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Panasonic FH3 vs Sony S980

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Panasonic FH3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 165g - 98 x 55 x 24mm
  • Launched January 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FS11
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 FH3 vs Sony S980 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Panasonic FH3 versus Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FH3 (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is very close and they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The FH3 was announced 11 months later than the S980 so they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a in-depth comparison, below is a concise summation of how the FH3 matches up vs the S980 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH3 over the Sony S980

 FH3 S980 
LaunchedJanuary 2010February 2009Fresher by 11 months

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Panasonic FH3

 S980 FH3 
Manually focus Dial exact focus

Common features in the Panasonic FH3 and Sony S980

 FH3 S980 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension2.7"2.7"Identical display measurements
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic FH3 offers exterior measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has specifications 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 FH3 versus Sony S980 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the FH3 and the S980.

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FH3 and S980 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing only by viewing technical specs. The visual here will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the FH3 and S980.

As you have seen, both of those cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic FH3 to render extra detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will let you crop pics much more aggressively. The fresher FH3 will have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH3 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FH3
Portrait photography with Sony S980
28
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
27
you can focus manually
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH3 as a Street photography camera
Sony S980 as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
47
no moving screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FH3
Sports photography with Sony S980
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
17
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Travel photography details
Sony S980 Travel photography details
64
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH3 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S980 as a Landscape photography camera
37
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
27
you can focus manually
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Vlogging factors
Sony S980 Vlogging factors
29
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic jack
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic support
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Panasonic FH3 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH3 and Sony S980
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Also called Lumix DMC-FS11 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-01-06 2009-02-17
Physical type 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 14MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 5cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 165g (0.36 lbs) 167g (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 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
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $160 $300