Panasonic FX90 vs Sony S980
95 Imaging
35 Features
34 Overall
34


94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Panasonic FX90 vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
- 149g - 102 x 56 x 22mm
- Announced August 2011
(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 FX90 vs Sony S980 Overview
Let's take a deeper look at the Panasonic FX90 versus Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the FX90 (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras have the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The FX90 was introduced 2 years later than the S980 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the FX90 grades vs the S980 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Panasonic FX90 vs Sony S980 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The whole galleries are provided at Panasonic FX90 Gallery and Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FX90 over the Sony S980
FX90 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2011 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 31 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Panasonic FX90
S980 | FX90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focus |
Common features in the Panasonic FX90 and Sony S980
FX90 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen |
Panasonic FX90 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
In case you're intending to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic FX90 provides physical measurements of 102mm x 56mm x 22mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 149 grams (0.33 lbs) while the Sony S980 has specifications 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 FX90 versus Sony S980 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the FX90 and the S980.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the FX90 and S980 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic FX90 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it can be hard to envision the gap between sensor sizing simply by checking specifications. The photograph here may give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the FX90 and S980.
To sum up, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same MP therefore you should expect similar quality of photographs but you really should take the production date of the products into consideration. The younger FX90 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FX90 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX90 vs Sony S980 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2011-08-26 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
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 | 12 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 23 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-120mm (5.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/2.5-5.9 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focus distance | 3cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of screen | 460k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 seconds | 2 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 4.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 5.90 m | 3.50 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 149 grams (0.33 lb) | 167 grams (0.37 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 102 x 56 x 22mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 0.9") | 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 | 200 images | - |
Type of battery | 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 |
Storage slots | One | One |
Pricing at release | $227 | $300 |