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Panasonic FH2 vs Sony S980

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Panasonic FH2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Released January 2011
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS16
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
  • Launched February 2009
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony S980 Overview

Below, we are comparing the Panasonic FH2 vs Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FH2 (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is very similar and they feature the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FH2 was manufactured 23 months after the S980 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the FH2 scores versus the S980 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH2 over the Sony S980

 FH2 S980 
LaunchedJanuary 2011February 2009Newer by 23 months

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Panasonic FH2

 S980 FH2 
Manual focus More precise focusing

Common features in the Panasonic FH2 and Sony S980

 FH2 S980 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension2.7"2.7"Identical display size
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic FH2 has got external measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") with a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) while the Sony S980 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FH2 vs Sony S980 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the FH2 vs the S980.

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the FH2 and S980 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing specifications. The image here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the FH2 and S980.

To sum up, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic FH2 to offer you more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics much more aggressively. The more recent FH2 provides an edge in sensor tech.

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH2 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH2 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S980 as a Portrait photography camera
33
MP count good (14 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
27
has manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH2 as a Street photography camera
Sony S980 as a Street photography camera
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus by touch
lighter than average in class (121g)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
47
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH2 as a Sports photography camera
Sony S980 as a Sports photography camera
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
great battery pack (270 shots)
slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
17
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH2 Travel photography features
Sony S980 Travel photography features
72
great battery pack (270 CIPA)
lighter than average in class (121 grams)
supports focus by touch
MP count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse function
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
51
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse recording
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH2 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S980 as a Landscape photography camera
41
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
great battery pack (270 CIPA)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
27
has manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH2 Vlogging highlights
Sony S980 Vlogging highlights
32
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
lighter than average in class (121 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone socket
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone port
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Panasonic FH2 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH2 and Sony S980
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Also called as Lumix DMC-FS16 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-01-05 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IV -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 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 resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.5 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 2 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.30 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 121g (0.27 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 270 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $149 $300