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Panasonic LS5 vs Sony S980

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
25
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Panasonic LS5 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Panasonic LS5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 126g - 97 x 62 x 27mm
  • Launched July 2011
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
  • Introduced February 2009
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Panasonic LS5 vs Sony S980 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Panasonic LS5 versus Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. The sensor resolution of the LS5 (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is very well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The LS5 was brought out 2 years later than the S980 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a simple summation of how the LS5 grades against the S980 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LS5 over the Sony S980

 LS5 S980 
IntroducedJuly 2011February 2009More recent by 30 months

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Panasonic LS5

 S980 LS5 
Focus manually More accurate focusing

Common features in the Panasonic LS5 and Sony S980

 LS5 S980 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension2.7"2.7"Identical display sizing
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Panasonic LS5 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic LS5 offers exterior dimensions of 97mm x 62mm x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Sony S980 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic LS5 versus Sony S980 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the LS5 and the S980.

Panasonic LS5 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the LS5 and S980 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic LS5 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LS5 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to visualise the gap between sensor measurements just by reading through a spec sheet. The graphic here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the LS5 and S980.

As you can see, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Panasonic LS5 to give more detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos much more aggressively. The newer LS5 will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Panasonic LS5 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LS5 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LS5 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LS5 Portrait photography features
Sony S980 Portrait photography features
33
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
27
focusing manually
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic LS5 as a Street photography camera
Sony S980 as a Street photography camera
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (126g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
47
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LS5 Sports photography highlights
Sony S980 Sports photography highlights
32
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (160 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
17
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LS5 Travel photography info
Sony S980 Travel photography info
65
lighter than average in class (126g)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (26mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
not so great battery (160 shots)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic LS5
Landscape photography with Sony S980
36
quite wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
not so great battery (160 per charge)
does not have Timelapse recording
27
focusing manually
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LS5 Vlogging highlights
Sony S980 Vlogging highlights
32
quite wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
lighter than average in class (126 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone port
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic support
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Panasonic LS5 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LS5 and Sony S980
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-07-21 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact 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 area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range - 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.60 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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)
Maximum 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 126 gr (0.28 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 97 x 62 x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") 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 160 pictures -
Type of battery AA -
Battery ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $294 $300