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Panasonic LF1 vs Sony S980

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
55
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Panasonic LF1 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Panasonic LF1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400 (Raise to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-200mm (F2.0-5.9) lens
  • 192g - 103 x 62 x 28mm
  • Introduced November 2013
Sony S980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • 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 LF1 vs Sony S980 Overview

Lets look closer at the Panasonic LF1 and Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the LF1 (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is very well matched but the LF1 (1/1.7") and S980 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor sizing.

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The LF1 was unveiled 4 years after the S980 which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a more detailed comparison, below is a quick overview of how the LF1 grades vs the S980 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LF1 over the Sony S980

 LF1 S980 
RevealedNovember 2013February 2009Newer by 59 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Panasonic LF1

 S980 LF1 

Common features in the Panasonic LF1 and Sony S980

 LF1 S980 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Panasonic LF1 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera often, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic LF1 offers external dimensions of 103mm x 62mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs) and the Sony S980 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic LF1 and Sony S980 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have at that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the LF1 against the S980.

Panasonic LF1 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the LF1 and S980 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic LF1 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LF1 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by looking at specifications. The picture here might give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the LF1 and S980.

Plainly, each of the cameras offer the same exact megapixels but not the same sensor dimensions. The LF1 contains the larger sensor which is going to make getting bokeh easier. The more modern LF1 will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Panasonic LF1 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LF1 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LF1 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LF1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S980 as a Portrait photography camera
42
you can focus manually
has face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
can't use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
27
manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic LF1 as a Street photography camera
Sony S980 as a Street photography camera
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/1.7")
47
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LF1 Sports photography advice
Sony S980 Sports photography advice
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
no phase detect AF
17
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LF1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
64
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LF1 Landscape photography features
Sony S980 Landscape photography features
54
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
lack of Time Lapse mode
27
manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LF1 Vlogging factors
Sony S980 Vlogging factors
36
relatively wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic socket
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic support
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Panasonic LF1 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LF1 and Sony S980
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-11-26 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 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
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Max boosted ISO 12800 -
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-200mm (7.1x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.0-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 3cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 920 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 192 grams (0.42 lbs) 167 grams (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 103 x 62 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.1") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 211 not tested
Other
Battery life 250 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $500 $300