Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony S980
86 Imaging
47 Features
70 Overall
56


94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 80 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 3840 x 2160 video
- 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
- 327g - 112 x 69 x 42mm
- Revealed February 2018
- Alternative Name is Lumix DC-TZ95
- Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS70
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
- 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
- Launched February 2009

Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony S980 Overview
In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony S980, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the ZS80 (20MP) and S980 (12MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The ZS80 was released 9 years after the S980 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before going through a in depth comparison, below is a short summation of how the ZS80 matches up vs the S980 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony S980 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The complete galleries are available at Panasonic ZS80 Gallery & Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS80 over the Sony S980
ZS80 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2018 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 110 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+810k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Panasonic ZS80
S980 | ZS80 |
---|
Common features in the Panasonic ZS80 and Sony S980
ZS80 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing |
Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS80 features outer dimensions of 112mm x 69mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") with a weight of 327 grams (0.72 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Compare the Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony S980 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the ZS80 and the S980.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the ZS80 and S980 is 86 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it can be difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizes just by reading through specs. The image underneath may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS80 and S980.
All in all, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Panasonic ZS80 to give more detail as a result of its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs far more aggressively. The younger ZS80 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS80 vs Sony S980 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
Also referred to as | Lumix DC-TZ95 | - |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2018-02-18 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Venus Engine | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 20MP | 12MP |
Anti alias 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 | 3200 | 3200 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 6400 | - |
Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-720mm (30.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.3-6.4 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focusing distance | 3cm | 10cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Resolution of display | 1,040 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,330 thousand dot | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.53x | - |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 secs | 2 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Max quiet shutter speed | 1/16000 secs | - |
Continuous shutter speed | 10.0 frames per second | 1.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.60 m (with Auto ISO) | 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 | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 3840 x 2160 (30p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 3840x2160 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 327 gr (0.72 lb) | 167 gr (0.37 lb) |
Dimensions | 112 x 69 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") | 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 380 pictures | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported) | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Pricing at release | $448 | $300 |