Nov 21, 2009Your source for the most comprehensive and informative digital camera reviews
Camera home > Camera Reviews > Sony Reviews > Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980Preview
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 A Preview includes basic specs and a brief description. (more)
  • Overview
  • Design
  • Operation
  • Optics
  • Exposure
  • Performance
  • Specs
  • Samples
Basic Specifications
Resolution: 12.10 Megapixels
Lens: 4.00x zoom
(33-132mm eq.)
Viewfinder: LCD
LCD Size: 2.7 inch
ISO: 100-3200
Shutter: 1-1/2000
Max Aperture: 2.5
Mem Type: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo
Battery: Custom LiIon
Dimensions: 3.7 x 2.2 x 0.9 in.
(93 x 56 x 24 mm)
Weight: 4.8 oz
(135 g)
MSRP: $149
Availability: 03/2009
12.10
Megapixels
4.00x zoom
2.7 inch
LCD
image of Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Front side of Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 digital camera Back side of Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 digital camera      

The latest in the company's S-series, the Sony S980 is closely related to the S950 model which was announced at the Consumer Electronics Show a few weeks ago. The Sony S980 looks to be a fairly straightforward resolution upgrade of the previous camera, as it will be based around a 1/2.33" SuperHAD CCD image sensor with 12.1 megapixel resolution, just slightly higher-res than the S950's 10.1 megapixel image sensor. This imager is coupled to a 4x optical zoom lens with equivalent focal lengths ranging from 33 to 132mm, while the maximum aperture varies from f/2.5 to f/5.6 across the zoom range. Macro focusing will be possible down to a minimum of five centimeters. The S980 will forgo any optical viewfinder in favor of a 2.7" LCD display with 230,000 dot resolution.

The Sony Cybershot S980 will be limited to a maximum ISO sensitivity of 3,200 equivalent, and will not offer true mechanical image stabilization, instead opting only for Digital Image Stabilization which functions by raising the camera's sensitivity (and along with it, the noise levels) so as to achieve a higher shutter speed and reduce motion blurring. The Sony S980 will also include face detection capable of identifying eight faces simultaneously, and will take into account the locations of detected faces when calculating autoexposure and autofocus variables.

Other features of the Sony DSC-S980 will include six scene modes, Motion JPEG AVI video, in-camera red-eye correction and image cropping, and a multi-function terminal that will cater for both USB / video output and DC input connections. The S980's 25.9mm thick body will be available in three colors - silver, pink and black. Pricing is expected to be in the region of $150, a $20 premium over the lower-res S950 model, with availability from March 2009.


Print the overview page for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 digital camera reviewPrint this Page

  • Overview
  • Design
  • Operation
  • Optics
  • Exposure
  • Performance
  • Specs
  • Samples
Bookmark/Share this review: Blinklist BlogMarks Del.icio.us Digg FeedMe Furl Google Ma.gnolia Mr.Wong MyWeb Netvouz RawSugar Reddit Scuttle Socializer StumbleUpon Spurl Yigg

Also Consider...

Click below for similar cameras from our Dave's Picks section.

image of Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 digital camera Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
10.1 megapixels, 4.00x zoom
$429.99
Check Prices!
Unique slim touchscreen with WiFi offers large storage, impressive connectivity

image of Canon PowerShot SD990 IS digital camera Canon PowerShot SD990 IS
14.7 megapixels, 3.69x zoom
$277.95
Check Prices!
First ELPH with full Manual mode delivers excellent prints

image of Nikon Coolpix S630 digital camera Nikon Coolpix S630
12.0 megapixels, 7.02x zoom
$243.79
Check Prices!
A 7x optical zoom with intelligent automatic features and 4-way VR Image Stabilization


Shopping for someone else? Try these other Dave's Picks categories:

All Around | Budget | Consumer SLR | Long Zoom | Macro | Mid-size | Professional SLR | Underwater/Tough

Imaging Resource Monitor Calibration Checker
Stay up to date with all the latest - Sign up for our free biweekly email newsletter!


Got BATTERIES?

Digicams eat batteries!
You need good rechargeable NiMH cells, and
Thomas
Distributing

has the best prices on the web. (You'll want at least 2-3 sets, plus a charger.) Check them out!

Free Photo Lessons

Check out the Free Photo School program for lessons and tips on improving your photographs!

Simple pro lighting and use tips let you snap stunning photos. Check out our free Photo School area!