Panasonic FP3 vs Sony S980
95 Imaging
37 Features
25 Overall
32
94 Imaging
35 Features
17 Overall
27
Panasonic FP3 vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
- 155g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
- Launched 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
- Launched February 2009
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing Panasonic FP3 vs Sony S980 Overview
Lets look a bit more closely at the Panasonic FP3 vs Sony S980, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FP3 (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is relatively similar and both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe FP3 was revealed 11 months after the S980 which means that they are of a similar age. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FP3 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.
Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick overview of how the FP3 scores against the S980 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images Panasonic FP3 vs Sony S980 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The full galleries are viewable at Panasonic FP3 Gallery & Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FP3 over the Sony S980
| FP3 | S980 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | January 2010 |  | February 2009 | More modern by 11 months |
| Screen dimensions | 3" |  | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
| Touch friendly screen |  | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Panasonic FP3
| S980 | FP3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus |  | Very precise focus |
Common features in the Panasonic FP3 and Sony S980
| FP3 | S980 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed screen |
| Screen resolution | 230k |  | 230k | Exact same screen resolution |
| Selfie screen |  | Neither includes selfie screen |
Panasonic FP3 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic FP3 features outer dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) while the Sony S980 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Take a look at the Panasonic FP3 vs Sony S980 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select during that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the FP3 compared to the S980.
Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FP3 and S980 is 95 and 94 respectively.
Panasonic FP3 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is very tough to see the gap between sensor sizes merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The pic here should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the FP3 and S980.
As you can see, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Panasonic FP3 to deliver greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures more aggressively. The more recent FP3 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.
Panasonic FP3 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder
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Panasonic FP3 vs Sony S980 Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Panasonic | Sony |
| Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
| Class | Ultracompact | Small Sensor Compact |
| Launched | 2010-01-06 | 2009-02-17 |
| Physical type | Ultracompact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | 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 | 14 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
| Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW support | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection focus | ||
| Contract detection focus | ||
| Phase detection focus | ||
| Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 35-140mm (4.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
| Max aperture | f/3.5-5.9 | f/3.3-5.2 |
| Macro focus distance | 10cm | 10cm |
| Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen size | 3" | 2.7" |
| Screen resolution | 230k dots | 230k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 60 seconds | 2 seconds |
| Max shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
| Continuous shutter rate | 5.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | 4.90 m | 3.50 m |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| 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) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
| Video file format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
| Microphone 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 | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 155 gr (0.34 lb) | 167 gr (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 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 | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
| Card slots | One | One |
| Cost at release | $182 | $300 |
