3648×2432 and 16:9 3648×2056/1920×1080 settings. No RAW. UK archive mixed 12 MP template entries excludedJPEG/Exif 2.21; maximum 4000×3000, with 3:2 4000×2672 and 16:9 4000×2248/1920×1080 settings. No RAW recording
Lens and shooting
Built-in lens33–132 mm equivalent33–132 mm equivalent
Maximum aperturef/2.5–5.6f/2.5–5.6
Optical zoom4×4×
StabilisationElectronic onlyElectronic only
Lens detailSony 4× zoom, physical 5.8–23.2 mm F2.5–5.6, equivalent 33–132 mm. Closest focus approximately 5 cm wide / 50 cm telephotoSony 4× zoom, physical 5.8–23.2 mm F2.5–5.6; 35 mm equivalent 33–132 mm. Closest focus approximately 5 cm wide / 50 cm telephoto
AutofocusSingle autofocus; nine-area multi AF or centre AF and distance presets 0.5 m, 1 m, 3 m, 7 m and infinity, not continuously adjustable manual focus. Face detection up to eight faces; no AF illuminatorSingle autofocus; nine-area multi AF, centre AF or five distance presets: 0.5 m, 1 m, 3 m, 7 m and infinity, not continuously adjustable manual focus. Face detection up to eight faces; no AF illuminator
ShutterAuto 1/8–1/2000 second; Program auto 1–1/2000 second in exact Hong Kong maker tableAuto 1/8–1/2000 second; Program auto 1–1/2000 second in exact Asia-Pacific maker table
Burst detailUp to 100 frames while shutter is held, approximately 1-second recording interval. Focus, exposure and white balance fixed to first frame; flash off and ISO limited to Auto or 100–400. Self-timer burst limited to five frames. No unrestricted sustained rate inferredUp to 100 images while shutter held; approximately 1-second recording interval. Focus, exposure and white balance fixed to first frame, flash off, ISO limited to Auto or 100–400; self-timer burst up to five frames. No unrestricted sustained rate inferred
Stabilisation detailElectronic SteadyShot only, not optical lens or sensor-shift stabilisation. Handbook excludes flash use and Easy Shooting; processing takes additional timeElectronic SteadyShot only; no optical lens or sensor-shift stabilisation. Exact handbook excludes flash use and Easy Shooting and notes additional processing time
FlashAuto ISO range approximately 0.5–3.5 m wide / 0.5–1.5 m telephoto. Forced flash, slow sync and off; red-eye reduction availableAuto ISO range approximately 0.5–3.5 m wide / 0.5–1.5 m telephoto. Auto, forced flash, slow sync and off; red-eye reduction
Exposure controlsAuto, Easy Shooting, Program auto, High Sensitivity and six scene modes: Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Soft Snap, Landscape, Beach and Snow. No manual or aperture/shutter-priority exposure. ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps; multi-pattern, centre-weighted and spot metering. ISO Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 and 3200Auto, Easy Shooting, Program auto, High Sensitivity and six scene modes: Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Soft Snap, Landscape, Beach and Snow. No manual or aperture/shutter-priority exposure. ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps; multi-pattern, centre-weighted and spot metering. ISO Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 and 3200
Video
Highest video resolution320 × 240 at 30 fps320 × 240 at 30 fps
Video detailAVI Motion JPEG, 320×240 at approximately 30 fps with mono sound. Movie image size fixed to 320×240 in exact instruction manual, overriding UK archive mixed 640×480 template entriesAVI Motion JPEG, 320×240 at 30 fps with mono sound. Movie size fixed to 320×240 in instruction manual; conflicting European archive 640×480 template excluded. Optical zoom cannot change during movie recording
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderNoneNone
Screen size2.7″2.7″
Screen dots230,400230,400
TouchscreenNoNo
Tilting screenNoNo
Display detailFixed 2.7-inch TFT, 230,400 dots; dots are not captured image pixels. No tilting or touchscreen; histogram displayFixed 2.7-inch TFT, 230,400 dots; dots are not image pixels. No touchscreen or tilting; histogram display
Viewfinder detailNo separate viewfinder; composition uses rear LCDNo separate viewfinder; composition uses rear LCD
Connections and design
BluetoothNoNo
Battery life (maker's claim)330 photographs310 photographs
Body weight135 g135 g
Release detailSony Hong Kong January 16 2009 release planned availability from early February; German release also planned February. Actual CDR Electronics October 23 2009 exact-model sale notice and contemporary full ColorFoto test support year 2009. First retail month/day unresolved, so year precision retained. No predecessor inferred from model numberingMaker European February 17 2009 release planned availability from late February. Imaging Resource exact-model database records Date Available March 15 2009, supporting conservative year 2009; precise first-sale day/region not independently corroborated. No replacement inferred: higher-resolution alternative does not establish official successor
Recording mediaApproximately 12 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo (no enhanced PRO-HG transfer performance). No card suppliedApproximately 12 MB internal memory; Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo and PRO-HG Duo (no enhanced PRO-HG transfer speed). No card supplied
PortsCombined USB/A/V OUT terminal: Hi-Speed USB 2.0, mono audio and NTSC/PAL composite video. Exact instruction manual overrides UK archive A/V No template entry. PictBridge compatible; no external microphone inputCombined USB/A/V OUT terminal with Hi-Speed USB 2.0, mono audio and NTSC/PAL composite video. Exact manual overrides European A/V No template entry. PictBridge compatible; no external microphone input
Battery life detailSupplied NP-BK1 rechargeable lithium-ion pack: approximately 330 still images / 165 minutes CIPA at 25°C. Viewing claim 4800 images / 240 minutes is a separate playback test, not shooting enduranceSupplied NP-BK1 rechargeable lithium-ion pack: approximately 310 shots / 155 minutes CIPA at 25°C. Separate viewing claim 4800 images / 240 minutes is not shooting endurance
ChargingExternal BC-CSK or BC-CSKA charger supplied; USB is not listed as a charging method. Optional AC-LS5K mains adaptor separateExternal BC-CSK or BC-CSKA charger supplied, region-dependent; optional AC-LS5K mains adaptor separate. USB charging not listed
Dimensions93.1×55.7×23.8 mm width×height×depth, excluding protrusions93.1×55.7×23.8 mm width×height×depth excluding protrusions in exact instruction manual and European maker archive. Imaging Resource overview 25.9 mm thickness not used
Weight detail135 g body only in maker UK/Hong Kong tables; approximately 157 g including NP-BK1 battery pack and strap, etc. in exact instruction manual135 g body only in European maker archive; approximately 157 g with NP-BK1 battery pack and strap, etc. in instruction manual. Different reviewer weights are not substituted
In the boxNP-BK1 battery, BC-CSK/BC-CSKA charger (region-dependent), dedicated USB cable, A/V cable, wrist strap, software/handbook CD and instruction manual; Memory Stick Duo separateNP-BK1 battery pack, BC-CSK/BC-CSKA charger, dedicated USB and A/V cables, wrist strap, software/handbook CD and instruction manual; Memory Stick Duo separate

More comparisons