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Panasonic FH6 vs Sony S980

Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Panasonic FH6 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Panasonic FH6
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 119g - 96 x 56 x 20mm
  • Revealed January 2012
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
  • Released February 2009
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Panasonic FH6 vs Sony S980 Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Panasonic FH6 vs Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FH6 (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is very comparable and they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FH6 was introduced 2 years after the S980 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the FH6 grades against the S980 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH6 over the Sony S980

 FH6 S980 
ReleasedJanuary 2012February 2009Newer by 36 months

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Panasonic FH6

 S980 FH6 
Manually focus More precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic FH6 and Sony S980

 FH6 S980 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension2.7"2.7"Identical display size
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Panasonic FH6 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FH6 provides outer dimensions of 96mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 119 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Sony S980 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FH6 vs Sony S980 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the FH6 versus the S980.

Panasonic FH6 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FH6 and S980 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FH6 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH6 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions only by going through a spec sheet. The pic here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH6 and S980.

As you can see, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic FH6 to produce greater detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images much more aggressively. The more recent FH6 should have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FH6 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH6 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH6 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH6 Portrait photography info
Sony S980 Portrait photography info
34
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
features face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
27
you can focus manually
manual mode not available
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH6 as a Street photography camera
Sony S980 as a Street photography camera
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (119g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
47
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FH6
Sports photography with Sony S980
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
great battery power (280 per charge)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
17
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH6 Travel photography information
Sony S980 Travel photography information
71
great battery power (280 CIPA)
lighter than others (119g)
resolution is good (14MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
51
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FH6
Landscape photography with Sony S980
41
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
great battery power (280 shots)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
27
you can focus manually
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH6 Vlogging highlights
Sony S980 Vlogging highlights
33
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
lighter than others (119g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic socket
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic support
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Panasonic FH6 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH6 and Sony S980
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-01-09 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 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.5-6.4 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 5cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.60 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 119 gr (0.26 pounds) 167 gr (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 56 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 280 pictures -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $129 $300