Panasonic FP1 vs Sony S980
95 Imaging
35 Features
13 Overall
26


94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Panasonic FP1 vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
- 151g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
- Introduced January 2010
(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
- Released February 2009

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony S980 Overview
Its time to look closer at the Panasonic FP1 and Sony S980, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FP1 (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The FP1 was introduced 11 months after the S980 so they are of a similar age. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FP1 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.
Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the FP1 matches up versus the S980 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony S980 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The whole galleries are viewable at Panasonic FP1 Gallery & Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FP1 over the Sony S980
FP1 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2010 | ![]() | February 2009 | Newer by 11 months |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Panasonic FP1
S980 | FP1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus |
Common features in the Panasonic FP1 and Sony S980
FP1 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Equal screen measurements |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | The same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch screen |
Panasonic FP1 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to travel with your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FP1 has got physical dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") with a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs) while the Sony S980 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Examine the Panasonic FP1 and Sony S980 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at that moment. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the FP1 vs the S980.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FP1 and S980 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it can be tough to picture the difference between sensor dimensions just by checking technical specs. The pic below might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the FP1 and S980.
As you have seen, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same MP so you can expect similar quality of images but you should always consider the age of the products into consideration. The younger FP1 should have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP1 vs Sony S980 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
Type | Ultracompact | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2010-01-06 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | Ultracompact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | 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 surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 12MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 35-140mm (4.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focusing distance | 10cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 2.7 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
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 speed | 6.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.90 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 | ||
AEB | ||
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 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max 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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 151 grams (0.33 lb) | 167 grams (0.37 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") | 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 | ||
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 | Single | Single |
Cost at release | $153 | $300 |