• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 33.00mm - 132.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 224.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony DSC-S980 advantages over Canon 310 HS

  • Less expensive
    $149 vs $260 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.5 vs f/3.0
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 310 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Canon 310 HS advantages over Sony DSC-S980

  • More telephoto lens reach
    224 mm vs 132 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Wider angle lens
    28 mm vs 33 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 1 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.5 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Buy the Sony DSC-S980

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 310 HS

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent 28-224mm zoom range; 3-inch LCD with 461K-dots; Full HD movie mode; Good print quality; Fun to shoot.

  • Odd button/switch positions; Moderate chromatic aberration; Soft corners; Dim flash results; Below-average battery life.

  • Read our Canon 310 HS Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax P70

Sony DSC-S980
Pentax P70
  • $149
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Wider angle lens
  • Longer exposure

Compare Sony DSC-S980 vs Pentax P70

Canon 310 HS
Pentax P70
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Canon 310 HS vs Pentax P70

Compared to Pentax P80

Sony DSC-S980
Pentax P80
  • $149
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Wider angle lens
  • Longer exposure

Compare Sony DSC-S980 vs Pentax P80

Canon 310 HS
Pentax P80
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Canon 310 HS vs Pentax P80

Compared to Olympus FE-4020

Sony DSC-S980
Olympus FE-4020
  • $149
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $150
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Wider angle lens

Compare Sony DSC-S980 vs Olympus FE-4020

Canon 310 HS
Olympus FE-4020
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $150
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Canon 310 HS vs Olympus FE-4020

Compared to Olympus Stylus-7040

Sony DSC-S980
Olympus Stylus-7040
  • $149
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $206
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out

Compare Sony DSC-S980 vs Olympus Stylus-7040

Canon 310 HS
Olympus Stylus-7040
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • More dots on screen
  • $206
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels

Compare Canon 310 HS vs Olympus Stylus-7040

Compared to Samsung ST200F

Sony DSC-S980
Samsung ST200F
  • $149
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony DSC-S980 vs Samsung ST200F

Canon 310 HS
Samsung ST200F
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • HDMI out
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon 310 HS vs Samsung ST200F

Compare Other Cameras?