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Panasonic S1R vs Sony S980

Portability
54
Imaging
79
Features
84
Overall
81
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Panasonic S1R vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Panasonic S1R
(Full Review)
  • 47MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1020g - 149 x 110 x 97mm
  • Launched February 2019
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
  • Announced February 2009
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Panasonic S1R vs Sony S980 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Panasonic S1R versus Sony S980, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the S1R (47MP) and S980 (12MP) and the S1R (Full frame) and S980 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The S1R was manufactured 10 years after the S980 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic S1R being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a full comparison, here is a simple summation of how the S1R matches up against the S980 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S1R over the Sony S980

 S1R S980 
AnnouncedFebruary 2019February 2009Newer by 122 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution2100k230kSharper display (+1870k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Panasonic S1R

 S980 S1R 

Common features in the Panasonic S1R and Sony S980

 S1R S980 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic S1R vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic S1R offers physical measurements of 149mm x 110mm x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") having a weight of 1020 grams (2.25 lbs) while the Sony S980 has specifications 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 S1R versus Sony S980 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the S1R and the S980.

Panasonic S1R vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the S1R and S980 is 54 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic S1R vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1R vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to envision the gap in sensor dimensions merely by researching a spec sheet. The pic underneath might provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the S1R and S980.

As you can see, the 2 cameras have different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The S1R due to its larger sensor will make achieving bokeh simpler and the Panasonic S1R will provide you with more detail due to its extra 35MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The newer S1R is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Panasonic S1R vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1R vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1R vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S1R as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S980 as a Portrait photography camera
87
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/320s)
great sensor resolution (47MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW files
27
focusing manually
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S1R Street photography features
Sony S980 Street photography features
71
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
features touch focus
environment sealing
good ISO range (25,600)
more heavy than others in class (1,020g)
47
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S1R Sports photography features
Sony S980 Sports photography features
78
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/16,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor resolution (47 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
terrible battery life (360 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
17
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S1R Travel photography information
Sony S980 Travel photography information
60
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
features touch focus
great sensor resolution (47 megapixels)
terrible battery life (360 shots)
more heavy than others in class (1,020g)
does not have selfie friendly screen
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse recording
low MP (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S1R Landscape photography info
Sony S980 Landscape photography info
82
manual focus
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor resolution (47MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
no low pass filter
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
terrible battery life (360 CIPA)
27
focusing manually
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1R as a Vlogging camera
Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
32
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with microphone jack
does not have selfie friendly screen
more heavy than others in class (1,020g)
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic socket
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Panasonic S1R vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1R and Sony S980
 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1RSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2019-02-01 2009-02-17
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 47MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 8000 x 6000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 25600 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 51200 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 225 9
Lens
Lens mount type Leica L fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 33-132mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance - 10cm
Available lenses 30 -
Crop factor 1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2" 2.7"
Display resolution 2,100 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 5,760 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 9.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 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 w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/320 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1020 gr (2.25 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 149 x 110 x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 100 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 26.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 3525 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 photographs -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type - Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Two Single
Price at release $3,698 $300