Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980

alaTest has collected and analyzed 133 reviews from magazines and websites. Comments about the portability and memory are generally positive. The design and battery are also mentioned favorably. Many are less positive about the features and exposure. Reviews are divided on the viewfinder.

image quality, battery, design, memory, portability

performance, screen, flash, exposure, features

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 85/100 = Very good quality.

See all Sony Digital Compact Cameras

Review analysis

(Based on 133 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (49% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (21% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (11% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (12% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (7% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

Image quality
  Show positive (30%)Show negative (10%)(Show all)
Battery
  Show positive (88%)None yet(Show all)
Performance
  Show positive (33%)Show negative (67%)(Show all)
Design
  Show positive (80%)None yet(Show all)
Memory
  Show positive (25%)None yet(Show all)
Responsiveness
  Show positive (29%)Show negative (14%)(Show all)
Portability
  Show positive (25%)None yet(Show all)
Flash
  None yetShow negative (33%)(Show all)
Screen
  Show positive (5%)Show negative (26%)(Show all)
Viewfinder
  Show positive (33%)Show negative (33%)(Show all)
More features

Showing 113 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 113 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (21)

Consumer review by:

Laxius Force is a fantastic title

 

Laxius Force is one of the best RPG. I love it!

Responsiveness, Design, Features

Expert review by:

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980

 

Well-designed interface and controls ; Very good battery life

Subpar image quality ; Uneven flash exposure

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Expert review by:

Cybershot DSC-S980

 

What's not to love about a $150 camera? The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 is a bare-bones but well-designed pocket camera that offers some nice-looking specs for the price: a 12-megapixel sensor, a 4X-optical-zoom lens ranging from 33mm to 132mm, digital...

Very good battery life Well-designed interface and controls

Subpar image quality Uneven flash exposure

Of course, image quality is very important in a camera, which is why we can't wholeheartedly recommend the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. Nevertheless, it is a nice, cheap option for an aspiring younger photographer, and it has basic, intuitive controls...

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Expert review by:

Review: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 digital camera

 

This well-designed pocket camera offers some nice-looking specs, but it offers lackluster image quality.

Those aren’t groundbreaking specs, but they hit many sweet spots for a sub-$200 camera. Alas, the cost-cutting measures needed to happen somewhere, and in the case of the DSC-S980, the trade-off is lackluster image quality

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Consumer review by:

Great Mothers Day Present

 

If you can find this bundle edition and/or just the camera, buy it. If your woman has been wanting a camera, this is the one to get.

This camera takes high quality pictures beyond its competition. Honestly, for $150 no company came remotely close to comparing. I bought it for my girl who uses it daily without any issues. Not to mention its a bundle pack which includes everything

Absolutely nothing is wrong with this camera

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Consumer review by:

Amazon review summary for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 95 user reviews of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other products on Amazon.com.

usability, battery, design, image quality, value for money

screen, flash

69% of reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

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Consumer review by:

Huge disappointment.... stick with a Nikon or Canon

 

I was looking for a replacement for my well-loved 2004 Nikon Coolpix point-and-shoot, which I've used for artistic photography, travel as well as everyday snapshots and had been very happy with but which was becoming outdated. At the store I was...

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Consumer review by:

Huge disappointment.... stick with a Nikon or Canon

 

I was looking for a replacement for my well-loved 2004 Nikon Coolpix point-and-shoot, which I've used for artistic photography, travel as well as everyday snapshots and had been very happy with but which was becoming outdated. At the store I was...

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Consumer review by:

Great Photos - HORRIBLE VIDEO!!!

 

The camera is fantastic ... as far as still photos go. As far as video ... don't waste your money. Terribly pixilated video, and the sound quality is way off. I'm so disappointed in the lack of video quality in this camera that I can't even put it into...

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Consumer review by:

Great Photos - HORRIBLE VIDEO!!!

 

The camera is fantastic ... as far as still photos go. As far as video ... don't waste your money. Terribly pixilated video, and the sound quality is way off. I'm so disappointed in the lack of video quality in this camera that I can't even put it into...

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Consumer review by:

Good for the price

 

I really love this camera because it's a definite upgrade from my 5 mega pixel camera. I wish the sound was better on the mic though. It feels so small and delicate I always feel I'm going to break it. Other than that I really like it. It takes great...

I really love this camera because it's a definite upgrade from my 5 mega pixel camera. I wish the sound was better on the mic though. It feels so small and delicate I always feel I'm going to break it. Other than that I really like it. It takes great...

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Product Specifications

Unlock your creativity with the 12.1 megapixels DSC-S980/P Cyber-shot digital camera. Offering an array of shooting modes and easy-to-use features, the S980 is equipped with SteadyShot image stabilization for reduced camera blur and also has high sensitivity ISO 3200 for better shots in low-light situations. This powerful point-and-shoot also features Face Detection and seven scene selections to help ensure you get the perfect shot.

Audio Input

Microphone Operation Mode:Mono
Type:Microphone

Battery

Battery Form Factor:Manufacturer specific
Manufacturer Battery Name:Sony NP-BK1

Camera Flash

Red Eye Reduction: Yes
Type:Built-in flash

Digital Camera

Digital Camera Type:Compact
Supported Flash Memory:Memory Stick Duo / Memory Stick PRO Duo

Dimensions & Weight

Depth:0.9in
Height:2.2in
Weight:4.8oz
Width:3.7in

Display (Projector)

Diagonal Size:2.7in
Diagonal Size (metric):6.9cm
Display Form Factor:Built-in
Technology:TFT active matrix
Type:LCD display

Exposure Parameters

Shooting Programs:Beach / High sensitivity / Landscape / Snow / Soft snap / Twilight mode / Twilight portrait

Flash Memory

Form Factor:Memory Stick Duo
Storage Capacity:2GB

Header

Manufacturer:Sony
Model:DSC-S980/DSC-S980/B/DSC-S980/P
Packaged Quantity:1
Product Line:Sony Cyber-shot

Lens System

Lens Aperture:F/2.5-5.6
Max Focal Length:23.2mm
Min Focal Length:5.8mm
Optical Zoom:4
Type:Zoom lens

Miscellaneous

Color:Black/Pink

Optical Sensor

Optical Sensor Size:1/2.3"
Optical Sensor Size (metric):11 mm ( 1/2.3 ) / 11 mm ( 1/2.3" )
Optical Sensor Type:Super HAD CCD
Sensor Resolution:12.1Megapixel

Optical System

Built-in Optical Image Stabilizer: Yes
Image Stabilizer:Optical (Steady Shot)/Optical (Steady Shot) / Electronic (Steady Shot)

Storage Floppy Drive

Type: None

Video Input

Digital Zoom:2
Face Detection: Yes
ISO (Max):3200
Light Sensitivity:ISO 100 / ISO 1600 / ISO 200 / ISO 3200 / ISO 400 / ISO 800 / ISO auto
Shooting Modes:Frame movie mode
Special Effects:Black & White / Sepia
Still Image Format:JPEG
Type:Digital camera

Viewfinder

Viewfinder Type: None
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