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Panasonic G9 vs Sony S980

Portability
62
Imaging
60
Features
90
Overall
72
Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Panasonic G9 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Panasonic G9
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 658g - 137 x 97 x 92mm
  • Revealed November 2017
Sony S980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Introduced February 2009
Photography Glossary

Panasonic G9 vs Sony S980 Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Panasonic G9 vs Sony S980, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Sony. There exists a huge gap between the image resolutions of the G9 (20MP) and S980 (12MP) and the G9 (Four Thirds) and S980 (1/2.3") possess different sensor sizing.

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The G9 was revealed 8 years after the S980 which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic G9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a in depth comparison, below is a simple view of how the G9 scores vs the S980 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G9 over the Sony S980

 G9 S980 
IntroducedNovember 2017February 2009More modern by 107 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1040k230kCrisper display (+810k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Panasonic G9

 S980 G9 

Common features in the Panasonic G9 and Sony S980

 G9 S980 
Manual focus Dial precise focus

Panasonic G9 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic G9 enjoys external measurements of 137mm x 97mm x 92mm (5.4" x 3.8" x 3.6") with a weight of 658 grams (1.45 lbs) while the Sony S980 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic G9 vs Sony S980 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the G9 compared to the S980.

Panasonic G9 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the G9 and S980 is 62 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic G9 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G9 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very hard to picture the difference between sensor sizes merely by checking a spec sheet. The picture here will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the G9 and S980.

Clearly, the 2 cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The G9 having a larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field simpler and the Panasonic G9 will resolve greater detail because of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a little more aggressively. The younger G9 provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic G9 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G9 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G9 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G9 Portrait photography advice
Sony S980 Portrait photography advice
76
manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
supports RAW formats
27
has manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G9 Street photography factors
Sony S980 Street photography factors
75
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
provides focus via touch
environment proof
above average ISO range (25,600)
47
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G9 Sports photography info
Sony S980 Sports photography info
70
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (20.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
bad battery pack (400 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
17
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G9 Travel photography highlights
Sony S980 Travel photography highlights
70
environment proof
supports bluetooth
provides focus via touch
resolution is good (20MP)
selfie friendly display
bad battery pack (400 CIPA)
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G9 Landscape photography information
Sony S980 Landscape photography information
76
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
no low pass filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
two card slots
bad battery pack (400 CIPA)
27
has manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G9 Vlogging details
Sony S980 Vlogging details
76
selfie friendly display
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have mic socket
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
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Panasonic G9 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G9 and Sony S980
 Panasonic Lumix DC-G9Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2017-11-08 2009-02-17
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 225 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance - 10cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,680k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.83x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Max silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 20.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 658 gr (1.45 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 137 x 97 x 92mm (5.4" x 3.8" x 3.6") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 400 photos -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model DMW-BLF19 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported) Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 2 Single
Price at release $1,500 $300