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Panasonic FH20 vs Sony S980

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Panasonic FH20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 100 x 56 x 28mm
  • Released January 2010
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS30
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 FH20 vs Sony S980 Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Panasonic FH20 vs Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FH20 (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is fairly similar and both cameras posses the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FH20 was brought out 11 months later than the S980 and they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short view of how the FH20 grades versus the S980 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH20 over the Sony S980

 FH20 S980 
RevealedJanuary 2010February 2009More recent by 11 months

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Panasonic FH20

 S980 FH20 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing

Common features in the Panasonic FH20 and Sony S980

 FH20 S980 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display size
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic FH20 features exterior dimensions of 100mm x 56mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FH20 vs Sony S980 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the FH20 versus the S980.

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FH20 and S980 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to see the gap between sensor measurements purely by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic below may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the FH20 and S980.

Clearly, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Panasonic FH20 to deliver extra detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics more aggressively. The more recent FH20 is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH20 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FH20
Portrait photography with Sony S980
28
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
27
has manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Street photography details
Sony S980 Street photography details
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
47
fixed screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Sports photography information
Sony S980 Sports photography information
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
max fps very slow (5.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
17
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Travel photography info
Sony S980 Travel photography info
64
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse recording
does not have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Landscape photography details
Sony S980 Landscape photography details
37
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
27
has manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH20 Vlogging details
Sony S980 Vlogging details
28
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone port
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic jack
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Panasonic FH20 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH20 and Sony S980
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Also called Lumix DMC-FS30 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2010-01-06 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 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 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
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-224mm (8.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.80 m (Auto ISO) 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (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 file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 178 grams (0.39 lb) 167 grams (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 100 x 56 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") 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
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $179 $300