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Panasonic FP5 vs Sony S980

Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Panasonic FP5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 141g - 101 x 59 x 18mm
  • Released January 2011
Sony S980
(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
  • Revealed February 2009
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Panasonic FP5 vs Sony S980 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Panasonic FP5 vs Sony S980, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the FP5 (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is relatively close and both cameras posses the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The FP5 was manufactured 23 months after the S980 which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FP5 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief overview of how the FP5 matches up versus the S980 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP5 over the Sony S980

 FP5 S980 
RevealedJanuary 2011February 2009Newer by 23 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Panasonic FP5

 S980 FP5 
Manually focus Very exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic FP5 and Sony S980

 FP5 S980 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera often, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FP5 provides exterior measurements of 101mm x 59mm x 18mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7") having a weight of 141 grams (0.31 lbs) while the Sony S980 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FP5 vs Sony S980 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the FP5 versus the S980.

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the FP5 and S980 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by researching specs. The pic below should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the FP5 and S980.

All in all, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can count on the Panasonic FP5 to result in greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs more aggressively. The more modern FP5 provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP5 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP5 Portrait photography factors
Sony S980 Portrait photography factors
33
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
has face detect focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
27
has manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP5 Street photography information
Sony S980 Street photography information
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch to focus
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
47
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP5 Sports photography features
Sony S980 Sports photography features
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
has tracking focus
good battery life (260 per charge)
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
17
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP5 Travel photography highlights
Sony S980 Travel photography highlights
65
good battery life (260 per charge)
boasts touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP5 Landscape photography advice
Sony S980 Landscape photography advice
40
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
good battery life (260 CIPA)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
27
has manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FP5
Vlogging with Sony S980
30
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic support
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Panasonic FP5 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP5 and Sony S980
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Category Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-01-05 2009-02-17
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IV -
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 surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 10cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT Touch Screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 2 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.90 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB 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), 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 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 141 grams (0.31 lb) 167 grams (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 101 x 59 x 18mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Battery life 260 photographs -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $199 $300