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Panasonic TS4 vs Sony S980

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Panasonic TS4 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Panasonic TS4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 197g - 103 x 64 x 27mm
  • Introduced January 2012
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FT4
  • Replaced the Panasonic TS3
  • Renewed by Panasonic TS5
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
  • Launched February 2009
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Panasonic TS4 vs Sony S980 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Panasonic TS4 vs Sony S980, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the TS4 (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is pretty close and both cameras offer the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The TS4 was unveiled 2 years later than the S980 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a concise overview of how the TS4 matches up versus the S980 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic TS4 over the Sony S980

 TS4 S980 
LaunchedJanuary 2012February 2009Fresher by 36 months

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Panasonic TS4

 S980 TS4 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic TS4 and Sony S980

 TS4 S980 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen size
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Panasonic TS4 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera, you should consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic TS4 offers exterior measurements of 103mm x 64mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") with a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic TS4 vs Sony S980 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the TS4 vs the S980.

Panasonic TS4 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TS4 and S980 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic TS4 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic TS4 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizing merely by researching technical specs. The graphic here will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the TS4 and S980.

As you have seen, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same MP so you should expect comparable quality of photographs although you will need to factor the release date of the cameras into account. The newer TS4 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic TS4 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Panasonic TS4 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic TS4 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic TS4 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S980 as a Portrait photography camera
21
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
27
manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic TS4 Street photography info
Sony S980 Street photography info
61
image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
47
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic TS4 Sports photography advice
Sony S980 Sports photography advice
37
image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
environment proof
good battery power (310 per charge)
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300 seconds)
max frames per second low (4.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
17
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic TS4 Travel photography highlights
Sony S980 Travel photography highlights
66
good battery power (310 shots)
environment proof
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic TS4 Landscape photography highlights
Sony S980 Landscape photography highlights
41
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
good battery power (310 per charge)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
27
manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic TS4 Vlogging highlights
Sony S980 Vlogging highlights
31
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic socket
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic socket
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Panasonic TS4 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic TS4 and Sony S980
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Alternate name Lumix DMC-FT4 -
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-01-31 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD -
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 surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-128mm (4.6x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1300s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 197 grams (0.43 lbs) 167 grams (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 103 x 64 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" 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 310 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $399 $300