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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony S980

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Introduced April 2009
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
  • Introduced February 2009
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony S980 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Panasonic FS12 vs Sony S980, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the FS12 (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is pretty close and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The FS12 was announced 2 months later than the S980 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FS12 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 concise view of how the FS12 grades versus the S980 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Sony S980

 FS12 S980 

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Panasonic FS12

 S980 FS12 
Manually focus Very accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Sony S980

 FS12 S980 
IntroducedApril 2009February 2009Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FS12 comes with physical dimensions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Sony S980 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FS12 vs Sony S980 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using during that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the FS12 compared to the S980.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the FS12 and S980 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizing merely by researching specs. The visual here will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS12 and S980.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels therefore you should expect comparable quality of photographs but you should factor the production date of the cameras into account.

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS12
Portrait photography with Sony S980
21
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
27
focusing manually
no manual control
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FS12
Street photography with Sony S980
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
47
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Sports photography camera
Sony S980 as a Sports photography camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
17
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FS12
Travel photography with Sony S980
51
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S980 as a Landscape photography camera
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
27
focusing manually
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Vlogging camera
Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have external microphone support
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic socket
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Panasonic FS12 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Sony S980
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Category Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-04-17 2009-02-17
Physical type Ultracompact 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 surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 31-124mm (4.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 5cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.30 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync 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 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 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 129 grams (0.28 lb) 167 grams (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $228 $300