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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony S980

Portability
94
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Released January 2014
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
  • Announced February 2009
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony S980 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Panasonic SZ8 versus Sony S980, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Sony. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the SZ8 (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was released 4 years later than the S980 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the SZ8 grades against the S980 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Sony S980

 SZ8 S980 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014February 2009Fresher by 60 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Panasonic SZ8

 S980 SZ8 
Manual focus More accurate focusing

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Sony S980

 SZ8 S980 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera often, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ8 features outer dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Sony S980 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic SZ8 versus Sony S980 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the SZ8 against the S980.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ8 and S980 is 94 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizing simply by reading specs. The graphic underneath will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ8 and S980.

All in all, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You should count on the Panasonic SZ8 to offer extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The newer SZ8 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ8
Portrait photography with Sony S980
34
good MP (16MP)
has face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
27
has manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography info
Sony S980 Street photography info
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (159g)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
47
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
Sports photography with Sony S980
33
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery power (200 per charge)
no phase detect AF
17
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ8
Travel photography with Sony S980
67
lighter than competition (159 grams)
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
long reach (288mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low battery power (200 per charge)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
51
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography details
Sony S980 Landscape photography details
41
quite wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
low battery power (200 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
27
has manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging details
Sony S980 Vlogging details
32
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
lighter than competition (159g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic port
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Sony S980
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2014-01-06 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine -
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 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-288mm (12.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range - 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.20 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 159 gr (0.35 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 pictures -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $275 $300