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Panasonic FX90 vs Sony S980

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Panasonic FX90 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Panasonic FX90
(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
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
  • Released February 2009
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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").

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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.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX90 over the Sony S980

 FX90 S980 
ReleasedAugust 2011February 2009Fresher by 31 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic FX90 vs Sony S980 size comparison

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

Panasonic FX90 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX90 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX90 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX90 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S980 as a Portrait photography camera
21
no manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
27
you can focus manually
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX90 Street photography information
Sony S980 Street photography information
62
image stabilization (Optical)
boasts focus via touch
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
47
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX90 Sports photography info
Sony S980 Sports photography info
30
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
low frames per second (4.0 fps)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (200 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
17
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX90 as a Travel photography camera
Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
60
boasts focus via touch
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
bad battery power (200 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.5)
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX90 Landscape photography information
Sony S980 Landscape photography information
36
fairly wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.5)
no manual exposure
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
bad battery power (200 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
27
you can focus manually
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX90 as a Vlogging camera
Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
33
fairly wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f2.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
lack of mic port
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone jack
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Panasonic FX90 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX90 and Sony S980
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90Sony 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