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Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony S980

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
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
  • Introduced February 2009
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony S980 Overview

In this write-up, we will be contrasting the Panasonic SZ1 and Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the SZ1 (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but they come with the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ1 was announced 2 years after the S980 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the SZ1 scores vs the S980 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Sony S980

 SZ1 S980 
IntroducedJanuary 2012February 2009Newer by 36 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Panasonic SZ1

 S980 SZ1 
Manually focus Dial precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Sony S980

 SZ1 S980 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ1 has got outside measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Sony S980 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic SZ1 and Sony S980 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the SZ1 and the S980.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ1 and S980 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions just by going over specs. The pic underneath will offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ1 and S980.

All in all, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should count on the Panasonic SZ1 to offer you more detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more modern SZ1 should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S980 as a Portrait photography camera
34
decent MP (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
27
focusing manually
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Street photography information
Sony S980 Street photography information
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (131g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
47
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ1
Sports photography with Sony S980
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
provides tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
17
slow fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
70
lighter than others (131g)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
51
flash built-in
missing Timelapse function
low MP (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography advice
Sony S980 Landscape photography advice
43
really wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
27
focusing manually
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging advice
Sony S980 Vlogging advice
32
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
lighter than others (131g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic jack
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone port
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Sony S980
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-01-09 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 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 4cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.60 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 exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 131g (0.29 pounds) 167g (0.37 pounds)
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 Overall 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 pictures -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at release $179 $300