Panasonic TS4 vs Sony S980
92 Imaging
35 Features
33 Overall
34
94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Panasonic TS4 vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(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
(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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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").
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe 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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This is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The full galleries are available at Panasonic TS4 Gallery and Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic TS4 over the Sony S980
| TS4 | S980 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | January 2012 | February 2009 | Fresher 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 type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen dimensions | 2.7" | 2.7" | Equal screen size | |
| Screen resolution | 230k | 230k | Same 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.
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.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TS4 and S980 is 92 and 94 respectively.
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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Panasonic TS4 vs Sony S980 Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 | Sony 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 |