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Panasonic S3 vs Sony S980

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Panasonic S3 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 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
  • Revealed February 2009
Photography Glossary

Panasonic S3 vs Sony S980 Overview

Lets look closer at the Panasonic S3 versus Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is relatively well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S3 was released 23 months after the S980 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a short introduction of how the S3 scores versus the S980 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Sony S980

 S3 S980 
RevealedJanuary 2011February 2009More modern by 23 months

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Panasonic S3

 S980 S3 
Manual focus More exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Sony S980

 S3 S980 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Panasonic S3 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic S3 features external measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic S3 versus Sony S980 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the S3 versus the S980.

Panasonic S3 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S3 and S980 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizes purely by looking at specifications. The image underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the S3 and S980.

To sum up, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can count on the Panasonic S3 to resolve more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs much more aggressively. The newer S3 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic S3 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 Portrait photography highlights
Sony S980 Portrait photography highlights
28
resolution is good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
27
has manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Street photography camera
Sony S980 as a Street photography camera
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (117 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
47
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography highlights
Sony S980 Sports photography highlights
35
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
17
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S3 Travel photography highlights
Sony S980 Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than others in class (117 grams)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
51
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
low MP (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic S3
Landscape photography with Sony S980
38
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
27
has manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 Vlogging highlights
Sony S980 Vlogging highlights
31
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (117g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone socket
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone support
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Panasonic S3 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Sony S980
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-01-05 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine IV -
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 14MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.6 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 5cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 117 gr (0.26 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 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 250 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $110 $300