Panasonic S3 vs Sony S980
96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31
94 Imaging
35 Features
17 Overall
27
Panasonic S3 vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(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
(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
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").
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe 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.
Panasonic S3 vs Sony S980 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The complete galleries are provided at Panasonic S3 Gallery & Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Sony S980
S3 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2011 | February 2009 | More 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 type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
Screen dimension | 2.7" | 2.7" | Identical screen sizing | |
Screen resolution | 230k | 230k | Same 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.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.
Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S3 and S980 is 96 and 94 respectively.
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 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Panasonic S3 vs Sony S980 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | Sony 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 |