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Panasonic GH5S vs Sony S980

Portability
62
Imaging
50
Features
82
Overall
62
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Panasonic GH5S vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Panasonic GH5S
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 160 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 660g - 139 x 98 x 87mm
  • Introduced January 2018
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
  • Revealed February 2009
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Panasonic GH5S vs Sony S980 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Panasonic GH5S vs Sony S980, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the GH5S (10MP) and the S980 (12MP) is fairly well matched but the GH5S (Four Thirds) and S980 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor measurements.

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The GH5S was revealed 9 years after the S980 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GH5S being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a quick view of how the GH5S grades against the S980 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5S over the Sony S980

 GH5S S980 
RevealedJanuary 2018February 2009More modern by 109 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimension3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1620k230kClearer display (+1390k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Panasonic GH5S

 S980 GH5S 

Common features in the Panasonic GH5S and Sony S980

 GH5S S980 
Focus manually Dial precise focus

Panasonic GH5S vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera often, you have to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GH5S has got exterior measurements of 139mm x 98mm x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") along with a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic GH5S vs Sony S980 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use during that time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the GH5S compared to the S980.

Panasonic GH5S vs Sony S980 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the GH5S and S980 is 62 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic GH5S vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH5S vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizes simply by reading through technical specs. The image underneath should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the GH5S and S980.

As you have seen, both cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The GH5S with its larger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Sony S980 will give you extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos much more aggressively. The fresher GH5S is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic GH5S vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH5S vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH5S vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH5S Portrait photography info
Sony S980 Portrait photography info
62
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
27
you can focus manually
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GH5S
Street photography with Sony S980
68
screen articulates
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
offers focus via touch
environment proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
47
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GH5S
Sports photography with Sony S980
56
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/16,000s)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
has no phase detect autofocus
17
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH5S Travel photography features
Sony S980 Travel photography features
61
environment proofing
has bluetooth
offers focus via touch
screen is selfie friendly
missing Time Lapse function
resolution not great (10MP)
51
built-in flash
missing Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH5S Landscape photography info
Sony S980 Landscape photography info
63
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
does not have low pass filter
good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse function
27
you can focus manually
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH5S Vlogging highlights
Sony S980 Vlogging highlights
68
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
has face detect autofocus
good video quality (4096 x 2160 pixels)
includes mic jack
does not have image stabilization
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone socket
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Panasonic GH5S vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH5S and Sony S980
 Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5SSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2018-01-08 2009-02-17
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine 10 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3680 x 2760 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 51200 3200
Max enhanced ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 160 80
RAW files
Minimum enhanced ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 225 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range - 10cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2" 2.7"
Resolution of display 1,620k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,680k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 2 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1600 secs
Max quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 12.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 3.50 m
Flash modes 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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 660 grams (1.46 lbs) 167 grams (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 139 x 98 x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") 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 440 photos -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model DMW-BLF19 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, 10 secs w/3 images) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC cards (UHS-II V60 cards supported) Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Dual Single
Retail price $2,498 $300